Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“You believe she can’t be ahead of you because you’re you and she’s a nineteen-year-old coed, but underestimating her is a mistake I won’t make again. She did what you did,” I said. “She created an anonymous army willing to do her bidding. I’ve seen how far they’ll go. I’ve experienced how far she’ll go. Whatever is coming next... she’s ready for it.”
Alistair squeezed my hand. For some reason, I let him. “I don’t underestimate her, Luna. Royal or Rogue—doesn’t matter. We all receive a very different education growing up. People will take advantage of us for money or favors, so we’re taught not to trust. Our future is boardrooms and political dealings. We’re raised not to give an inch, always look for the angle, and in every situation, make sure we’re the one who walks away from the table with everything we want.
“I know Everleigh is more than a coed because she’s Everton Starling’s daughter. And Winter was mine,” he said, giving me that soft look that I couldn’t take. “I’m leaving nothing to chance. She will pay for what she did. Within the next twenty-four hours, we’ll get word that she’s been arrested.”
He let go of my hand. “After that, we’ll talk about you returning to Regalia. First, we have to make sure she can’t use her money or secret club to get back at you.”
“I may not have had ten years, but I’ve spent the last three days thinking about how to get to her before she can get to me. I have a plan.” It was me who held his hand. “If you trust me, I can do this. I can give our family peace.”
He stared at our grasped hands as the silence stretched. “Do you know why I stayed away? Yes, your mother and I agreed it was best I stayed out of your life, but I didn’t have to shroud myself in mystery. There could’ve been phone calls or emails. You could’ve known my name.”
“Then why?”
“Because I’m not a hypocrite, Luna. Whatever route you took in life, it had to be your choice and your choice alone. The Rogues are seductive. Living life by your own rules, taking what you want, beholden to no one, the most powerful person in the room. We wouldn’t have laws, courtrooms, or police if crime wasn’t so tempting.
“I knew that if I told you the truth about what I do, I’d edge you slightly off your path and onto mine. For eighteen years, I fought my instincts to give you a chance at a normal life, then, as a result of my actions, it was taken from you both anyway.
“You’re smart, Luna. Smart, resourceful, ruthless when you need to be, but kind always. I know you could face Everleigh and come out on top, but you shouldn’t have to. Would you have made the choices you have in the last several months if Winter was still here?”
My jaw clenched. I didn’t answer.
“Exactly. You wouldn’t have fallen in with those guys, planned murders, or had to be dragged out of a burning building. You don’t have to live this life anymore. I’m here to do what I should’ve done.” He tipped my chin, smiling into my eyes. “Protect your shot at a normal life.”
“Maybe this isn’t what a bitter, abandoned child should say, but you don’t have to put that much regret on your shoulders. I had a good, normal life before all this happened. Beach summers, crushes, staying up late roasting marshmallows in the backyard with Winter. I did normal, but it isn’t what I miss. Winter i-is.” My throat clogged. “All the choices I’ve made since then, I don’t regret them because they led me to the Rogues. It’s only when the worst happens that you find out who is truly there for you.
“An average, normal boyfriend wouldn’t hang a guy off a ceiling or blow one up for me,” I said. “A parent is supposed to protect their kid’s childhood, and you did. But you’re not supposed to settle my scores. She tried to kill me. She threatened to kill my boyfriends. She destroyed my sister.
“This is between me and Everleigh.”
“Luna— Hold on.” He flicked to the screen. “Well, it looks like this discussion has been decided. Ronin’s gotten in touch with an update.” Alistair let go and clicked the email. “I’m sorry, Luna, but this is for the best. We need... to...”
He stopped, eyes narrowing on the screen. I watched his eyes scan all the way down, fly up, and then read it again.
A terrible snarl split his lips.
“What? What is it?”
Alistair’s reply was to turn the laptop around and let me read. Leaning in, I read it for myself. A boulder-sized pit lodged in my throat.
“Confessed?” I rasped. “Someone named Connor Langston confessed to arson and the murder of Luna Sinclair-Bowden? I don’t even know who that is.”