Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
She swallowed heavily.
This guy had the same tattoo.
Who was he? All of the Deity’s Sentinels were dead.
Had he stalked and kidnapped her because she’d been part of the cult?
“Who are you?” she asked in a hoarse voice as he shoved his shirt down again, then turned back to her. “I mean, if I’m yours, I’ll have to see your face, right?”
She expected him to refuse. So she was surprised as he reached up and removed the mask.
Shock slammed through her as she saw who was staring down at her, his face filled with glee and hunger. It took her a moment to recognize him. He had a beard now and his hair was longer and tied back. He looked greasy and gross.
Holy. Shit.
“James?”
“You remember me, Little Birdie. Because we’re meant to be together. You’ve always been mine. Did you forget that you were destined to be mine?” Fury filled his face.
What was he talking about . . .
“You . . . it was you all along?”
“I’ve been watching over you ever since you moved out of Jenner’s house, Little Birdie. Where you went, so did I.”
Oh, fuck.
He’d been following her for that long? But why hadn’t he done anything until recently?
“You sent the flowers? The notes?”
“Of course. Had to remind you that you were mine.”
“What . . . what do you mean?”
“You brought him home. Slept with him when you were mine. You’ll have to be punished for that, Little Birdie.”
Oh, shit.
“I didn’t know.”
Anger flooded his face, twisting his features. “You did know! You brought me cookies!”
Cookies.
Oh my God.
She could only think of one man she’d given cookies to recently.
“You were the man living downstairs?” She hadn’t ever learned his name. But how had he hidden his appearance?
Except, he’d never looked up, had he? And his hair had been out, covering his face. He’d taken the cookies and shut the door. And he didn’t dress like he had when he’d worked for Jenner. Then he’d always been clean-cut and well-dressed.
She thought she was going to throw up.
“You’re mine now, Little Birdie.”
“I’m not yours,” she told him. “I belong to Gray.”
“You are mine!” he screamed. “The Deity promised you to me!”
Okay, probably best not to rile the crazy dude.
Wait. The Deity?
“He’s dead,” she whispered.
“He’s been resurrected, greater than ever. And as his loyal Sentinel, he promised that I could have you.”
This guy was losing it. There was a fanatical look in his eyes. How had she not known that a crazy guy was living in the same building as her?
Then again, she’d barely seen him. And half the people in that building were crazy.
“Little Birdie, Little Birdie,” he sung. “Why did you run from me, Little Birdie?”
Dear. Lord.
“If you let me go, I’m sure I can get Gray to go easy on you.”
A look of fury crossed his face and he lashed out, wrapping his hand around her throat. She started to choke.
Air. She needed air.
Why did this bastard keep trying to take away her air?
“You are not his! You are mine!”
She managed to nod.
Appease him. Keep him happy. Do whatever you have to do to stay alive until Gray gets here.
James took his hand away from her throat and she sucked in some air. Tears ran down her cheeks as she coughed and gasped.
“Good Little Birdie. So pretty, so sweet, let me hear you tweet, tweet, tweet.”
Do not tell him he’s nuts.
Do not antagonize him.
“How . . . how do you keep finding me? That’s pretty clever of you.”
It made her sick to say that. To compliment him.
“Your toy, the one that goes woof.”
Squish? How would Squish help him find her . . . unless . . .
“You put a tracker in Squish?”
How had he managed that? She guessed that maybe he’d snuck into her room when she lived with Jenner. He must have somehow known that Squish was her most prized possession.
Oh, God.
Keep him talking.
Stay alive.
“How did you meet the Deity?”
“He came to me. Told me to follow you. To watch over you.”
Had he imagined that? He had to have, right?
“Were you the one who hurt Abe?” she asked.
His face tightened. “He never fucking liked me. But no, Andy did that. I got him to knock him out and turn off the cameras. So easy. Andy needed the money. And I had to punish you.”
“By drowning me.”
“You ran from me, Little Birdie. That’s not allowed.”
“So where is Andy?”
“Oh, I had to get rid of him. He might have talked.”
Holy shit.
Panic flooded her. Where was Gray?
“The cult no longer exists. And this Deity guy . . . he’s a fake. He’s not the real deal.”
“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” he screamed, tugging at his hair. “You know nothing.”
“I know that you’ve been duped. Because I’m not going to be yours.”
“If you’re not going to be mine, then maybe I should just kill you. Drain the impure blood from your body.”