Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 72308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
“It’s none of your business what he is.”
I couldn’t keep my shit together. “It is my fucking business if you’re putting yourself at risk.”
“Actually, it’s not.”
“You said you wanted to start a new life—”
“Cauldron.” That hot gaze was enough to shut my mouth. “You dumped me. You kicked me out of my home. Once Grave focused on Elise instead of me, you lost all interest in me. So if you think you’re entitled to any information about my life, you’re a goddamn sociopath.”
“My decision had nothing to do with Grave and Elise.”
“You’re so full of shit.”
“It didn’t.” My jaw started to hurt, it was so tight.
Her hand holding the flute of champagne shook, like she was so close to throwing it in my face. “I heard it from your fucking mouth, Cauldron.”
My eyes narrowed at the accusation. “What are you talking about?”
“Leave me the fuck alone.” She started to turn away.
I grabbed her by the arm and steadied her, and just the simple touch sent chills down my spine. The good kind of chills. The kind that gave me goose bumps all over. The kind that made my slacks suddenly feel snug.
I thought she felt it too because she didn’t fight me.
“Let. Go.”
I was too absorbed with her to notice Bartholomew’s return. I didn’t notice the blade either, until it was right up against my throat.
My hand released her arm.
She stepped away, but she gave a small gasp when she saw the knife.
Bartholomew tucked it inside his jacket pocket. “That was your only warning. Use it wisely.” Dark eyes locked on my face.
I did the same to him.
He waited for me to blink first or look away.
I did neither.
It was a silent standoff, neither one of us willing to cave first.
“Let’s go.” She reached for him—not me—and walked away.
His arm slipped around her waist and pulled her close. They moved through the crowd and occupied a different social group, as if our standoff had never happened.
I watched her go, forgetting the reason I’d come in the first place.
“Sir, just give me a moment to notify Mr. Toussaint of your arrival—”
I marched past him and entered the hallway. Grave’s study was toward the rear, so I went straight there because it was too early for him to be in bed. He was either working or fucking.
“Mr. Beaufort!”
I stepped into the open door and found my brother behind his desk. Shirtless and in his sweatpants, he looked a bit tired like it’d been a long day.
He looked me over, top to bottom. “You look fancy.”
“You know Bartholomew?”
Grave slowly shut his laptop. “I’m guessing things didn’t go according to plan…”
“Do you know him?”
“Does he have a last name?”
“He’s not the kind of guy who needs one.”
“I mean, there’s Bartholomew from the Chasseurs. Is that who you are talking about? The guy who runs the Catacombs.”
I’d known I knew him from somewhere. “Fuck…he’s the drug dealer.”
“What happened, Cauldron? Did he get in your way?”
Oh, he got in my way, alright. “Camille was there—with him.”
Grave processed what I said before he left his chair and came around the desk. He stopped in front of me, his face contorted as he became lost in thought. “Why was Camille with him?”
“I was hoping you would tell me.”
“Why the fuck would I know anything?” he snapped.
“You bought her that apartment. You guys are chummy.”
“Chummy?” he asked incredulously.
“I think there’s something you aren’t telling me, Grave. And you have one fucking chance to confess. One.” I stared him down, my body loaded with so much adrenaline that I could rip his arm off.
His eyes flicked back and forth between mine.
“Grave.”
He dropped his gaze before he spoke. “She came straight here. Needed a place to stay.”
All the air left my lungs.
“She stayed for two weeks.”
“You were shacked up with my girl for two weeks?” Maybe I really would rip his arm off.
“Your girl?” An eyebrow cocked up his face. “If she were your girl, she wouldn’t have needed to come to me in the first place. She drove straight here because she was so depressed, she didn’t even know how to take care of herself. Didn’t know how to check in to a hotel. So, yes, I let her stay here. And the only thing I should be hearing from you is thank you.”
“How long did she stay?”
“Two weeks. I just told you that.”
“So she was here for Christmas?”
“Yes.”
I wasn’t sure what made me more jealous. Grave or Bartholomew. “Did you fuck her?”
Grave withdrew slightly, his eyes narrowed in deep offense. “Elise is my woman, and I’ve always been a one-woman kind of guy.”
“You didn’t answer my question—”
“Fuck you, Cauldron. Of course I didn’t sleep with her. She made her bed—now she can lie in it. You think I desire her whatsoever after she made her decision? No, asshole. I’m better than that. I deserve better than that. Elise is all over me every chance she gets. That woman makes me feel like more of a man than Camille ever did.”