Total pages in book: 164
Estimated words: 157308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 787(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 787(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
My fists balled under the table. “You buy into all that stuff? You really treat people that way?”
Katie waved that away. “Nothing to do with me. I’m just letting you know the rules so you survive here, Lu-Lu. Some of the Royals can be brutal to Dregs who forget their place. Personally, I think the whole thing is way over the top. Dean is a Dreg and the man fucks like a beast. Seriously, he has me coming so hard I see heaven.”
“Didn’t need to know that,” I muttered, though my clenched fingers unballed.
“Imagine me missing out on the best sex of my life just because his family sells washing machines and he’s new money. I deserve the best,” she said. “Far as I’m concerned, you do your thing and I’ll do mine. Either way, I sleep in a king-size bed inlaid with real gold.”
“So why did you say I was lucky you’re talking to me?”
She scrunched her nose. “’Cause you look like a homeless woman.”
From Dairy Queen masturbator to homeless woman. How am I going down in this woman’s estimation?
“It’s super embarrassing even being seen with you right now.”
“Then, let me give you a break.” I got up from the table. “I saw a tea station up there. I’ll need a soothing cup of chamomile to get through the rest of this.”
“Make that two.”
I hadn’t made it two steps before she helped herself to my croissant. Apparently I was holding it for her.
I rejoined the line, sliding in as the doors opened. Swirling notes of leather, mint, and cedar hit me first, turning my head to a sight that struck me stupid.
Wow...
Piercing amber eyes set in ovals and rimmed with long lashes. A shadow’s dusting covered his chin, cheeks, and above his mouth—matching the thick, coal eyebrows moving as constantly as he was. His long, pointed nose wrinkled, screwing up with his face as he mouthed the words. That did nothing to mar his beauty. Nor did whipping his wavy, sable locks about mess up a strand of his hair.
The wildly dancing stranger was in his own world—uncaring of his audience or the social norm of not dancing when you’re the only one in the room doing it.
“It’s a hundred to stare.”
I jumped. His lips moved. Common sense said he was the one who spoke, but the deep, melodious voice was too angelic to have come from a mortal.
He slowed, shifting to a mellow bop, swinging his hips. “Two to touch.”
“S-sorry. Didn’t mean to stare.” I spun around, and looked straight into green eyes and snarling teeth.
“Ruff, ruh, ruh!” He leaped, barking furiously.
Screaming, I flung back and landed within a pair of muscled arms.
“...surrender to me...”
His music floated into my ears, telling of how close we were, if his cologne, hard chest, and amused eyes weren’t doing a good enough job.
“Racked up three hundred dollars before breakfast. Not bad.” He flicked over me. “Easy, Cato. She’s cool. We like her.”
Heat licked my cheeks. I quickly straightened and got a look at the Cato in question.
The green eyes were real. Flinty, bottle-green pools narrowed to slits. His hair was thick short waves matching the color of the long-haired stranger. What wasn’t real were the gleaming fangs. Those were painted on the metal mask covering his face. I tried to think of another word, but only one came to mind: muzzle.
“Where the hell am I?”
“Finest place on earth—or so you’ll be told.”
“Rafael,” a voice called. “Clear?”
“We’re clear,” my new friend replied.
The door swung in and a tall, built vision in red, black, and blond strode in. It was the jawline that hit me first. Square sculpted perfection that would break my knuckles if I even thought of hitting it. Then he drew me higher to his soft-looking pink lips, Roman nose, blue eyes, and sweeping blond hair. He caught sight of me over Rafael’s shoulder and moved so fast, I blinked and he was an arm’s length away.
“Who are you? What do you want?”
My brows flew up at his suspicion, and Cato’s sudden low growl. Even Rafael cocked his head, expression changing.
“Yeah, who are you?” Rafael grasped my chin between two fingers. “You look familiar.”
My heart squeezed. Winter and I weren’t clones, but if you looked hard enough, you saw we shared the same nose and eyes. Or at least, we used to.
Are you seeing into my sister’s eyes like you did when you tortured her?
I tore away from him, walking off without another word. I had tea bags in my suitcase. I’d have some later.
There was no getting chummy with anyone in this school. My sister’s letter named five men, but there were countless more who sat by, watched, and egged them on. I would find out who... and make every single damn one of them pay.
Katie’s legs stretched out onto my spot when I came back. She saw no reason to move, so I helpfully lifted her feet off and moved them to the floor.