Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 58442 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58442 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
We say nothing for a long time.
“One of the things I like about you, Aurora, is the fact that we can just be together and I don’t need to say a word.”
“I like that too,” she admits. “It’s comfortable. Like when we were watching movies. We don’t have to talk to make it about ourselves. We can just… be. Is that part of chemistry too?”
“No idea. But whatever it is, I like it.”
She kisses my chest. “Me too. What are we going to do?”
“The storm will quieten down. The police will arrive. They’ll catch the killer. I’ll pay you. And then we’ll go on with our lives.”
“Will your grandma put you back in the will even if the Retreat was cut short?”
“The deal was she wanted to see me settled and happy at the Retreat. Here I am, settled, happy. I don’t see how she can deny it. If she does, I’ll have to accept it.”
“You’re spending half your life savings on me.”
“You’re worth every penny.”
“Maybe I should take a closer look at Grandma’s bills. What if she needs less?”
“Don’t,” I tell her firmly. “We had a deal. I’m sticking to it.”
“I didn’t know how much it was, though.”
“Push that guilt down, Aurora,” I tell her. “You and your grandmother have got it too hard for you to worry about this. If you don’t accept that money, I’ll get it to your grandmother anyway.”
“Thank you,” she says softly. “Not just for this. But for… understanding. Why can’t I let this go past this Retreat?”
She’s thanking me for stamping down on the only shred of feeling I can remember having for a woman.
“You’re welcome,” I say ruefully.
CHAPTER 21
AURORA
The next morning, I stand at the window, watching the rain streak down the glass. The wind batters the landscape, pushing the trees and the grass, knocking roof tiles onto the ground. Raiden walks up behind me, enveloping me in his arms so that I can sink against him.
“It looks like the police won’t be getting here this morning,” I murmur.
“No,” Raiden agrees. “The good news is that we’ve managed to contact the mainland. They know the situation. Hopefully, we’re dealing with an easily startled drunk idiot and not a master assassin.”
“An easily startled drunk idiot who cut the power before doing what they did?” I mutter.
“Fair point. But they also got the wrong man.”
Thank God, I almost say, but I’m giving myself whiplash. I can’t think about what I must be doing to him. It’s not fair to either of us.
“Grandmother has asked everyone to attend breakfast,” Raiden says.
I face him. He presses against the small of my back with his hands. I’ll never get tired of that warm… protected feeling he invokes. Even if it has to end.
Chill, Aurora.
“Why does it sound like you’re hatching a scheme?”
He cocks his eyebrow. “It does?”
“Hmm.”
“We’re going to tell everyone that the police are on the way,” he says, “and then we’ll see who panics.”
“I still can’t believe anyone would do this to you.” I walk my fingers along his chest. “Unless there’s something you’re not telling me? Some, I don’t know, feud? An ex-girlfriend with powerful connections?”
“I’m not a perfect person, but I can’t think of any reason why anyone would do this to me.”
“You swear?” I say.
“I swear, Aurora.”
“That means my instinct was right.”
“Oh yeah? What was your instinct?”
“That you weren’t a complete douchebag.”
He laughs warmly, moving in for a kiss. “I think you’re forgetting something…”
“Sir,” I whisper before he crashes his lips against mine.
Before we can get carried away, there’s a knock at the door. “Madam Blackwell requests all the guests to come for breakfast.”
“We’d better hurry up,” I mutter. “We don’t want to miss the show.”
I dress in jeans and a strappy top, something casual, which looks out of place with my mask. Raiden wears a T-shirt and khaki pants and puts on his mask. He offers me his arm. “Shall we?”
I link arms with him gratefully. The storm is still raging, but I’m not a scared kid. I’m not going to let it dominate me. Though I’d be lying if I said it didn’t upset me on some level, and that I’m not grateful for Raiden.
We gather in a large function room. Fifty or so people sit at the tables, the most I’ve seen in one room, all of us wearing masks. The waitstaff/ security stand around the edges, watching us all closely. Evangeline stands on a raised section, the only person in the room not wearing a mask, with a microphone in her hand.
Raiden leans into me. “When she gives the order, don’t look at her. Look around. See if you can notice anything or anyone suspicious.”
I squeeze his leg under the table. “Gotcha.”
Evangeline taps the microphone. “Esteemed ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention.”
Fifty-some masquerade masks turn to her. I look at her, but peer out of the corner of my eye to watch the people across from me. I’m determined to catch something, if there’s anything to find.