Total pages in book: 331
Estimated words: 315585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1578(@200wpm)___ 1262(@250wpm)___ 1052(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 315585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1578(@200wpm)___ 1262(@250wpm)___ 1052(@300wpm)
Making my way up in the elevator, I exit and walk across the breezeway and enter the room.
The chatter comes to a halt and all eyes land on mine.
“The Ladies are downstairs,” Alex says with a laugh.
I hold up my left hand to show I’m not wearing a wedding ring. “Good thing I’m no one’s Lady.” Slamming the door shut, I lean back against it.
Every man in the room looks at Tyson, who’s sitting at his desk. They expect him to tell me to leave, but he’s staring at Kashton. It’s comical how all heads swivel to look at him next. The silence lingers. They’re waiting to see if the guy I’m fucking is going to pick me up, throw me over his shoulder, and carry me out of the room. Kash sits back and smirks. He’s curious to see how this plays out.
“Well, speak up,” Tyson starts. “Who called this meeting?”
“I did,” I answer.
“You?” Saint frowns and then looks at Kashton, but he doesn’t say anything. He didn’t know. “How did you manage to get us all here?”
“Called in a favor.” It’s that easy. Bill was more than willing to help me out after he saw how stressed I was over our encounter. “There was a man there tonight, and you guys need to be aware of him.”
“Old boyfriend?” Alex asks with a chuckle. “I’m sure Kash can take care of him.”
“His name is Evan. About six three, jet-black hair, dark eyes.”
“Do you know him?” Saint wonders. “Personally?”
This is my chance to be honest. What I know and what I’m going to tell them will ruin any chance I have with Kashton. Maybe it’s what I should have done from the beginning to get him out of my life. Self-sabotage. It was fun while it lasted. “He’s Bill’s son. And my brother.”
Silence once again as everyone looks at me like I’ve got two heads.
“Your father is Bill?” Ryat finally asks.
Guess Sin has kept my secret from most of the Lords. “Yes…no.”
He scratches the back of his neck. “I’m confused. You just said—”
“Do you think Isabella was Bill’s first wife?” I interrupt Ryat, shaking my head. “Sin’s mother is his third.”
“Wait.” Tyson holds up his hand. “I’m getting confused too. Make it simple and explain it to us.”
I inhale. “My mother got pregnant with Evan—Bill’s son—their senior year of high school. He went into initiations the following year at Barrington. They ended up marrying their senior year after he was officially a Lord. That’s when she was given her assignment, and she failed.”
“So what happened to her?” Saint asks.
“She became a breeder.”
“What’s a breeder?” Finn asks.
I look at Haidyn. “Do you want to explain it, or would you rather I do it?”
He narrows his eyes on me, and I give him a smile, turning my attention to the rest of the Lords in the room. “My mother was a founder. And when a founder fails her assignment, she is given to the Lords as a breeder.”
“You’re a founder.” Saint’s words are more of a surprise than a question.
I look at Kashton and confirm. “Yes.” And I don’t miss the way his jaw sharpens. He wants to know things about me? Here’s a little something.
“What’s your assignment?” Saint demands.
“I don’t have one.”
“Bullshit.” He stands.
Kashton jumps to his feet, grabbing Saint’s arm. “Sit the fuck down,” Kashton warns him.
Saint huffs, rips his arm from Kashton’s hold, and falls back onto the couch. “Charlotte had an assignment, and it was Haidyn.” He barks at Kashton. “Sorry if I don’t believe her.”
Ryat leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “Bill told us that nothing is set in stone and the Lords can change the course of a founder. That’s why some of our wives didn’t have to complete an assignment for their initiation.” He nods to me. “So why do the Lords not want to give you one?”
“Because I’m useless to them.” My simple answer makes everyone frown. “We all must serve,” I go on, knowing I’ll have to explain myself. I’m in a room full of grown-ass men who kill without question but can’t understand what a woman has to say. “Their logic behind making you go without sex for three years is because they don’t want you knocking up random women who aren’t approved by their standards. That’s why, for the most part, your parents designated your chosen and your marriages are arranged. It’s to guarantee those at the top remain at the top. Forged empires.” They all look at me without an ounce of understanding. I want to roll my eyes, but instead I add, “I can’t have children.”
“Did Gavin or Devin tell you that? I’d get a second opinion.” Alex looks over at Kashton. “I have faith in you, Kash. Try harder.” He laughs at his own words.
“I was sterilized at the age of eighteen.”