Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 53212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 266(@200wpm)___ 213(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 266(@200wpm)___ 213(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
“But your daddy wasn’t, sugar,” Gammy explains. “He was human. A regular guy with a regular job and a sweet, sweet smile. And because she was in love, your mama thought she could buck the rules—go her own way. And they killed her for it.”
“So…you’re saying the same people—vampires—responsible for killing Mom…want me?” Gammy’s frown is all the answer I need. My whole body shakes as I admit, “Gammy, you’re scaring me.”
“Time to be scared is long past, baby doll. This is the time to be brave. To fight. It’s the only chance you have. Because as soon as Rook took you as his mate—as soon as he followed the universe’s plan instead of theirs—baby, he set off a war like you’ve never seen.”
“A war. Over me.”
“And well, well beyond. This isn’t a disagreement, honey. This is a clear line in the sand that these men—honorable men like Rook and his brothers—aren’t going to let the elites have their way anymore. And that’s why you need to stick by Rook’s side now. He’ll protect you. He’ll keep you safe.”
My stomach drops. “This is almost too much to wrap my mind around.” I look between Gammy and Rook. “What does this mean for my life?” I shake my head back and forth. “My job? Oh my God. Martin is probably freaking out that I wasn’t at work yesterday. And he has a wife and kids and…and…and…” The more my mind races, the more my voice rises in discomfort. “And Alyssa. I don’t want anything to happen to Alyssa.”
“They’re safe,” Rook says. “I promise you, Kylie. They’re safe.”
“But you have to cut ties with them for now,” Gammy chimes in, and my chest grows tight with discomfort.
“Cut ties with them?” I question. “How the…I don’t even know—”
“I’ll handle it, dear,” Gammy says like it’s the simplest thing in the world to do.
“Gammy, you’re acting like it’s as easy as returning a horrible Christmas gift,” I retort. “Alyssa is my best friend. And Martin, well, I honestly don’t know how he’s going to survive the rest of tax season if I just disappear. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s already filed a missing persons report when I didn’t show up yesterday.”
“Dear, I’ve already spoken to Martin. He thinks you’re ill.” Gammy walks over to wrap me up in a tight hug. “I know this is a lot,” she whispers into my ear. “But remember, Kylie, this isn’t just for you. It’s for them, too. This is how you keep everyone safe.”
Tears prick my eyes. “And what about you?”
“Oh, honey,” she says and squeezes me tighter. “I’ll always be in your life. Maybe a little differently than we’re used to for now, but I’ll always be here.”
I stay in Gammy’s arms for a long moment, but eventually, my mind starts to catch up with the seriousness of this situation.
“What does this mean for you, Rook?” I ask, meeting his steady gaze. “That you intervened?”
And for a second, I see him. Not the vampire or the fighter, but the man who chose me.
“It means they won’t let this go,” he says. “It means I stepped in front of something powerful.” A small sigh escapes his lungs. “It means they’ll come.”
A chill crawls up my spine. “Come for what?”
“For me.”
His eyes lock with mine, and I see no fear or hesitation there. But goodness, the room feels smaller. Hell, I’m certain the walls are starting to close in on me.
“They want me dead, Kylie.”
The word dead doesn’t echo; it settles permanently into my bones. My heart starts to pound so hard and fast inside my chest, I can hear it in my ears.
But we just got each other yesterday, I think, panic slipping through the bond before I can stop it.
I know, baby, he answers inside my head, his voice steady and sure and calm in a way that’s hard for me to understand. And you are the best thing that’s ever fucking happened to me. But taking you was the equivalent of signing my warrant, he continues. Holland, his cronies, the elites behind them—they all want me dead.
His jaw tightens, but his gaze never wavers from mine. And his eyes show no ounce of fear.
But my entire body is quaking with fear.
Somewhere beyond the walls of Gammy’s house, some of the most powerful men in the world are deciding how to kill him.
Rook
The cabin sits where the road gives up. It’s located high in the mountains and far enough north that the air sharpens and the pine trees grow bigger and thicker.
This, right here, is deep New England wilderness, the kind people talk about but don’t actually go looking for.
We built this cabin ourselves years ago. Me, Kane, and Calloway. We hauled the beams, laid the foundation, and cut the forest back just enough to be able to reach the cabin but still keep it hidden. At the time, I thought we were just building a place to get away, someplace to allow ourselves to go completely off-grid.