Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95196 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95196 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Silence. Long, agonizing seconds of total quiet, not even a rasp of his breathing detectable. Then he offered an emotionless, “And the reason for searching the subject that shall not be named, mythology, clothes, shoes and books?”
He seriously wasn’t going to toss me a bone disguised as a snarky comment, helping me unravel the mystery of his origins, the history of his relationship with Isobel, or the nuances of his personality? Well, two could play that game.
“Buh-bye.” I hung up on him and blew a kiss at the camera. “No answers for me, no answers for you.” With that, I set Thora on the floor and headed out. Once again, the fluff ball followed me.
“He’ll regret leaving me in the dark,” I told her. Callen had done the unthinkable. The impossible. He’d pricked my ire. I dealt with unruly children on the daily and not once had my temper ever flared. I mean, how dare he, right? Confusion was the devil’s playground. When you had light in your possession, you shared it. Keep it to yourself and get burned. His choice, his consequences.
But was he a berserker or not? Cheating on his wife or not? I was gonna find out, one way or another. Sooner rather than later.
As I stalked to Isobel’s room, Buzz and Ponytail slinked from the shadows to reclaim their positions. Thankfully, they didn’t trail me through the entrance. I sealed myself inside with Thora and keyed up how-to videos on my cell for overcoming locked doors. Nothing would keep me out of the only two rooms I hadn’t yet explored.
The first tutorial revealed a step-by-step method involving stealth and lock picks. The second showcased brute force. The last involved removing the door from its hinges.
That. I watched the short clip multiple times to ensure I understood what I needed to do. Leaving the phone behind, I exited the chamber without Thora and glared up at my guards. “Fetch me a hammer and a screwdriver. Now.” How was that for an Isobel impression?
They didn’t speak, glance at me, or obey. No matter. I moved on, hunting for a maid; the pair followed. “You. Stop,” I called to the first uniformed woman I spotted. “I need a hammer and a screwdriver as soon as possible. Please and thank you. I’ll be here, awaiting your return.”
“Aye, ma’am,” she squeaked and scurried off.
I studied the hinges on the door I intended to bypass. The biggest of the locked rooms. Did this lead to Callen’s private chamber? I refused to stop until I got inside and looked around.
He would find out what I’d done, of course, probably even before I finished. He’d be upset. But so what? Maybe he’d rage, proving himself a berserker. Maybe he wouldn’t. Either way, I’d have an answer about something.
A different maid arrived with the desired tools. The brave girl who’d brought me that amazing fruit smoothie. She wore the same uniform, but she’d slicked her dark hair into a tight bun.
“What do you plan to do with these?” she asked as she handed over the tools.
“Whatever I want,” I said with a smile. I crouched in front of the door and got to work, uncaring of my audience. Because yes, the trio remained, watching my every move.
Might as well take advantage of the situation. “What’s your name?” I asked the maid, banging away at a hinge. Metal clanged against metal.
“Mackenzie.”
Should Isobel have known that? Judging by her miffed tone, I’d guess yes. Well, in for a penny… I freed a hinge with an internal victory shout and focused on the next. “As you probably know, I’m a horror of a human with little regard for those around me. So. Remind me of the time we first met.”
“About two years ago, when you showed up at Mr. Bruce’s door, begging for his help,” she grated.
Isobel sought Callen’s aid near the same time Sorcha, the live-in girlfriend, disappeared? A mere coincidence? “Are we friends?” Something I’d learned with my students: it was far better to ask blunt, forth-right questions than hint around, confusing everyone.
“Nay.”
“Are there moments you don’t despise me?” I asked between strikes.
Silence. Meaning what? She didn’t want to admit the truth? I heaved a sigh. After removing the final hinge, I cupped the sides of the door and lifted. Oh wow, much heavier than I’d anticipated.
I wobbled, almost falling. Mackenzie rushed over at the last second to absorb half the weight, saving the day.
“Let’s forget what’s transpired between us in the past and move forward with a fresh start. We can grow to be friends.” Oh, how I needed a confidant right now.
More silence. Maybe she’d consider it? A girl could hope, anyway.
Together we positioned the door against the wall, the men never lifting a hand to help us. To their credit, they didn’t lift a hand to block us, either.