Total pages in book: 166
Estimated words: 160042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 800(@200wpm)___ 640(@250wpm)___ 533(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 800(@200wpm)___ 640(@250wpm)___ 533(@300wpm)
Arsen stares back at him for a few more seconds before jerking his head in a nod. “Looks like it.”
Marsden exhales a breath, shifting on his feet. “Welcome home.”
I notice Arsen’s chest shudder with his next breath. It’s a very subtle movement, but I’ve been so close to that chest for such a long time that I can make it out. I’m not sure if anyone else did, though. Or if they catch a little extra roughness in his voice when he replies, “Good to be back.”
Then, without further response, Arsen’s older brother turns toward me, and I draw back a little at his sudden attention. I hate that I cower, but there’s something about his quiet authority that makes me fall in line too. While Arsenal Grayson reminds me of an ever-burning fire that can roar and engulf me at the slightest provocation, Marsden Grayson makes me think of hard, cold marble that will freeze me with one look.
Not to mention, my state of undress makes me even more timid than usual.
Before I can get my bearings back and straighten my spine, I’m suddenly looking at the mountainous, branded back of my husband. I don’t know how that came about because he was standing all the way over there, but now, he’s here in front of me, and between me and his brother. I’m not going to lie, it does ease a little bit of my trepidation and I can breathe easier. Even though I don’t think his safety net is going to last much longer. How can it when he knows the truth now?
From over Arsen’s shoulder I hear Marsden ask, “This the girl?”
I notice his shoulder blades twitching with a breath before he replies, “Reverie.”
“What?” his brother says.
“That’s her name,” Arsen replies back in a low tone.
I should probably be paying more attention to the conversation; this could be where they decide my fate. But I’m still reeling from the fact that this is the first time he’s said it.
My name.
Last night when I told him the truth, he repeated my words from the letter and called me a daydream. But he never actually said it. I can’t decide if it’s a good thing or bad. Because if he had said my name last night, I probably would’ve died right then and there after how he wrung me out, both emotionally and physically. And if I had, I probably wouldn’t have to face his entire family standing here in his T-shirt.
As it is, I’m about to pass out from how fast my heart is racing right now. How different my name sounds in his voice, how new. Like this is the first time I’m hearing it. Like no one has ever said Reverie before him.
“What? But I thought her name was Peyton.”
This comes from a confused Axton, and my heart skips a beat. I knew it was bound to happen. In fact, I thought that moment was upon me. But now that it’s happening in real time, I’m not really prepared for it.
Their obvious bond with each other aside, I know they’re all dangerous and capable of bad things. And while I still strangely don’t care what happens to me anymore, I do very much care about protecting my best friend. How I’m going to do that, though, I have no idea. I spent the entire morning today thinking about it, but I still have no clue. The only reason I’m not completely freaking out right now is because Peyton is still far, far away from this mess; and God, I hope I can somehow find a way to keep her safe before it’s too late.
Or before they all kill me. Whichever comes first.
“Isn’t that what the Turner girl is called?” Axton continues, a frown bisecting his brow.
Arsen whips his attention over to his younger brother, and with a hardened jaw and a growl, he replies, “She isn’t the Turner girl.”
A chill runs down my spine at the way he says it. It’s anger, pure and clear, fiery. I can feel the heat of it focused on me, even though he hasn’t even looked at me once during this whole exchange. Which makes me realize he hasn’t said a word to me all morning, not one word.
I was so engrossed in my own thoughts that I didn’t notice it until now, and I know why. He’s absolutely enraged at the fact that I ruined his plans. I mean, I knew he would be, but I didn’t know to what degree. I also didn’t know I’d feel… guilty for ruining things for him. But I can’t help it. He’s doing it for love, isn’t he? And I can’t blame him for it.
People do crazy things for love.
“What the fuck? Then who is—”
“Okay, can I please say something here?” the girl interrupts, the girl he’s most probably kidnapped me for.