Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I pluck the apple slice from my now empty glass and pop it into my mouth to enjoy the sweetness. “I think that’s right. Even though I’m a witness, I don’t think I can say anything. Besides, they were shooting at us first.”
“There is that.” Alana is dressed in her signature aquamarine-colored dress. We’re drinking in the VIP lounge of the hottest new nightclub in town, Dark Mirror Lounge. I note multiple security guards at several points. They’re all here for Alana.
“I’m surprised Thorn let you out,” I joke. “What, are there only ten armed men in here?”
Alana snorts delicately and finishes her margarita. “Are you kidding me? Those are only the men you can see.” She blows a kiss to a security camera in the corner.
My mouth drops open. “He hacked into the security system?”
She shrugs. “Most likely. But that makes it easy for me to go out for a while, you know?”
I actually don’t know. Thorn seems to be a bit much for me. Although, I’m now somewhat of an accomplice to a man just as dangerous. Why are dangerous men so sexy? There’s something wrong with the female brain. “What is it in us that’s drawn to bad boys?”
Alana shrugs. “I like feeling safe. If anybody so much as flicks my ear, Thorn will cut theirs off.” Her eyebrows draw down. “Wait. That seems wrong. Right?”
Heck if I know. Being safe is definitely an aphrodisiac.
Ella waves for the waiter to bring another round. “My guess is that dangerous bad men are good in bed.”
That’s probably true. The memory of the wild orgasm Alexei forced on me flashes through my brain. My sex clenches. That’s it. My body is a moron not listening to my brain. But don’t hormones and sexual attraction come from the brain? “I’m losing my mind.”
Alana snorts. “Welcome to the club.”
Ella smiles as a cute waiter brings over three more drinks for us. “I kind of like having security in place.” She looks around at the thick mahogany tables and tasteful and somehow flowery decor. “I feel like nobody—even my evil stepmother—can get to me here.”
Alana reaches for another margarita. “Believe me, nobody can get to you here. Thorn has every exit covered.” She sounds happy, so I don’t give her too hard of a time. I can’t imagine ever giving up that much of my own freedom, and my thoughts fly unerringly to Alexei. He does seem to be rather bossy, and I need to set limitations soon. Although I’ll never admit this to anybody, but I slept peacefully for the first time in eons with him in my bed.
Ella kicks me lightly beneath the table with her high-heeled pump. “What is that look on your face?”
Heat instantly fills my cheeks. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, yes you do,” Alana says. “Come on, dish it. I’ve seen Alexei. He’s seriously hot. You’ve only told us part of the story, right?”
While I’d told them about the events of the day, I hadn’t told them that he’s staying with me.
“Come on,” Ella coaxes. “You never could keep a poker face, at least not with the two of us.” This is true.
While I can bluff in court plenty, I can’t lie to my two best friends. “Fine.” I give them a full lowdown on how he’s staying with me.
Ella’s head jerks, and her blue eyes widen. “Are you serious? You let him stay the night?”
“I didn’t have much of a choice.” I shrug. “He doesn’t have anywhere to live.”
Alana tips back half of her margarita. “That’s the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard.”
I cut her a look under my lashes. “Oh yeah? I remember you coming up with some pretty lame excuses about Thorn Beathach.”
She chuckles, the sound happy. “Yeah, that’s probably true.” Then she sobers. “But you’re not going to get involved with Alexei, are you? I mean, come on. He’s a murderer.”
“Like Thorn isn’t?” Ella instantly snaps. “We were just talking about sexy bad boys.”
Alana’s mouth tightens. “Neither Thorn nor Alexei are boys. Don’t forget that.”
I immediately try to squelch any argument. “Come on, Alana. We all know that Thorn runs the Irish mob.”
“I know.” Alana looks at Ella. “Right now, you’re under his protection, which you need.”
Ella reaches for her rum and Coke and takes several drinks. “I’m not entirely sure I am under his protection. His brother wants me dead.”
Alana rolls her eyes now. “Oh, come on. Justice doesn’t want you dead. Maybe excommunicated to a faraway island, but not dead.”
Ella laughs. “That’s fair. I did almost kill his brother, but I didn’t know you were going to fall in love with the guy.”
Alana smiles. “I know. I’m not mad about it. I think you were pretty brilliant. And plus, that’s a skill we may need someday,” she flicks a glance at me, “just in case we need to kill Alexei.”