Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Her hand tightens on mine, and she shoots me a quick, frantic glance. “I want to leave her here, Rhett. I want to do… what we have to do.” She gives me a nervous smile that lights up a soul I forgot I had before her. “But the thing is, I need to know. You hear horror stories all the time. People, parents, and siblings thought they could trust before it all turned to shit. Can I be certain she’ll be safe here? I’m talking about one hundred percent, no doubt, not even a question of doubt.”
“You can,” I affirm without a moment of hesitation. “I wouldn’t dream of even suggesting this if I thought Mira was in danger. No one deserves what happened to you or her… but especially…”
Mira glances at me again and offers a soft smile. “Don’t worry, Rhett. I know what you’re trying to say. It was hell for me too… but ten times worse for a child.”
I nod, letting out a sigh. “Exactly. He didn’t follow us here. No, damn way. There’s no tracker on that car nor, in our phones or our clothes. He’s waiting for us outside my place, I bet, watching for his chance.”
She clenches her jaw. “And we’ll give him a chance,” she snaps. “One he can’t resist.”
“Exactly.” I pause, then lean in and gently kiss her on the forehead. “Listen, Elle. I’m more than confident. But if you’re not comfortable, we’ll drive through the night to take Mira back to LA to be with your aunt until this is over.”
She seems to consider it for a few moments. Then Mira giggles as Marshall lifts her onto his shoulders, proclaiming, “Nobody is getting past the big bad wolf!”
Elle smiles as if the words hit her with real impact. Sure, Marshall’s having some innocent fun with the kids, but he could also be talking about Lucian Conti. How would he fare against a fully prepared and ready-to-fight Marshall?
Not fucking well.
“We need to do this,” she murmurs. “For Mom. For Dad, and for Mira too. For what that poor little girl saw, what she’s been forced to tolerate. I know how this will sound, but she deserves better than me, than what I’m able to give her.”
“You’re wrong,” I say flatly.
Elle purses her lips. “You don’t think she deserves better than a sibling as her parent and no parents?”
“She deserves better than what she got; you both do.” I kiss Elle again, fiercer this time. “But I don’t like hearing you talking like this, as if you’re not enough. Because you are enough, Elle.”
She smiles shakily. “Maybe when Lucian is…” She swallows. “Gone. I’ll finally be able to let it go.”
“We’ll do this,” I tell her. “And then…”
Lucy returns, which I’m grateful for. I’m not sure how I was going to finish that sentence. And then… and then what? What happens after we handle Lucian, if we can even handle him? Or what if I’m overconfident and he somehow gets the jump on Elle and me?
I rub my thumb over her knuckles, watching her closely, thinking about the other route I could take. Drive her and Mira far, far away, lock them in a safe house under guard, handle Lucian myself so that Elle is separated from all the evil.
“And then,” Elle whispers, nodding, as if that’s enough for now.
It’s like she’s saying, The future will take care of itself.
I can only pray she’s right.
I kneel in front of Mira as we say goodbye, offering her a smile. “I’m very proud of you for being so brave and staying here for the evening.”
She looks down nervously, then mutters, “Thuh-thanks.”
Behind me, I hear Elle suck in a breath. It’s the first thing Mira has said since the mess at the house. Mira throws herself into my arms, tightening her grip around me.
“You’re welcome,” I say, shocked and touched. I give her a squeeze.
In the car, Elle looks in the rearview as I drive down the street. I take the winding route on the way home, deserted roads to make sure that we’re completely alone.
When we get back to my cabin, I slow down and scan the trees as I drive. Lucian isn’t going to be able to get close to my property because of the sensors and the cameras, but I can’t cover the whole forest.
“See that?” I murmur.
“What?”
“Look up on the hill there, where the trees get thicker? See that glint of light? Don’t make it too obvious when you look.”
Elle subtly tilts her head, then sucks in a gasp. “Yeah, I see it,” she says.
“Binoculars,” I tell her. “He’s probably been waiting for a long time.”
“Why don’t we just go up there right now and…” She looks at me bleakly. I know what she’s saying, obviously. Kill him. End him. Do what I do.