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 tug my hand out of his grasp and look to Bel for any type of advice, but she’s staring down at the counter, his forehead wrinkled. It looks like she’s devising a plan. "Tell me if I’m right or wrong here.”
“Okay?”
Bel looks up at me, “Your father wants to get Seb out of the way, so he can have you all to himself, right?”
I nod and swallow hard. "Yes."
Bel smiles, but it's a strange smile, almost evil, and it doesn't fit her soft features. "Then you have to show him you can't be separated, that you won't be separated.” I think I know where she’s going with this and I’m not sure I like it. She continues, “I’ll call the lawyer, and you go get changed into something..." she waves at me. "Something expensive looking."
I shake my head, confused. "What good is that going to do?"
"Your father will never expect you to be strong, to show ferocity in the face of fear. What we’re going to do is make sure he knows you’re not to be fucked with. You'll go pick Sebastian up at the police station and prove to your father you’re a united front and that if he wants to get to you, it’s not going to be as easy as he thinks. Show him your teeth and claws; I know you have them.”
Hell, no. I can't face my father! I can barely leave the house let alone stand up to the man who abused me for years. "No, it won't work. I can't sell that, look at me. I'm shaking at the very idea of it."
Drew skirts the counter and spins me to face him. "Do you love him?"
All I can do is blink. I part my lips but nothing comes out.
"It's a simple question." Drew’s features turn cold.
I try to organize my thoughts, considering, weighing, measuring. Do I love him?
"You don't need to think about it. If the answer isn't yes, then it's no."
He releases me, and I wobble on my legs, trying to find the words. Do I love him? Yes. I love him. Even if I shouldn’t. Even if it’s wrong. Even if he’s a murderer. I’m one, too. Sometimes the things you will do to protect yourself and those you love aren’t morally correct.
Turning his attention back to Bel, Drew says, "Let's get the car; we'll go pick him up."
"No!" I growl.
His narrowed gaze shifts back to me. "No?"
"No. I'll do it. I'll go. I’m his wife, and it needs to be me." I can barely believe the words coming out of my mouth right now. "Let me...go change really quickly."
I’m a trembling mass of worry, but I don’t focus on my anxiety. I race up the stairs, grab the first dress I can find that isn't too fancy, and wiggle into it. Shoes come next, and then I walk into the bathroom. There’s a bunch of hair products sitting on the counter, but I grab a claw clip and secure my brown locks in a bun at the back of my head. Glancing at myself in the mirror, I can see the worry lines forming, the fear trickling in. Fuck. I wish I was as good as Sebastian is at masking my emotions. I reach for the mascara and apply a little to brighten up my eyes. The last thing I want my father to think is that I’ve been held up in the house, anxiously waiting for him to attack, even if it is the truth.
As I walk past the bed, I stare down at where Sebastian keeps a gun sheath. A weapon might not be a bad idea. But then I remember another sheath. Sebastian’s knife.
I check the end table, under the bed, but it isn’t until I slide my hand beneath the pillow that I find it. The protective walls I’ve built around my heart crumble slowly as I grab it, check the sheath, and race back down to the kitchen.
It isn’t until I’ve nearly reached the kitchen I realize I’m still holding onto the mascara tube in one hand and the knife in the other hand, my dress flapping open in the back still needing to be zipped. Wow, what a damn mess.
The second Bel sees me she leads me gently to a bench near the wall, turns to zip me, and then sits me down. "Breathe. We have time. It'll be a little bit while they process him. Drew already sent the lawyer. I called the car service. We can't go in with you, but we'll be nearby, parked, with Lee and Aries in case something goes wrong."
Panic sinks its nails into my skin. Bel’s lips are moving but her voice sounds far away. What if I can’t do this? What if I’m paralyzed with fear? What if he hurts Sebastian?