Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
We provoked each other in the worst way; she grew up a mafia princess with a spoiled little attitude and still thinks she’s a badass because her dad trained her and I grew up the pauper nobody that had to be taken in because her dad was the great Nixon Abandonato, her uncle was Senator Chase Abandonato—she was untouchable, and she was the reason for the pain I lived in.
Her.
She also would randomly wear polka dots, then walk by me and ask if I was dizzy—so she purposefully dressed to piss me off. No girl that hot should be that cruel. And the worst part? She was the youngest, so she constantly got away with it.
She could sneeze out a fart then commit murder, say sorry and people would say, “Aw, baby girl, did you have a hard day? Should I wipe your ass for you?”
I gritted my teeth and looked away.
“You guys already drew blood today. Remember the rules.” Phoenix stated in that bored tone that meant I wasn’t allowed to argue, let alone fail at anything in life. He stared down at his folded hands and wrung them together, it wasn’t something I could say I noticed a lot, but when he was really stressed and trying to keep it in or keep the violence in, he did that.
I would never admit it out loud, but I hated knowing it was my fault and in moments like that, I really did want to reach out and say sorry, but all that ended up coming out was sarcasm.
A few seconds beat by. “They’re tattooed on my soul.” I grunted out. “The rules, that is.”
In typical Bella fashion, she honest to God twirled into the room like the picture of innocence, her long dark hair fell near to her waist like she was channeling Rapunzel and her bright green eyes roamed across every piece of furniture only to glaze past me and land on Phoenix. “Shocked, he still has one, am I right?”
“Bella.” His tone got even lower; I didn’t think it was actually possible.
She marched right up to him and reached out. Her touch was gentle, her fingers grasped his arm, then his hand. You’ve got to be shitting me. “Did you need me for something?”
Could she suck up any more? What the ever-loving FBI or CIA secret shit was she on?
Phoenix melted on the spot, his eyes softened, even his body seemed to relax, as his jaw unclenched. He honestly didn’t look happy about her little trick but still managed to pull her in for a hug, his lips brushed the top of her head in a swift kiss. I rolled my eyes. “Disgusting.”
Bella turned and looked over her shoulder, flipping her hair dangerously close to my person. “It’s called affection, but you wouldn’t know that if I spelled it out for you and tattooed it on that missing soul of yours a million times, do you even know how to hold someone’s hand? It’s like you’re allergic to touch, and feelings, and anything remotely fun! It wouldn’t kill you to smile without murder on your mind.”
“I’m fun!” I argued.
“Rule number seven,” Phoenix barked.
“Fine,” we said in unison.
I crossed my arms, probably more aggressive than needed.
She crossed hers, mimicking me to perfection as she always did.
And Phoenix just stared between the two of us. “You’ll both be attending school starting tomorrow. Look out for one another… I’m adding a new rule to the millions of rules you have between each other. Family sticks together. If someone as much as blinks at Bella, you warn them away, if she gets attacked you kill them no questions asked and Bella, if anyone bullies him or says anything about his family line, you kick them in the balls, you both have your strengths in combat and in what I can only say is manipulation to the extreme. Family is blood, now give me your hands and give me your vows.”
“Does that mean I can major in—” I stopped talking. Phoenix wasn’t playing any games. Instead, I walked over and gave him my hand.
Bella gave him hers.
Phoenix grabbed the dagger from his back pocket and, without any warning, slid it across Bella’s palm.
She didn’t even flinch.
Two could play that game.
I swear my cut was deeper. As intense burning pain made itself known and blood started running down my wrist. I watched as it slid down my forearm. Phoenix grabbed both of our hands and pressed our palms together, aggressive even for him. “Be nice. Get along. Don’t kill each other. You aren’t the enemies; the people out there are.”
It was abrupt, the drop of our hands like he was washing his own clean. He walked between us, stepping in droplets of blood, and muttered over his shoulder. “Clean up your mess.”
It was a double meaning; we both knew that.