Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
“I’m not asking for permission. I’ll go against the Osborns and Serena if needed.” Isabella again.
“Be reasonable,” a third masculine voice says. I want to say it’s Gavin, but I’m not sure.
“That’s like asking a shark not to bite.” There’s vague amusement in Preston’s voice.
“Izzy’s right.” A girl’s voice. “Let us do this our way.”
“Truly, I don’t mind. The crazier the better. Just give me time to prepare my popcorn,” Preston says. “Davenport?”
Though I’m not sure what the hell they’re talking about, I’m certain it’s about Vencor, and I find myself leaning closer with bated breath to hear Kane’s reply.
I suspected it before, but now I’m positive he has some leadership role. Not only as the head of the Vipers, but also their little group.
He’s the right path to follow, if only I weren’t so terrified of him.
A strong hand lands on top of my head. “What do you think you’re doing?”
I slowly look back and my gaze clashes with Jude’s glacial one. His eyes are so dark, there’s barely any light in them. He’s so tall and wide, he dwarfs the hallway and sends a shiver down my spine.
It might be because Jude was always the scariest—before I was introduced to Kane’s true colors—but I feel like he might actually crush my skull between his fingers just to spill my brains out.
He sure glares at me as if he wants to put me six feet under.
“I was looking for the ladies’ room,” I say as calmly as possible, proud of how confident I sound, considering the circumstances.
His upper lip lifts in either a snarl or a look of disgust—I’m not sure which—but he pushes the door open and shoves me inside.
I lose my footing and land on my knees on the decorative Persian carpet, but I manage to keep my purse on my shoulder.
“Found this one eavesdropping outside.” Jude strolls across the room and I instantly feel several pairs of eyes zeroing in on me.
Glaring.
Narrowing.
I raise my head and, sure enough, Kane is sitting on a large brown sofa, his arm stretched across the back. He’s dressed in a black jacket, pleated slacks, and sneakers. Only the white shirt offers a break from the dark-lord aura.
Isabella sits beside him, her arm draped in his, and her malicious eyes nearly drill a hole in my face. Her two friends stand behind her like dutiful guards, while Preston sits on the edge of the sofa. Gavin is lounging in a chair and Jude goes to stand by his side.
Seven pairs of eyes.
They all watch me closely. The room’s dim lighting casts a shadow of threatening intent on their features.
My skin tightens, heat erupting between my heart and rib cage.
All of a sudden, I’m transported to the initiation night when I was surrounded by five cloaked Members. The same Members who probably saw the sex I had with the man sitting in the middle.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Isabella’s friend, the one with silver highlights, asks.
I start to get up, trying and failing not to tremble. “I was looking for the restroom. It was a mistake—”
Before I can stand, Gavin jumps up and pushes me back down so hard, I gasp.
He shoves his shoe against my back, flattening me against the green-patterned beige carpet. “Haven’t you heard? There are some mistakes you pay for with your life.”
My lips part, but I don’t dare make a sound. Not even when I feel the sole of his shoe digging a hole in my back where the edge of my dress meets my skin. Or when my breasts hurt from being squashed into the floor.
I look up at Kane, and I don’t know why.
He’s never been on my side, and he’s made that clear countless times.
If anything, I should fear him the most.
There’s an icy calculating look as he looks down at me, as if I’m a bug he’s considering whether or not to squash.
“Now.” Preston smiles, but it’s dripping with malice. “Don’t go scaring Dalton. I still haven’t fucked her yet.”
“How about you do it here and now?” Isabella says with a viper-like grin as she strokes Kane’s arm. “Wouldn’t be her first time whoring around for the world to see.”
“I’m happy to join in,” Gavin says in a deep voice. “I wonder what made her so appetizing that Davenport refused to share.”
My eyes sting and I feel like anything I say will be a choked sob, so I bite my lip and remain silent.
It’s not like they’ll listen to my protests. I have to save my energy to be able to fight and escape.
Kane rises, forcing Isabella to get her claws off of him.
He doesn’t look at me as he calmly but decisively places a hand on Gavin’s shoulder and pushes him away.
I inhale large gulps of air and stumble to a standing position, hugging my purse close to my chest.