Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
When a ghost from our past returns to threaten Abigail, I will do anything to protect her.
She says she doesn’t want me to kill for her again, but I don’t think I’m capable of mercy. Especially not when her safety is on the line.
Even though I’m a psychopath, I’m not delusional. After all of my crimes, I’ll never be worthy of her.
But I’ve been honest with her from the I’m too selfish to let her go.
I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my little dove caged forever.
And I’ll eliminate anyone who tries to take her from me.
I don’t need absolution. I just need her
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
1
DANE
Istare at the mangled remains of Stephen Lansing, and I don’t bother to prevent my lips from curving with vindictive pleasure.
The detective taps the photo. “You don’t seem disturbed by the crime scene.”
I blink, and my fleeting expression of cruel satisfaction drops away. I meet the detective squarely in the eye, and he flinches ever so slightly. He can sense that there’s an unrepentant predator in this tiny gray room with him.
“Why did you do it?” he presses. “Stephen must’ve done something terrible to deserve this kind of beating.”
I don’t say anything. I simply skewer the man with an icy stare.
I’m supposed to be under questioning, but he will be the one to squirm, not me.
The detective shifts in his seat and tries a different angle. “Something happened between the two of you, and things got heated. Maybe it went too far. Maybe you didn’t mean to kill him.”
He makes the suggestions like he’s extending a helping hand, offering me a scenario with a reduced sentence.
He thinks he can win some sort of battle of wills between us, but he doesn’t understand yet that I’m not engaging.
I confessed to the arresting officer in order to save Abigail, but I’m not going to give this man one more incriminating word out of my mouth.
The prospect of spending a life sentence in a cage sends a chill shuddering down my spine, but I resolutely ignore it. I will not show fear.
If it means securing Abigail’s freedom, I’ll pay any price. I’ll face the consequences for my actions, even if I don’t feel a shred of remorse for what I did to the bastard who assaulted her.
I’d kill him again a thousand times over.
She’s the only thing that matters to me.
A sharp knock on the door to the interrogation room cuts through the thick silence. The detective jolts with surprise, and he takes a moment to collect himself before standing to see who’s interrupting us.
A middle-aged woman with a severely sharp gray bob haircut waits in the open doorway.
“I’m Madeline Taylor, Dr. Graham’s solicitor,” she introduces herself.
“No,” I dismiss her before she can step foot in the room. “I’ve already waived my right to representation.”
I’ve already confessed. There’s no point trying to plead not guilty.
Ms. Taylor narrows her brown eyes on me. “I implore you to reconsider.”
It sounds more like a command than a request, and I raise a brow at her.
“No.”
“Lord Graham sent me,” she insists. “I’m here to ensure—”
“Go away.” I don’t try to keep the snap from my tone. No fucking way am I accepting help from my father.
He’s not actually concerned with helping me; he’s trying to avoid a scandal.
I’m not even sure how he found out about my arrest so quickly, but I’m not surprised. He has connections in law enforcement and local government. Someone will have alerted him to the mess I’ve made.
“If Dr. Graham doesn’t consent to your presence, I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to leave,” the detective says.
He probably thinks that my refusal to cooperate will make his job easier. I plan to make this process as painfully frustrating for him as possible, and I don’t need a solicitor for that.
“Daniel!” My mother’s voice is shrill, echoing down the hallway just outside the interrogation room.
My stomach drops.
Fuck.
The last thing I want is to see my parents when I’m in such a vulnerable position.
Mum pushes Ms. Taylor aside and strides into the room, my father right behind her.
“You can’t be in here.” The detective’s chest puffs with outrage.
My father flicks an imperious wave at him. “Leave us.”
“I don’t think—”
“This is Lord David Graham,” Ms. Taylor cuts him off in brittle tones. “If you want him to leave, complain to your superiors. See what they say to that.”
The detective’s cheeks turn red, and his shoulders stiffen. His jaw works as though he’s chewing over a retort as he exits the room.
“I’d like a private word with my son,” Dad tells the solicitor.
She quickly excuses herself with a deferential nod.
Her obsequiousness sets my teeth on edge. My father thinks he can buy anything he wants: her loyalty, the detective’s compliance, and my freedom.
But I’m not going anywhere. Abigail will not face arrest because of my cowardice. I will not bend to my family’s will.
“What have you done this time, Daniel?” My mother huffs, pale blue eyes flashing with fury. “A murder charge? I thought we were clear when you were a child. You’ve always known what would happen if you didn’t curb your violent nature.”
“Do you know what you might’ve cost this family?” Dad thunders, face going almost purple with his own rage. “If the chief constable hadn’t called me, this might’ve gone too far for damage control. As it is, you will be able to walk out of here within the hour, and this incident will be forgotten.”