Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
I pin her with a look that makes lesser men run away. "Marriage is marriage; it doesn’t matter how it happened. All the government gives a shit about is if the paperwork is legal.”
She snorts at me, like I’ve said something ridiculous. "And what about what Elyse wants? You can't just marry a person because it's convenient for you. Women have rights. We have a say in what happens to us. This isn’t the 1900’s."
Does she see me as the monster too? My own sister? Fuck.
I can’t contain my anger, the sudden rush and need to release it. Without warning, I turn and punch the wall again so I don't lash out at her the way I want to. Never her. A soft gasp fills my ears but that’s the only evidence I have that she’s still standing there.
Chest heaving, I spit the words out. “What about this do you think is convenient, Bel? Falling in love with a woman who doesn't want me? Saving her from a life of sexual slavery and murder? What about any of this is convenient? You act like I wanted this! Like I would’ve done it this way from the start.” I turn to face her again, and the look in her eyes kills me. “Am I really a monster? Is that what you see me as? Sure, I got what I wanted. She’s mine, completely, and in every single way. But if I could’ve done it differently, I would've. I don’t care if she hates me as long as she’s safe.”
I risk glancing at her and watch as her throat moves when she swallows, tears swimming in her eyes.
"Stop this. You’re not a monster. No one said that. But your behavior, this self destructive path you’re on. Between the drinking, the girls, and now this... It hurts to watch you like this. I want to help you, but I don’t think I can.”
"Then stop trying and go home. Go enjoy your life with Drew. I don't fucking want you here," I snarl and take a threatening step towards her. I wouldn’t ever put my hands on her, but I won’t let her stand here and watch me implode on myself, either. If she won’t listen to my demands then maybe her body's reaction to fear will help her.
Out of the corner of my eye I spot Drew stepping onto the landing. His features are pinched tight, giving nothing away. I hate how calm he is, how unaffected by me he appears. More than that, I’m looking for a fight.
"Dude, you can talk to me however you want, but don’t talk to her like that,” he says, tone low and tight when he finally reaches us.
The switch in my brain flips.
Letting the anger guide me, I swing at him. He dodges me, but I don’t miss the look of disbelief that contours his face.
“What the fuck?” He mutters.
I twist enough to get in another shot, and this time my fist connects with his cheek. The sting across my knuckles is euphoric, overshadowing the pain. I want it, I need it. Drew stumbles back on his feet, and I don’t give him the opportunity to retaliate.
Rushing him, I slam my shoulder into his stomach and wrap an arm around his waist, attempting to bring him to the ground, but Drew’s far more agile than I expect. He rolls onto his feet the second we hit the floor, then he’s on me.
"Stop it! Stop it right now!" Bel yells from a safe distance away.
At least she's smart enough to stay out of it.
Drew curses and drags me off the floor, slamming me into the closest wall. The impact sends an ache through my limbs.
"Have you lost your fucking mind? Nevermind, don’t answer that. The question I should be asking is what the hell is wrong with you?”
I can’t tell him the truth. Not without violence. So I fight. I grit my teeth and shove at his chest, but he doesn’t budge, doesn’t even flinch, which isn’t surprising. Drew’s tolerance to pain and violence outweighs most of us.
“Let go of me!” I snarl.
“Not until you calm the fuck down,” he counters, which only makes me push harder. Grunting, he adds, “I can hold you here all fucking day, dickhead. Pull yourself together, and then I’ll let you go."
It takes a second, but I finally find light at the end of the tunnel to breathe through the anger. Only then does he loosen his grip, allowing me to shove his arms away.
Backing away slowly, he lifts his hands as if to say he means no harm. "Care to tell me what the fuck the problem is? You've been out of control since that PI called and told me to come and get your ass."
I stalk away, needing distance from them, from Ely, from myself. Something I'll never get. I don’t want to talk about my problems. I want to forget them.