Total pages in book: 193
Estimated words: 184001 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 920(@200wpm)___ 736(@250wpm)___ 613(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 184001 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 920(@200wpm)___ 736(@250wpm)___ 613(@300wpm)
Seeing Aurelia upset at the chilly reception, though, Seth’s soft ass is the first of us to crack, giving a reluctant, lazy wave. “’Sup, Tyler. I’m Seth. That’s Khalil and Thorin.” He throws a thumb at each of us. “Don’t worry about them. They just don’t like you very much. You’ll meet Zeke later, he’s sleeping right now. But if you’re a very good boy, you’ll never have to meet Bane.”
“Bane…” Tyler says before his voice trails off. “Wait, there’s five of you?” He glances at Aurelia, who just awkwardly rubs her nape.
“Yup,” Seth says without elaborating.
Westbrook will figure it out soon enough.
If it didn’t mean scaring the shit out Zeke—or Aurelia—I’d wake him up now just to see the smug fuck run in the other direction. I’m told he’s a pretty decent guy, but I don’t like anyone I wouldn’t die for sniffing around, and I just know that fucker used to have feelings for her.
How could he not?
Aurelia’s beautiful, smart, talented, and fearless…
I feel a little nudge inside my chest when I hesitate on her final quality that made me fall head over heels in love with her.
Loyal.
Aurelia’s loyal.
AURELIA’S NEW BODYGUARDS CAUSE AN ONLINE TRAFFIC JAM
3 days ago
By David Earnest | Off the Press
It’s no secret that Aurelia’s security—like the rest of her team—is a revolving door of new faces. After the shooting a few weeks ago, it comes as no surprise that she’s already flanked by new bodyguards, but when it comes to this new set, I think I speak for everyone when I say…meow. The trio are hot enough to incinerate a sidewalk, and if I had to choose anyone to guard my body, it would be these three, no question about it.
And while questions of who they are ripple across Aurelia’s internet, one can only hope that this new team is here to stay.
SETH
The three of us are still sitting on the couch when a team of people walks in carrying bags and boxes and talking among themselves. I memorize each of their faces and the sounds of their voices before dismissing them to return my gaze to Sunshine.
She’s talking with Oni, who led the pack, about something, and I really wish I could read lips because I don’t like the furrow in my girl’s brow. That shit gets deeper and deeper the longer they whisper heatedly about something. I’m getting ready to go over there when she sighs and mutters something that looks like, “Fine.”
“What’s up?” I ask the moment she’s within earshot.
“No more hiding,” she starts with, and it sounds ominous. “I’ve got meetings with lawyers and the label and then a maternity shoot. I won’t actually announce that I’m pregnant until after the baby is born,” she assures us when we all tense. “But my fans—what remaining I have—will want to see and I’d like to share this with them.”
“Okay,” Thorin says, taking it all in stride. “What do you need from us? When should we be ready?”
“Well… First, we have to talk about appearances. If you’re going to be my bodyguards, you have to look the part. That means uniforms.”
“I’m not wearing no damn tight-ass collar shirt and khakis like a jackass,” Khalil immediately fusses with a scowl.
It’s definitely a dig at Westbrook.
Aurelia glares at him for already forgetting her order to play nice, and he stares right back at her like he’s not sorry at all. “You’ll be wearing suits. Very nice tailored suits that the stylist did a great job picking out for you.”
“Not doing that either,” Thorin grunts.
“What’s wrong with our clothes?” I ask, worried she might be ashamed of us.
“Nothing,” Aurelia quickly assures us. “It’s just protocol. Most of the events I attend are closed to the public. They need to be able to tell you’re actually part of my security team and not—”
“Criminals,” Tyler coughs into his fist. “Stalkers. Psychos,” he coughs again.
“I’m so sorry to hear about your wife,” I respond with a tilt of my head. “Widowed so young. Such a shame.”
Tyler rolls his eyes at my thinly veiled threat. I’d omit the veil entirely, but Sunshine would only get upset.
“As I said, it’s protocol and temporary.” She gives Thorin, Khalil, and me a pointed look, reminding us that we won’t be her bodyguards forever. We’re just playing the part long enough to get near her uncle.
And then we’ll kill him.
“Here are the suits,” the stylist says as she lays them out. “Will the other two be joining us?” That’s when I realize there are five.
My gaze connects with Sunshine, and she winks at me. I don’t really want a suit but knowing Aurelia was thoughtful enough to make sure each of us—even Bane—have our own makes me want to do things to her that I’ve been told I’m not allowed to do when other people are in the room.