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)
Staring into the sheriff's eyes, I warn him with nothing but a glare. “Next time I won’t be so kind. I don’t care if she’s your daughter, and I don’t care what your reasoning is.” Turning towards Elyse I lower my voice, and ask, “Are you okay, babe?”
She lifts her head, holding her chin high, and nods. “Yes, I’m okay. Thank you.”
“Good, then I think we should be going now.” I nod towards the car, and thankfully Elyse takes the hint and turns on her heels in that direction.
The sheriff and I remain deadlocked glaring at one another and I tighten my hold on his fingers. The need for revenge burns like acid in my veins. I want to rearrange this asshole's face, but I can’t lead with emotion. I can’t. I know it would feel great to hurt him the same way he’s hurt Elyse, but it wouldn’t stop him from doing something similar to another girl. So while I want to kill him, I decide to leave him with a warning instead.
I twist his hand enough that it sets him off balance, and he immediately tumbles to the ground, with a grunt.
“You piece of shit.” He snarls, pressing his hand flat against the concrete, while trying to push himself back up onto his feet.
With a triumphant smile I step forward, and slam the heel of my leather loafer into the back of his hand. A sickening crunch meets my ears, and a howl of pain rips from his throat. I know I’ll be put back behind bars if his guys witness what I’m doing, but in the end it’ll be worth it. Leaning down I take him by the throat, and tug him forward, while keeping my foot pressed firmly on his hand.
Then through gritted teeth I speak into his face. "Consider this a warning. Touch her again, and I'll peel the skin off your bones and feed it to you. Elyse is no longer fighting her battles alone. Fuck around, and you will certainly find out, sheriff.”
I release him with a shove, and take a step back. Swiping a hand down the front of my suit jacket I turn towards the car. Elyse stands in front of the door, waiting for me, and I peer around the parking lot to see if there are any other dangers.
But it isn't a danger I spot. A few rows back are Drew and Bel, watching, waiting. Emotion swells in my chest. They’re looking out for her, for me.
"The deal..." the sheriff growls behind me and I look at him over one shoulder, watching as he clutches his injured hand to his chest. “After what you just did I should tell you to fuck off, tell you there is no deal, but I’m a gracious man. So the offer is still there, and you’d be smart to accept it, because things are going to get a whole lot worse for you.”
"Great. I love a good challenge." I taunt.
Turning my attention back to the car, I continue walking until I’ve reached Elyse. Then I tug open the door and help her inside before climbing in behind her. I can still hear my pulse thundering in my ears, a mixture of adrenaline, and rage leads me.
The driver pulls away, and I glance towards Elyse, realizing she’s not buckled in yet. Shifting, I grab the seat belt and fasten it quickly.
She peers over at me, her eyebrows pinched together with confusion. "Why did you do that?"
"I wanted to make sure you’re safe."
"From a car accident? The speed limit is twenty-five all through town."
"Not particularly. Mainly, me.” I lick my lips, eyeing her once more, my mouth watering as I take in the milky white flesh of her legs. “You have no idea what I want to do to you right now. That fucking dress is driving me crazy. I want to slice it off of you inch by silky inch. Pull back all the fabric and kiss every inch of your skin."
She gulps loud enough I can hear her. “Uhhh, okay.”
Needing something else to focus my attention on beside undressing her and fucking her like a mad man in the backseat I gently pull her wrist up so I can inspect her flesh in the low light.
A ball of anger tightens in my gut. The skin is bright pink where her father touched her, but I don’t see any bruises. "Did he touch you anywhere else?"
She shakes her head. "He didn’t have time. You came out before he could get much more than a few nasty words in. What...was he talking about… when he said the deal?"
I sigh and scan her features, the makeup, the hairstyle. "Did you go out with Drew like this?"
She huffs, no doubt at my change of subject. "No, of course not. Bel had me change before I came to get you so we could...you know...show a united front."