Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 12497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 62(@200wpm)___ 50(@250wpm)___ 42(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 12497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 62(@200wpm)___ 50(@250wpm)___ 42(@300wpm)
“I should’ve stabbed a little farther to the left.” I shrug. “Miscalculation on my part.”
“Release me.” He struggles to get the words out.
“Not happening.” I glare at him. “I would kill you right now, but I can’t. Not until I talk to Mariana.”
He lifts his head at that. “That traitorous whore is here?”
I’m on him before he can take another breath, my hands at his throat. “Don’t you ever speak about her like that.”
He laughs, the sound rusty and wet. “You take orders from her now?”
“I sure do. Right after I get done making her come, I do whatever she tells me.”
His eyes widen. “You bastard.”
“And good news, I’m going to marry her.” I squeeze until he chokes on his own spit. “So I guess I’ll start calling you Pop, eh?”
I squeeze a little harder before releasing him and backing away.
He sputters, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. “She’s mine.”
“Not anymore, Pop.” I grin.
“I should’ve killed you.”
“Smartest thing you’ve said.” I nod and stride away. “Have a good time down here. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t already dead before I brought Mariana down here. If I were you, I’d start working on my apology. That is, if you want to live.” I hit the light and take the stairs two at a time. I move even faster when I think about Mariana waiting for me in our bed.
“Miss me?” I ask as I open the door.
I know right away something’s off. The room feels cold, empty. No Mariana.
Fuck. She’s gone.
I shake my head. “Oh, my sole. I told you I’d chase you if you ran.” I grin as I rush downstairs. The spanking I’m about to give her sweet ass is going to be epic.
7
MARIANA
I listen for the door to close behind Fenton before I release the breath I was holding. I’d panicked a bit when I heard someone come down the stairs into the basement.
I grabbed the first door handle I could find and slipped into the small utility room, closing the door behind me. I’m well aware that if someone catches me, I won’t be able to accomplish what I set out to do. And I can’t have that. I refuse to allow my father to have any more control over my life.
I’m not sure what to think of Fenton’s words to my father. Most times I can’t tell if he’s joking or being serious. Was he teasing when he said he’d do anything I asked of him?
Grant and Amelia are that way. It’s sweet. He loves her for her. Not because it would work out good for them both. In fact, he almost had to go to war to keep her. They’re together because of the strong love they have for one another. I shake those thoughts off. I can’t compare what Fenton and I have between us to Amelia and Grant’s relationship. None of it matters anyway, because I’ll be gone after I take care of my father.
I slowly push the door open and step out. I flip the light back on, revealing my father. His head lifts, his eyes blinking trying to adjust to the light. For once he doesn’t seem scary to me. Maybe it’s because I know he can’t put his hands on me right now. They’re chained to the chair.
He’s helpless. I have to admit that it’s nice that he has to experience it. There’s nothing worse than the feeling of being helpless. I should know, I’ve had it for most of my life.
“Mariana?” He blinks. “Is that you, baby girl?”
My stomach cramps. I haven’t been his baby girl in a long time. Not that it means much. When I was little I would go from being his little girl to a brat within seconds. And apparently now, in his opinion, I’m a whore.
“It’s me.” I come to stand in front of him. His face is pale. It’s not only the blood loss but the drugs are starting to catch up to him. He’s old. He’s not so scary without any of his men by his side. If anything, he’s pathetic looking. Worn down and old.
“Don’t stand there. Get these off me.” He pulls at the chains.
I watch him struggle. He stops when he realizes I’m not moving to help him. He opens his mouth but quickly closes it to rethink whatever insult he was about to hurl at me.
“We have to get out of here, sweetheart. I understand why you helped them. You had to. You—”
“I didn’t have to do anything.” It’s the truth. They didn’t even ask me to do it. I gave Grant and Fenton a way into my father’s stronghold so they could save Amelia when my father kidnapped her. Why wouldn’t I? Amelia and Grant have been good to me. “In fact, I rushed to help them. How do you think they got in so easily?”