Page 105 of Cinder
That’s where Beast finds me.
Beast, the president of the motorcycle club.
A seven-foot wall of solid muscle with a lion’s mane of hair falling down his broad back. His handsome face a crisscross of scars. His mere presence intimidating as fuck. He is the king of this castle, and he makes my pulse begin to race.
“You’re cutting it fine, aren’t you?” he says. “I’m surprised you’re down here and not getting ready.”
“For what?”
“The wedding.”
I can’t help but look surprised. “I’m not invited.”
Beast crosses his arms across his chest. “If you work here, then you’re family, and all family is invited. Besides, that asshole of an enforcer of mine should’ve already asked you.”
“Lars was going to ask me to the wedding?”
“Apparently.”
“Then why didn’t he?”
He cocks an eyebrow. “You ask a lot of questions.”
“I can’t help it, it’s in my nature.”
“Does your nature include getting your ass ready in time for a wedding?”
I look down at my denim shorts and band T-shirt, then look back up at Beast. “But I don’t have anything to wear.”
“I knewthis dress would look good on you,” Belle says, stepping back to inspect her work, her gaze sweeping over the silk dress she’s just zipped up my back.
We’re in her bedroom, one fit for a president and his first lady, with its high ceilings, stunning stained-glass windows,massive fireplace, and a ginormous four-poster bed that looks right out of a fairytale.
“You look beautiful. But something is missing.” She tilts her head to study me when suddenly her eyes light up. “I’ve got it.” She walks over to a large wood dresser along the wall and rummages through a three-tier jewelry box.
Coming back to me, she tightens a single-strand diamond choker around my neck.
She turns me around so I can see myself in the full-length mirror.
And there she is.The old me.
The girl who used to wear designer labels and shoes that cost a small fortune. The girl who used material things to comfort the hole in her heart left behind by the loss of her mom. The girl who spent more time on how she looked than she did on forming friendships with those around her.
A girl who no longer exists.
Because I’m not her anymore. And seeing myself all glammed up feels as foreign to me as the cowboy boots and denim shorts did two weeks ago.
Yet, itdoesfeel nice to be dressed up.
And to know that later today this dress will be peeled off me by a six-foot-six biker with big hands and an even bigger cock.
I smile at my reflection, but it fades suddenly.
Because I know I am being swept away by whatever this is.And eventually I’m going to betray these people. Hell, I already have by coming here.
If you work here, then you’re family.
Beast’s words come back to haunt me, and the guilt I feel is almost overwhelming.
