Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 88305 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88305 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
A modern Adonis.
But no one knows the type of monster hidden beneath the physical perfection.
No one except for my Tsundere.
The Weaver clan excels at being pretty but barbarous. Powerful but corrupted.
I guess I take after them more than I thought.
Usually, I dislike being put in the same box as my ancestors, but I couldn’t give a fuck about it right now.
The only need pulsing in my veins is to pick up where I left off with Naomi and maybe take it to newer heights.
I look at my watch and it’s seven-fifteen. I’m late on purpose so that my pretty little toy stays on her toes.
After tying my shoelaces, I step out of my apartment. It’s located in one of the buildings owned by a friend of Grandpa’s. Because he and Grandma need to keep an eye on me at all times, even after I moved out of their house.
The elevator opens and I pause as my uncle steps out, carrying a takeout bag.
Nathaniel Weaver is another example of how well we hide behind the beautiful façade. His fancy suits and groomed looks gave him the title of ‘most sought-after lawyer’ in a magazine once.
They said, and I quote, because Grandma was proud and sent it over a thousand times, “Senator Brian Weaver’s son, Nathaniel Weaver, is the heartthrob of Brooklyn, the dream of every socialite, and the hardest fruit to reach. He has the looks of a Greek god, but he’s just as cold.”
And it’s true.
Nate might have tried to fill the gap the absence of my parents left behind, but he doesn’t play nice with outsiders—or his own parents—at all. He’s emotionless and aloof, calm and calculated.
And he has this foreign ability to read minds. Which is why meeting him right now is the worst-case scenario.
Can he see the nefarious lust shining in my eyes? Or perhaps he can decrypt my need to inflict pain over and over again?
His dark gaze measures me up and down. He does that a lot, intimidating his opponents with silent observation until they crack on their own.
“Where are you going, Rascal?”
I twist my neck and stretch my arm behind my back. “A jog.”
“Now?”
“Yeah. I run better after people have gone home.”
“You can also hide a crime better when no one is looking.”
I grin. “That, too.”
“What are you up to? Do I need to be your lawyer?”
“Nah.”
“But you’re up to something.”
“It’s legal, but it could be…a little immoral.” A lot. But getting Nate’s parenting parameter up isn’t something I’d play with.
“Just because it’s legal, doesn’t mean it’s right.”
“Aren’t you the one who told me legal and illegal don’t matter, because justice is circumstantial?”
“And yet, here you are, twisting circumstantial beliefs in your favor.”
“Isn’t that why you said it?”
“I said it so you’d have no misconceptions about the world you live in.”
“You also mentioned that the concept of truth is an outdated righteous belief that no longer applies to modern society. Truth is the mold we shove ourselves into in order to escape the world’s harsh reality. So, in a sense, we all have misconceptions we try to escape in our own way.”
“That’s a reach.”
“Then are you implying that you didn’t say those words for me to learn from them? Or did you perhaps think I would accept them, blindly trusting your senior judgment?”
He smiles, the lines easing from around his usually rigid eyes. “Argumentative.”
I grin back. “I learned from the best.”
“You should ditch politics and join me. We’d have so much fun.”
“Being destroyed by Mr. and Mrs. Weaver, you mean?”
“They can’t destroy us when we’re on the same team.”
“I’d rather play smart.”
“Which is another word for safe. I didn’t peg you for someone who refuses challenges, Rascal.”
“I love challenges, but not when they ruin me.” I pat his shoulder. “Talk to you later, Nate.”
He grabs my shoulder in return, his humor disappearing. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
“That was purged out of my dictionary by Mrs. Weaver.” That’s what we call Grandma behind her back, sort of like putting distance between us.
“Apparently, she left remains. I recognize impulsive foolishness when I see it, and your eyes are shining with it right now.”
“Don’t worry. It’s all under control.”
“That’s what your father said and we both know how he ended up.”
My jaw clenches. “I’m not him.”
“Good. Because Mr. and Mrs. Weaver aren’t the forgiving type. They weren’t with your father and they won’t be with you.”
I wink. “Everything is game as long as I don’t get caught.”
He shakes his head once.
“What? Isn’t that what you teach your clients?”
“No. If you don’t see what’s wrong with your statement, I won’t spell it out for you.”
And with that, we both leave my apartment building. I wait until Nate gets into his car before I head to mine.
I had planned to run to the forest, but his unexpected visit made me lose time I don’t have.