Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“I need you to understand that you’re wrong. If you make a scene, you’ll only make your own life harder. That beautiful art studio I built for you? You don’t need that to paint for me.”
“Are you trying to piss me off right now?” She meets my gaze. We’re inches apart. “I’m aware that my life is on the line right now.”
“Then make sure you behave.”
Her lip twitches. I can tell she’s pissed and barely holding it back. “You know, Erick, one of these days, you’re going to fuck up, and then I’ll be gone. I can’t wait to get away from you.”
I sit back, keeping my face neutral, but that hurt me more than it should have.
I’m not surprised she lashed out—I pushed her into it and practically begged her to come at me—only I didn’t expect that to hit me so hard. I can’t wait to get away from you.
It’s irrational, this feeling. She’s a prisoner, my captive, of course she wants to get away. But some part of me, some broken, needy, stupid part of me, hoped that she was beginning to understand.
There’s no escape from me.
Because she’s not trapped with me—I’m keeping them from her.
That’s why I need to make sure, really damn sure, that she doesn’t do something stupid and give Frost and Gallo the opportunity they want.
They’ll snatch her away without hesitating and torture her until she begs for mercy, but none will come.
That’s why I’m pissing her off. That’s why I’m getting in her face and making sure she knows there’s no running.
Because she’s right—her life really does depend on it.
We reach the casino. Wolfie stays with the car while Ren, Hellie and I get out. Ren goes first, clearing a path, and I slip my hand into Hellie’s. She tried to yank away, but I hold on tight, pulling her closer. She’s wearing tight jeans and a creme blouse, her hair up in a messy bun, only a little bit of makeup around the eyes.
“What are you doing?” she hisses.
“Making sure you don’t escape.” I hold her hand tighter. “Don’t let go. If you do, I’ll tell Ren to carry you in.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“I absolutely would. I don’t give a fuck what the crowds think. This is Vegas, remember? Hold my hand, devil girl, and don’t get any ideas.”
She glares. For a second, I think she’s about to defy me. But instead, she moves stiffly by my side as Ren holds the main doors and we make our way toward the conference room.
I know this isn’t real. I understand that I’m dragging her along against her will.
But there’s still some sick voice in the back of my mind that enjoys being this close to her, that likes having her by my side, like we’re actually together. I like being seen with her in the casino. I like the way her hand feels in mine.
I like so much about this girl.
Which is a goddamn problem, because every time I get close to something I like, it always ends up corrupted and ruined.
I won’t let that happen to Hellie, I just have to figure out how to protect her first.
Including from myself.
Frost and Gallo are already waiting when we arrive, their people sitting near the walls again. Frost stands, shakes my hand, and stares at Hellie for a long, uncomfortable moment.
“This is our artist,” he says. “It’s nice to meet you, Heloise Accardi.”
“Hellie,” she says. “Nice to meet you too.”
I don’t release her hand, and this time, she doesn’t act like she wants to pull away.
Gallo’s next. He doesn’t introduce himself to Hellie at all, only grunts in her direction like she’s a dog from the street. “You really brought the bitch, huh?” He shakes his head. “Pretty bitch. It’s a shame what we have to do to her.”
“Easy there,” Frost says, patting Gallo on the shoulder. “Based on the way Erick’s looking at you, I’m not sure you’ll get away with insulting that girl anymore.”
I realize I’m on the verge of snarling and quickly school my face. “Gentlemen, my driver will be up with the painting shortly. Why don’t we have a seat and discuss business?”
I put Hellie in a chair next to mine. Ren remains standing, vigilant for any trouble. Gallo starts the meeting by complaining about Hellie like she isn’t around, talking about how she should be dead and buried already, and how it’s an embarrassment that she’s still breathing. Frost cuts in, claims it’s for the best, and besides, she can always be killed later on.
As the two casino bosses discuss public and horrifying ways to brutalize Hellie, she shifts closer to me and slips her hand into mine again.
I go very still. We hold hands under the table, and even though her face is locked into a neutral, pale mask, I can feel her trembling.