Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 182641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 913(@200wpm)___ 731(@250wpm)___ 609(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 913(@200wpm)___ 731(@250wpm)___ 609(@300wpm)
“And, honey …” Bastian’s arms tighten around me, his lips finding my temple. “Sai didn’t betray you.”
My throat closes now, a wave of nausea falling over me, but Bastian knew that would happen, so his hold steadies me. That’s … a lot. So much. Too much.
I can’t even process what he’s said all at once, but as my dad delivers his next words, I let go of all the others, listening with rapt attention to what he must have just learned tonight.
“Almost six years ago, Sai went searching and found someone, someone he believed in. Someone he saw something in, something strong and resilient. Someone not connected to our world who would grow without corruption or greed. Who came from darkness but still had a heart and would have a clear mind with fresh eyes.”
My father’s eyes lift, and mine follow, finding Bastian’s gaze laser-focused on me.
In the background, my father continues, but I’m a prisoner to this man’s eyes and don’t dare look away.
“I lost my way somewhere, and you and your sister would one day suffer for it. Sai saw that, so he did what he swore to do—absolutely anything to keep you safe. He searched beyond his reach, where no one would know until he found what he was looking for in a boy he believed in. Bass wears the mark of the guardian now,” he says, and Bastian lifts his chin, exposing his neck and my eyes fly to the spot, my insides burning at the sight of my mark burned into his skin. “You are his to protect now, to love, should you choose, and I will never stand in your way.”
“I wouldn’t let you if you tried,” I find myself whispering without thought. “He would be mine regardless. He is mine. Mark or not. He’s mine.”
Bastian’s eyes flash before me, my claim of him all he’s ever wanted and not because others are watching, but because this means we’re no longer on stolen time. There will be no bridge between us, no secrets left untold, no life without the other.
He steps into me, tenderly pushing my hair over my shoulder. “And you, Rocklin Revenaw, my rich girl, my little thief, are all fucking mine.”
Behind us, a throat clears and we look over to find Calvin at the top of the stairs, his hands sliding into his pockets as he eases his way down, his face sharp and unreadable as he looks from the two of us to my father and back.
“I realize this might not be the time, but Mr. Bishop is right in what he said before. Rayo can no longer represent the Revenaw name as the head seat in the Greyson Union. The Bandonis, DeLeons, and Henleys,” he says, adding the fourth, hidden family’s name for the first time, and I lock eyes with the girls, “will not allow it. We do not go back on our word, and we do not put our own in danger. He has done both. Aside from that, I have to meet with the outside council later to reveal the treachery of the Henshaw family and see how they wish to continue. They will want the assurance our world is under control. I need to be able to give that to them.”
Calvin holds my gaze, and I know what he’s saying, know exactly what he means.
Sai’s voice pops into my head, and I close my eyes a moment, remembering.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Since when do you request permission to ask me things?” I gauge him.
“This is personal.”
Curious, I sit back, nodding slightly.
“If you had a choice, and it came down to leading your family name or taking the head chancellor seat at Greyson Manor, what would you choose?”
My mouth waters instantly, a tingling sensation sweeping across my arms, goose bumps rising. I look away from his prying eyes, unable to speak the words, but my hesitation, my delay in response, is answer enough. So, when I give one, we both know that while the words leave me, it’s my father’s voice that’s heard.
“I would do as I must, no matter what.” My eyes slice up and hold his. “Like a good daughter would … Sai, tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I can’t do that, but I can tell you this.” He spins to face me. “You are doing exactly what I hoped you would, and without the guidance I had planned to offer.”
I blink, looking to the girls.
I know what they want. We’ve spoken of it many times, so I can say whatever I wish right now without conversing with them first.
Calvin is not intended to be the head of Greyson Manor. One of us is, and whenever he is absent, I stand in, the girls at my side. If I had to choose between being head of my family or head of the society we’ve created, of the family we created at the manor and school and all things Greyson, what would I pick? Me?