Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“What other strange things?”
Atlas feeds off his brother and adds, “Or funny things?”
Lennox strokes his beard, running his fingers over the crinkly braided strands. I want to do the same thing, and I have to rearrange my legs discreetly as I’m sitting to try and ease the ache in my core.
“I don’t know. Let’s see. There have been some really old things. This guy brought in a boot from the eighteen hundreds that he claimed was haunted, not by a person, but by the stench of the foot of that person. I smelled it. It just smelled old and musty. It was a pretty cool boot, and he had a matching one that was not haunted. Go figure. So I gave him a few bucks, and he was happy. Then had another guy who brought in a collection of very elaborate wigs. It was so strange that I couldn’t not buy it.”
“Wigs?” Atlas grins. “I wouldn’t mind a few wigs. I’ve been trying to order a pink one online for a long time, but I don’t know. When they come, are they really like they look in the picture? Because I swear, they’re too nice looking for how cheap they are.”
“Why do you want a pink wig?” Orion asks his brother.
“Duh, for undercover stuff.”
“A pink wig would probably draw more attention than not.”
“But no one would think to look for me with pink hair, attention or not.”
“They would recognize your face, dorkus extreme.”
“Boys,” Lennox’s granny snaps. “That’s harsh. And enough. If your brother wants a pink wig, let him have a pink wig, but not for undercover work.”
“What undercover work?” I know it’s the last thing I should ask, but if they haven’t given me an opening now, I’m not sure what they’ve given me. An eerie silence falls over the room. Then Atlas gives me his most charming look.
“We were kidding. I was kidding. I meant Halloween.”
“No, no, I think we can talk safely here,” Lennox’s granny says. She has an intense look on her face. It’s borderline scary, and I imagine Ayana was pretty intimidated the first time they met, but maybe not because a Glock-toting granny would probably be more thrilling to Ayana than not. Slowly, Ayana’s hand creeps over my knee and grabs my wrist. I curl my hand into hers, and she squeezes.
Oh, I see. This is a real meet-the-family thing. Also, it’s more like an initiation.
Lennox stiffens beside me, and I know he knew about this, which was maybe why he blindfolded me coming in, although I think that was just for fun. The kidnapping wasn’t fun a year or so ago, but it turned out alright in the end. I was only scared for a few minutes until I realized the whole thing was a big mistake and no one meant me any harm. Or Ayana—the real person they were supposed to kidnap.
I have a gut feeling that I should reach for Lennox’s hand with my left, so I do. Now I’m holding Ayana and Lennox’s hand, grounded by my best friend and the man who is coming to mean more to me than…than…I don’t even know.
Than any guy ever has, even ones I’ve dated for months or a year.
Lennox’s granny’s expression softens just a little, and I exhale softly and melt into the couch. I don’t want to appear intimidated, but who wouldn’t be intimidated by a granny that I know for a fact packs heat and can scowl with the best of them? I saw her fierce granny look after I was kidnapped. I was in Ransom’s basement, and their granny came down there and found out what her grandsons had done, and she was not pleased. She gave it to them all, but Lennox was the ringleader, so he took the brunt of it. She never raised her voice or looked displeased, but she didn’t have to. She gave off some mega scary disappointed granny vibes, and of all the people you don’t want to disappoint in the world, grannies are at the top of the list.
“I want to say welcome to the family, Cassadina,” she says. “I know this might be coming a little soon, and Lennox was against it, seeing as he didn’t want to scare you or himself off, but I think it’s time you knew a little bit about us and what we do so you can make your choices accordingly. Lennox did assure us that you were more than trustworthy. He told me that you know some of his past, and if he trusted you with that information, it’s good enough for me.” She shifts her legs, unfolding one leg from on top of the other before she leans forward and gives me a solid staredown.
I’m not sure whether we’re having a staring competition or not, but if we are, I’m probably going to lose. Okay, I know I’m going to lose. Shit, I just lost.