Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I believe that Ella has plans to take out her stepmother and stepsisters, at least financially. She’s the smartest hacker around and she’s trained all over the world. She has, however, neglected to share any plans with us. It could be because someday, I’ll have to serve as her lawyer, and I can have no prior knowledge of her planning to commit crimes. At least that’s what I tell myself.
There’s a rustle and then a murmur down the hallway, and then a couple of shouts. “Ah, crap.” Alana shakes her head. “Well, this was fun. I enjoyed seeing both of you.”
I look up to the doorway as Thorn Beathach strides inside. Even after watching him and Alana be together for the last three months, the sight of him catches me off guard. He’s tall and broad and was probably quite handsome before being scarred completely across his face and down his neck. I have to admit to myself that he’s still handsome.
Right now, his eyes are pissed. “Alana?”
She stands and smiles. “I just went for a walk. I have no idea where the bodyguards got to, Thorn.”
He lifts one dark eyebrow, and the air in the room chills. I have to admire her bravado though. Not much scares Alana. “I see. We’ll discuss this at home.” Thorn takes two graceful steps inside my office, ducks his head, and instantly tosses her over his shoulder.
“This is absolutely not necessary,” she says, her long hair hanging down before she punches him in his upper thigh.
“I believe it is.” He smacks her butt hard enough to echo around the office.
“Want me to try and kill him again?” Ella offers.
Alana chuckles.
Thorn turns his dark gaze on her, and she gulps. “I believe our deal was for you to do some work for Malice Media.”
“I did for almost two weeks.” She lifts her chin. “Your brother chased me off.”
“Huh.” Thorn looks incredibly dangerous in my doorway. “Keep away from Justice. I think he wants to return the favor of you trying to kill me.”
“I know he does,” Ella spits. “You keep your brother away from me. I have better ways of getting to people than just by messing with their crystals.”
I have to give her props. I don’t know many people who would dare threaten Thorn. Of course, he currently holds our best friend over his shoulder.
“I’ll have Justice contact you,” he says smoothly and with a smile that is anything but.
She faces him but remains silent.
He nods to me. “Rosalie, if you need any help with this Alexei issue, let me know. I’ll have it taken care of.” With that, he turns and strides out of my office with Alana over his shoulder.
Ella shakes her head. “You know, sometimes I think I should probably infect his crystals again.”
“Alana loves him,” I remind her.
Ella drops back into her chair, her lips turning down. “Yeah, I know. I don’t get it. Do you?”
Truth be told, I hadn’t. But after this morning, I think I have an inkling.
Another rustle echoes down the hallway. “What now?” Ella pales. “You don’t suppose that stupid Justice is coming after me?”
I stand. “I hope not.” As Alexei Sokolov completely fills my doorway, I change my mind. I do wish Justice Beathach was standing there. My knees wobble and my chin shoots up so I can better glare at him.
His smile holds so much sin, butterflies rip through my abdomen.
TWELVE
Rosalie
My breath catches and I stand as Alexei walks inside, followed by my secretary, my paralegal, and a couple of junior attorneys.
“Sir, you cannot just barge in here,” Eloise sputters.
“It’s okay.” I have to admit, she’s looking at him with more curiosity than anger, as are the other three. “Mr. Sokolov is a client, and he’s welcome anytime. Everybody return to work.” I infuse my voice with as much authority as I can manage, considering I’m now blushing head to toe, at least I assume I am from how heated my skin gets.
Ella stands and partially puts her tiny body between me and Alexei, as if instinctively knowing to do so. I introduce them.
He smiles, all deadly charm, looking dangerous in his leather jacket. “Miss Rendale,” he says, “it’s nice to meet you. Rumor has it you were once the heir to TimeGem Moments.”
“I’m still the heir.” She briskly shakes his hand.
TimeGem Moments is currently ranked fourth out of the big social media companies, and it allows users to share memories in real-time. It’s pretty fascinating, really, and if Ella ever manages to wrestle the company away from her stepmother and stepsisters, she’ll take the entire platform to mighty heights.
She looks back at me. “I’m busy tonight, but should we hit a couple of clubs tomorrow?”
“Sounds good,” I say. “It’s been too long. We’ll see if we can get Alana out without a million bodyguards.”