Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
We’re in the back of one of my father’s sleek black SUVs. If Abigail had chosen this for her insane escape attempt instead of the Jeep, she’d probably only have a few scratches.
Her escape attempt.
The thought makes my blood run cold. She was so desperate to get away from me that she risked her life. She’d begged me to let her go, but I’d selfishly refused because I didn’t want to live without her.
Now that she might be bleeding out in my arms, I’m struck by the sudden, powerful realization that I can’t live without her.
Abigail has given my life meaning. I won’t tolerate a world without her in it.
I won’t be able to endure it.
My vision blurs strangely, and I blink quickly to clear the burn from the corners of my eyes.
“Are you listening to me?” James demands. “The nearest hospital is almost twenty minutes away.”
“She needs medical attention,” I growl.
I’ll do anything to save her, even if that means walking into a hospital and confessing my crimes against her.
“You’re a fucking doctor,” James shoots back. “We have first aid facilities at the house.”
My mind races. The faster I get Abigail medical care, the better. I’m one of the best surgeons of my age. I’ll care for her with far greater attention than she’ll get at hospital.
Because our survival depends on her recovery.
Abigail has a deep cut on her forehead, but it won’t scar, thanks to my neat stitches. The damage seems to be a flesh wound rather than a cranial fracture. Seeing her covered in blood had made me irrational, but now that she’s stitched up and resting, I’m somewhat more composed.
She has bruised ribs and whiplash from the seatbelt cutting into her torso.
She’ll be in pain for a while, but she’ll live.
She will be okay.
And I will spend every day of the rest of my life making this up to her.
She stirs on my bed with a low groan, and I give her hand a gentle squeeze.
“You’re safe, Abigail.”
I’m right here, I want to add, but I swallow the reassurance.
When I’d washed the paint off her face, she’d said that she needed someone to protect her from me. My presence isn’t a comfort to her.
But still, I can’t let her go.
I know now that she’s utterly essential to me; I can scarcely breathe at just the thought of losing her.
I rake my free hand through my hair. I’ve never felt so lost, so helpless. I don’t know how to fix things between us. I can heal her body, but I fear I’ve done deeper, irreparable damage to her. To us.
“You’re in love with her.” James’ quiet observation hits me like a blow to the gut.
I round on him with a glower. He doesn’t understand the first thing about me. No one in my family has ever understood.
I’m not capable of love.
Obsession, yes. Possessiveness, definitely.
And above all, selfishness.
My absolute devotion to Abigail will have to be enough for her, because love is something I can never offer.
James holds up his hands in a show of surrender. “Fine. It’s none of my business. I’ll leave her in your capable hands now. And don’t worry. I’m not going to run to mum and dad to tell them you’re here. Let her recover fully before you go anywhere. I don’t owe you anything, brother, but she doesn’t deserve to be pulled into our family drama.”
I narrow my eyes at him, usure if I should believe this show of goodwill. “And you’re not curious about why she was driving away from me?”
He shrugs. “Like I said: none of my business. You’re an arsehole. I’m not surprised you did something to make her pissed enough to leave you. But Daniel.” He pierces me with a dark green stare. “You can’t keep her forever if she doesn’t want to stay.”
“You’re absolutely right,” I snarl. “My relationship with Abigail is none of your fucking business.”
He sighs. “Arsehole.”
I turn my attention back to my sleeping princess and barely register his retreating footsteps. For the foreseeable future, I’ll have Abigail all to myself. I’ll take care of her in her recovery. I’ll prove to her that she can trust me.
She will love me again.
She has to.
14
ABIGAIL
The enormous weight of my failure makes my chest ache.
Or maybe that’s the bruised ribs.
I barely managed to sleep through the night due to the fact that my entire body feels battered.
And the anxiety of sharing a bedroom with my assailant made me afraid to close my eyes. Even if Dane slept on a cramped, antique chaise that’s far too small for him and doesn’t look remotely comfortable.
When he stirred a few minutes ago, I closed my eyes and feigned sleep until he disappeared into the bathroom. I scarcely dared to breathe until I heard the shower running, and I knew that I’m mercifully free of his presence for a short time.