Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 101147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
“Torch it when you leave,” I order.
The sergeant stops, his face becoming a blank mask. “As you wish.”
“Keep me informed. I want to know the instant you have those twins in custody.” I turn off the monitor, and my office sinks back into gloom. I don’t bother with the lights nor do I open the blinds. I like the dark. It suits me.
A wave of stock numbers begins to crawl across the bottom of my monitor. The Dellacorp symbol flows by, along with a ridiculously huge number attached to it. My fists clench. Palgrave Industries is in the toilet stock wise, and it has been since the day my brother walked into the arena. The press got word that Kinsey Palgrave was fighting Beck Finn, and the company’s stock took a dive because no one believed Kinsey could best the Fae warrior king. The stock dove even further when news of Kinsey’s disappearance made the press.
No one believes I can handle the company the way my brother did.
Well, I’ll prove them wrong. I’ll bring Palgrave Industries back to its rightful place, and I will bring Dellacorp to its knees.
Starting with Dante.
Chapter Thirteen
Dante
My head pounds, the pain a sharp hammer beating a rhythm against my skull.
Fuck, I’m in trouble. How much Scotch did I have last night? It’s pretty much a blank, so I’m thinking it was a lot. A party? I remember climbing a really big tree and thinking that a dog was hot.
Yep, I’m going to rehab.
“Dante.” An annoyed feminine voice screeches my name.
“Mom?” I try to focus, but my eyes aren’t working. “Don’t yell. I know I’m in trouble, but I seriously need something for this hangover.”
“I am not your mother, Dante. Wake up!”
I feel something kick me. Hard
“Wake up, or we’re going to die!”
Whoever is yelling is big on the drama. My whole body aches. “Susie? Susie, don’t tell mom. And whatever you do, don’t tell Dad. He’s pissed enough as it is. Don’t tell him I got drunk and blacked out. Fuck, did the paparazzi catch me?”
“Oh, for god’s sake, it’s Meg.”
I force my eyes open. Meg. My brain starts to function again. What happened? I was with Meg, and there was a tremendously smelly mountain I had to climb and shoot through the eye, and I’m married. Holy shit. Yes, that last revelation sobers me up mightily. I’m married.
“Where’s Kaja?”
I focus, putting all my will into figuring out how screwed we are. I try to pull my hands up, but they’re held tight. My hands are tied behind my back, and my feet are bound as well. Not in a fun, sexy way either. I’m lying on the floor of a tent. I can’t see Meg. Where is Meg?
“I don’t know where Kaja is.”
I follow the sound of her voice, turning my head up and to the right. Meg was given the courtesy of a chair. She stares down at me, tension clear in her expression.
“Please tell me they didn’t kill her.” I’m sick at the thought. How long was I out? What terrible things had been done to Meg and my wife while I was sleeping?
The flap to the tent opens, and a shadow falls over us. Three mercenaries stride into the room.
“Who is this Kaja?” a cultured British voice asks. There’s a snap of his fingers, and I feel myself being hauled up to a seated position.
That’s when I see her. A brown wolf pokes her nose through the door and glides in on graceful paws. Lovely, undeniably feminine, and way smarter than I gave her credit for.
My Kaja.
“She’s just a girl I was fucking,” I say as though it really doesn’t matter.
The wolf growls.
“I don’t think she likes you,” the asshole mercenary says. His hand comes out to pet the wolf at his feet.
I feel like growling, too. “The feeling isn’t mutual. She’s gorgeous. Where did you find her?”
Kaja sits back on her haunches. I can practically feel her satisfaction. Vain little wolf. She knows she’s gorgeous.
“She was at the marketplace. She was close to you when you took the ogre down,” the man explains. “I thought she was yours.”
The fuckers hit me with a Taser. I can use that to my advantage. “I don’t really remember much about that fight.”
“That’s a shame. I would like to hear how you managed to defeat the creature.” The mercenary turns to Meg and bows deeply. “Your Highness. My name is Sergeant Major William Roan. I lead a small group of vampires who take on all sorts of jobs.”
“We call them mercenaries where I come from,” Meg replies.
“Ah, we have that in common then.” The vampire stands in front of Meg. “Are you feeling all right, Your Highness? I deeply apologize for the bindings. They are made from the finest silk, so they shouldn’t cut your delicate skin. Are you thirsty? I can have my men bring you anything you like.”