Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
It was unsettling how easily the lies now tripped from my lips.
The man’s eyes widened. “Is it infectious?”
Not wanting to cause a panic, I shook my head. “No. It’s not airborne. You and your wife are perfectly safe. Catherine should be fine as well, just a little feverish… too feverish to answer her phone or unlock the door, I’m afraid.”
I held my breath as the old man disappeared from the window. I listened for the sound of police sirens, certain he had called the authorities on me. And why wouldn’t he? I must have looked and sounded like a lunatic.
A few moments later he reappeared at the window and tossed a keychain with a single key dangling from its ring down to the cobblestone street below. “Tell her Margaret and I hope she feels better soon and make sure you return the key.”
I scrambled to retrieve the key off the ground. I held it up. “Thank you! I will give her your best and don’t worry, I’ll return the key as soon as she is well.”
The man raised his arms to lower the window sash but not before grumbling, “And stop that racket. It’s early and people are still trying to sleep!”
“Yes, sir.”
I raced over to her door and put the key in the lock. My hands shook as I turned it. I opened the door and stepped inside. The house was silent. Not wasting any time with the lower level, I plunged headlong up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
I reached Catherine’s destroyed bedroom door. Before I could even take in the sight of her naked on her ruined bed, she took one look at me and screamed.
CHAPTER 14
CATHERINE
Oh, God.
It was him.
He was back.
He raised his arms and tried to silence me. “Catherine. It’s not what you think. It’s me, Jekyll.”
I narrowed my eyes. I wasn’t able to see clearly without my glasses, but I wasn’t stupid. It wasn’t Jekyll, it was his brother Hyde.
I backed up against the broken headboard as I scrambled to reach for the blanket, which had been out of reach on the floor earlier. I swept the blanket over my body, holding it tightly against my breasts. “You’re lying. I know you two look alike. You’re Hyde.”
Jekyll approached.
I stiffened.
He backed up a few steps. “Sweetheart, it’s me, Henry Jekyll. Hyde is gone. I’m so sorry. He’s never coming back. I promise.”
My eyes narrowed.
He was telling the truth. It was Henry. Hyde would never apologize, and he certainly wouldn’t back away when faced with my opposition.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to rescue you.”
“Did Hyde tell you… did he tell you about us… about what we’ve been doing?”
He averted his eyes. “Yes. Well, some of it.”
My heart sank.
I leaned up, cringing when the handcuff chain clattered against the headboard. “I can explain.”
He shook his head. “Believe me, you don’t owe me an explanation.”
I gripped the sheet between my breasts. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I like you, Henry. I truly do. Hyde is just… He’s just…”
“A better man. I get it.”
I rose up on my knees, stretching my shackled arm behind me in an effort to lean in and make him understand. “No! No, don’t say that. Don’t ever say that. He’s not a better man. He’s just so intense. It’s, well, it’s hard to resist a man like him.”
Henry blushed. I knew I was hurting him with my honesty, but I needed him to understand.
I took a breath and continued, “You have to understand. Some men, they appeal to a woman’s darker fantasies.”
Henry’s brow furrowed as his lips tightened but he remained silent.
“Those men are like the handsome and devious villain in a romance novel. They are intriguing because of the danger and adventure and passion.”
Henry cleared his throat. “Really, Catherine…”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I’m making a mess of this… what I’m trying to say is those men are only good for a taboo read. In real life, they suck. In real life they are mean and selfish and arrogant assholes.” I lifted up my handcuffed wrist. “In real life, those men leave you bruised and naked, handcuffed to a bed, and don’t give a fucking damn how you get loose or how embarrassing it will be for a friend or… or… or your boss to find you this way.”
Henry approached the bed and gingerly sat on the edge. “It was not my intention to embarrass you. I was just concerned about your welfare.”
I brushed my tangled hair out of my eyes. “That’s my point, Henry! You are kind and considerate and gentle. You are boyfriend material. Hyde is one-night stand material.”
I was surprised how much I meant that. Henry was boyfriend material. I had known it from the first moment I met him. Hell, I had a crush on him after my first interview. That was until Hyde had come crashing into my life like a freaking bulldozer, trashing everything and everyone in his path.