Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 64571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 323(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 323(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
“The way I see it, we’re even at the moment,” I counter, barely hanging on to my control.
“Your Lily isn’t worth anything compared to Teddy.”
I glance over to the girl fixing her crown. “I don’t care whether you think she’s worth it or not. We trade.”
“How do I know you have her?” He knows I do, but I give him the bait.
“She tased me.”
Killian goes quiet, but Teddy doesn’t. “You kidnapped me! Of course I tased you, you, you—” Teddy stumbles to find her words. “Giant jerk-face! Not even the good kind of giant, like Killian.”
“You think there are good things about Killian?”
“You know what? I’m way richer than you, buddy, so maybe I’ll hire him to kill you.” She’s getting herself all worked up now.
“It appears you already have hired him. You’re just not paying with cash.” It’s a blow, but I’m pissed. They came into my home and are trying to take Lily from me.
“Don’t get all judgy about our situation,” Teddy snips back. “Glass houses over there and all. Just so you know, I’ve got lots of rocks, and I don’t mean diamonds, but I’ll use them too if need be.”
She keeps rambling on, and I debate gagging her, but there isn’t time. I catch a reflection in the mirror on the living room wall. Killian comes around the corner with a gun pointed right at me.
“Don’t move, and maybe you’ll live.”
I ignore him, my attention on Lily, who is standing behind him.
“It worked. I was keeping him distracted!” Teddy pops up from the couch.
“Lily, come here,” I order her, trying to not sound as angry as I am.
“No. I’m an adult, and I’m leaving.”
“You think you’re an adult? That you can just leave me?”
“Leave you? That doesn’t even—”
“Are you two done?” Killian interrupts. I take a breath, trying to get myself in check. I don’t fully trust myself right now.
“Killian, you can’t take her.” I try to reason with him. “You know I’ll track all of you down.” There will be nowhere they can hide. I found Killian; I’ll do it again.
“It’s no secret where we’ll be,” he tells me, like he’s trying to talk me into this.
“No.” I step toward him.
“You need to be real careful. The only person keeping you alive right now is Teddy.” She fucking tased me. “I planned to kill you after you insulted her.”
“You insulted Teddy?” Lily cuts in.
“I didn’t mean that she’s a prostitute.” I run my hand through my hair, frustrated on how to handle this.
“Sex worker,” both Lily and Teddy say at the same time.
“And that shit is work. Even when I’m on the bottom, I get worn out,” Teddy adds.
“Zolotse,” Killian warns, but there is no heat behind it.
“What?” Teddy shrugs. “I might be one of those pillow princesses.” Lily snorts a laugh.
“Killian—” I say again.
“Fix it and don’t make it worse,” he tells me and then pulls the trigger.
Chapter Ten
LILY
Why is it that I feel more lost than ever? I push my eggs around my plate; nothing has much taste anymore. It’s been two months since I came to live with Teddy. She’d never say this, but I’m starting to feel as though I’m overstaying my welcome. I mean, the place is massive; you could get lost if you go down the wrong hallway, but still.
Teddy’s estate reminds me of a castle that was plucked out of Italy and dropped in Colorado. It’s surrounded on most sides with stone walls and a fountain that never stops running and more bathrooms than you can count. Like, seriously, I was bored and tried to count them. I still don’t have a solid number of how many.
I mostly stay in the same three spaces: my bedroom, the kitchen, and the library with the window seat that looks out at the mountains. Sometimes I get the urge to go explore. But where would I go? What the hell would I even do?
Why didn’t Tristan chase me? That’s the real question that lingers in my mind. What happened to all that intensity he had when we’d all been in the penthouse in a face-off? Did he come to the conclusion I’m just not worth the trouble?
“You’re quiet today,” Teddy says, sliding onto the bench across from me at breakfast. She’s wearing one of Killian’s shirts, sleeves rolled to her elbows, a diamond on her left hand catching the morning light. They’re married now. They’re adorable together. Sometimes I can’t help but be a little envious, wishing I had someone to share my life with. Not just someone—Tristan.
“I’m always quiet,” I say. Well, quieter than her.
“Not like this.” She reaches for my hand, grabbing it, and I know it’s her way of saying we’re in this together. She wants to fix it. It can’t be fixed. I have to figure out what I’m going to do with the rest of my life. “Lily, you wanted this,” she reminds me. “You got out.”