Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“I’m happy you have me too. You’re going to be an amazing enchantress. I can help you so much more once we get the book.”
“Thank you.”
I turn my focus back to Kendrick as we climb into a Bentley. I’m taken aback by the car. However, I note several bikes and expensive cars lining the garage.
Kendrick settles in the seat beside me and places his hand on my thigh. I would be distracted by his touch if I weren’t so focused on outside the car as the driver takes off.
I’m in awe as we ride through an underground tunnel. The walls seem to pulse with magic. Soon enough, we’re moving so fast it’s like beams of light surround us.
Then, like magic, we’re on the streets of New York. I look at Kendrick in excitement. That was so amazing.
“What just happened?”
“The tunnels are deep under the ground, where humans will never be able to find them. We’ve glamoured the clubhouse and our other properties. When coming from the underground, we use magic to come to the surface.”
“I love your world. Not that I know much about my own.” I look down into my lap as I think of all the things I’ve missed out on.
“My world is your world. You will get to experience plenty in our lifetime together.”
I realize that I’ve opened the door for him to hear my thoughts. The desire to hear him and to share is too strong to ignore.
I wrap around his arm and lean into him. “I’m looking forward to that.”
He kisses the top of my head and I know I can do this. My father needs to know I’m seeing someone and as a grown-ass woman, I’m putting my foot down. I want Kendrick or nothing.
Party Crashing
Candido has gone all out on this party. Too bad it’s all for nothing. The beauty on my arm is taken. When I leave, she’s leaving with me.
“Ray, there you are,” a guy says as he runs over to us. “Your father has been losing his mind with worry. Come with me. He’ll want to know you’re back.”
“That’s just the thing, Marco. I’m not. You can tell my father I’m here, but we’ll need to talk.”
Marco looks between me and Ray. His eyes gain a bit of recognition and then go wide. He looks as if he’s about to say something but changes his mind and storms off.
With my arm around Ray’s waist, I lead us into the ongoing party. Music is playing as the guests mingle. I stop Ray in the middle of the dance floor and sway her in my arms.
The way she looks up at me makes my heart swell with pride. It’s been doing a lot of that today. She handled herself with such grace as she was introduced to my brothers, the brotherhood and the rest of the community.
I bring her fingertips to my lips and place a kiss on them. I feel Candido and his anger before he comes into sight. However, I don’t stop swaying with my little one.
“Kendrick,” Ray calls.
“I know. It’s fine,” I murmur against her temple.
“Ray,” Candido hisses.
I stop dancing and turn to face him, keeping Ray close to my side with an arm around her waist. When I lock eyes with Candido, he takes a step back then clears his throat.
“Kendrick, how? What are you doing here? I mean, you never come to see me. You always send one of the others.”
He speaks the truth. I dealt with his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father. However, I haven’t answered Candido’s beck and call since he came into leadership. I hate the scent of his fear. He always reeks of it.
“Well, now you have an audience.”
“How do you know Ray?”
“You mean your daughter? She and I are very close. Although I’ll admit, I was very surprised to meet her. You’ve been keeping secrets, Candido.”
“Let’s take this somewhere private,” he says nervously.
“Ray, what the hell is going on?” Some guy comes over and asks, glaring at the hand I’ve been absently rubbing her bare skin with.
He lifts his eyes to fix his glare on me. “Who the fuck is this?”
“Angelo, I have this taken care of. See to the guests,” Candido says.
“You’ve done nothing but embarrass me all night,” Angelo hisses.
“Ray,” I say.
She looks up at me with tears in her eyes. “Yes?”
I pinch her chin between my fingertips and lift her face. Then I dip my head and devour her mouth in a passionate kiss. She melts right into me. Placing a hand on her ass, I pull her in closer to me.
Gasps of shock ring out all around us. I break the kiss with a satisfied grin on my lips. Looking over Ray’s head at Angelo, I wink.
“Now I think you can justify your feelings of embarrassment. However, you can’t have feelings toward a situation that doesn’t involve you. Ray no longer has anything to do with you”—I bare my teeth and allow my eyes to flash between colors—“now get the fuck out of my face before I turn you to ash.”