Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 156029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
I tiptoe across the large circular driveway. There are no cars here, damn it. She must be parked in his garage, whoever she is.
The lights downstairs are off. I walk around to the side of his house and look up to the higher floor. Edward’s bedroom light is on and the curtains are open.
Ugh, damn it, I wish I could just see who he has up there.
I blow out a breath and sit down on the ground for a moment.
I look around and wonder what to do.
About three metres out from his window sits a large tree. What if I climbed it? Just got a look at who is in there and then climbed down.
No harm done.
My heart rate quickens as I walk over and look up at the tree, smirking to myself.
What the hell are you doing, Charlotte?
I put my arms around the trunk and take the first step up, then another, and then another. Before long, I’m way up high. I just need to get to that taller branch and I will be able to see in. I step up and hug the trunk. It’s pitch black outside, but I can see into the lit bedroom clearly.
I watch in silence. Nothing’s happening.
I peer down at the ground. Oh hell, I’m up really high. I cling to the tree as if my life depends on it, because at this point, it actually does.
I didn’t think this through at all.
Then I hear movement. I squat down in a panic.
Edward comes into view, forcing me to hold my breath. He’s facing away from me but… oh no.
He has no clothes on. My brother is naked.
The blood drains from my face.
He turns towards the window, his huge erection standing proud. He’s holding handcuffs and spinning them around his finger as he talks to someone who is obviously still in his bed.
My eyes are as wide as saucers. Oh, dear God.
Not this. Anything, but this.
I step back to try and get away. I slip, and I try desperately to grab the trunk. Unfortunately for me, I miscalculate and go hurdling down towards the ground, somehow managing to grab a branch along the way. It kind of breaks my fall for just a moment before I hit the ground hard with a thud.
“Ouch,” I whimper as I lie in a crumpled heap.
What the fuck did I just see?
I stare up at the stars hurting all over. I get a visual reminder of my naked brother and it makes me scrub my eyes with my fingertips to try and remove it from my brain.
I remain on my back, looking up at the dark sky for ten minutes, in the dark, crumpled on the ground.
That really hurt.
Eventually, I crawl onto my hands and knees and push myself off the ground.
That is the last time I’m ever going to spy on anyone ever again.
What is he doing up there right now?
I scrunch my eyes together to try and block out the image of him with those handcuffs.
I feel nauseous.
* * *
I stand in the afternoon sun on the front landing of my father’s house. My father and Edward are in their customary expensive suits. Their security staff are buzzing around, and the last of their luggage has been packed into the car. Five men are going with them, while the other five stay here to look after the house and me.
I wish it wasn’t like this. I wish we didn’t even have to have security. My father was, and still is terrified that something is going to happen to me like it did to Mum. He knows now that casinos and gambling are mixed in with the family empire, all bets are off. Security is at an all-time high.
My father’s eyes rise to meet mine. “Will you please reconsider coming with us, Charlotte? Six weeks away would be wonderful for you.”
“Dad,” I sigh. “You two are going to be working the entire time.”
“I’ll have the plane pick you up. Maybe you could come out there for a shorter amount of time,” he offers hopefully.
“No.” I smile as I kiss his cheek and wrap my arms around him. “Have a great time, and I will see you soon. I will call you every day.”
I turn and smile at Edward who is unusually quiet today.
Don’t think about it, don’t think about it, don’t picture it.
Last night’s spying activities have traumatised me. “Have fun, Edward.” I smile.
He frowns, and I know he’s worried about leaving me. “I can be back here in twelve hours if you need me to be.”
“I’m fine.” I step back from him. For all of Edward’s faults and his overbearing ways, I know he really does mean well and is acting out of love for William and me. “It’s six weeks, for God’s sake.”
“Please be careful, Charlotte. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. Don’t go anywhere without Wyatt and Anthony.”