Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63866 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
“I’m busy at the moment being stalked by multiple men,” I remind them, making Tova giggle.
It is kind of funny but not. Ronan had to blow up his home. I thought it might be overkill, but both he and Zero said the plan worked. Cyberius is not only in the city but might also think I’m dead. That gives us time to hatch a plan. I'm not sure what the plan is for the endgame.
Death? Jail? Both make me uneasy. I don’t see the Marino family handing people over to the police. Zero might help the government with shit, but that’s different. A lot of times those threats could affect everyone.
There are a lot of people out there that would love to get their hands on Cyberius, I’m sure. To use him or to kill him. There are both, but he’s been good about never being caught, and that has to keep him out of the States.
If you don’t want to get caught on facial recognition, you stay your ass out of China and America. The States has the highest density of cameras per person. If they lock in on you, they can follow your tracks, and it’s damn hard to slip away from them. A lot of people stick to the city because you can move better, but it’s a double-edged sword.
Now Cyberius is here. Risky.
“This isn’t shocking to me. You know how to get them all worked up.”
“How do you know this?” I ask Tova.
“Come on, those boys are always trying to sweet-talk you when we play video games.” I roll my eyes at that. They would try to do the same for anyone they thought was a female.
“Because of my female voice. They’re all flirty until I shoot them in the ass.” Then they rage quit. That does always warm my heart, but not in the same way Ronan can warm it.
"I love how she pretends she's not into romance and love, but you two met in an online romance book club," Cosima says, her attention fully on my nails.
"They aren't real," I protest.
"Is your Ro real?" Cosima smirks.
"Whatever." I huff because she's right. "Blow my cover." If I pretended to hate romance in real life, then it would become true. It was bullshit. I was just sure I could never have it. That my life didn't have the space for that. Plus, no one ever piqued my interest. Until my Ro came along.
Now I can’t help but want all the hearts and flowers that I read about in those romance books. He changed the path I was on, making sure that no matter what, it would lead directly to him.
I fill them both in on what’s been happening. I even tell them more about my parents. I have given them some stuff, keeping parts of me hidden from everyone. It’s how I operate and all I know.
I want that to change because I want different things—no, scratch that. I have always wanted it, but I was scared to allow myself to try and have it. That fear is no longer present, and I don’t want to hide these things from my friends. I want them to know all of me. They have always been open with me.
"I get the love for romance," Tova says. "Your parents were in a sweet, deep love."
"He loved her something fierce."
Tova lays her head on my shoulder. "Love can hurt, but it's worth it."
"It is," I agree. I wouldn't have a year ago. I'd take just one day with Ronan if it’s all I could have. I would rather know the love he has for me and I for him even for that short period of time than never know it existed. I now understand why my father has never moved on. You can't.
Bear shifters and fated mates only live in the pages of our books, or so I thought. I'd bet everything that I was fated to Ronan.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
RONAN
Istand at the back door that leads out to the patio and down into one of the gardens on the property. The sounds of the girls’ laughter fill the air. Despite the situation with Cyberius, there is a sense of lightness here.
"It's sweet." My brother War comes to stand next to me. I nod in agreement. "You and your Marks should stay after everything settles." Even as War gives voice to the suggestion, I can see he's grappling with it.
He wants to make Tova happy, and the girls do that, but he also isn't a fan of sharing. In that, I understand.
"I'll leave that up to Ellie."
"How do they do it?" War asks next. Again, I know what he's really asking.
War has always struggled with emotion. I'm sure he believes I'm the same but not really. I'm just not expressive. I understand love and how it bleeds into your actions. That was what War had to piece together. All things aren't black and white. You'd think he would have gotten that long ago. We have always lived in the gray area.