Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
“She was here for fifteen minutes tops. That’s why I bumped up your security, because I was scared they would come for you too.”
Oh…. Kind of makes sense, I guess.
I feel a little better, but still unsure. I glance back to the yacht and the staff are all still watching.
I hate that we have no privacy.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” he whispers.
“I still want to spend the night alone at my house, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I don’t want you there alone.”
“Stop this control bullshit, Edward. I can’t stand it, let me go home and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Do you promise?” He takes me into his arms and kisses my temple as he holds me close.
“Yes.”
“What time?”
“I have the day off, so come over around lunchtime.”
“Why do we have to be apart tonight, you can ignore me all you like from the same bed.”
“Oh my god. Seriously, Edward,” I snap as I lose the last of my patience. “We have no future if you can’t respect my boundaries. I am not a prisoner here. I am allowed to think for myself.”
“Fine,” he snaps. “The boys will drive you home and stay out the front. You call them if you need them.”
I don’t want them there but I know that if I don’t agree there’s no way in hell he’ll let me go. He raises his arm for the boys.
“Fine.” I pull out of his arms. “See you tomorrow.”
“I love you.”
My eyes hold his.
Do you?
“Do you love me?” he asks.
“Not tonight.” I sigh.
“Will you love me tomorrow?”
“I’ll think about it.”
He gives me a lopsided smile.
“Take Alora back to her place, please, and stay with her overnight.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Goodbye,” I murmur.
He kisses my face. “Good night, I love you,” he says in front of everyone.
I roll my eyes and trudge to the car; he opens the door and I climb into the back seat.
“See you tomorrow.” He forces a smile.
“Yep.” The car pulls away and I sit and stare out the window into the darkness.
FORTY MINUTES LATER.
“Thank you,” I tell the boys as I get out of the car.
“We’ll be here if you need anything.”
“I don’t need anything, you can go.” I sigh as I trudge up to the front and go inside. I close the door and flick the deadlock on.
What a nightmare of a day.
I walk into the kitchen and flick the kettle on.
I’m dead tired, confused and a little heartbroken. I mean, I know I perhaps should have at least talked about it, but I’m honestly too mad to be around Edward right now. Rummaging through my purse, I dig out my phone and see the missed calls, I’m not calling him back tonight.
I wasn’t lying, I really do need some time alone tonight. I want to sit with this information for a while without him influencing the way I feel.
Something hard and cold comes to my temple as I am grabbed around the neck from behind.
“Move a muscle and I’ll blow your fucking head off.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
ALORA
“What?” The arm strangles me hard from behind. I see our reflection in the oven door. They’re dressed fully in black and wearing a balaclava and goggles. A weird tape recording of a man’s voice plays; it’s been doctored and isn’t familiar. It repeats the same line from before. “Move a muscle and I’ll blow your fucking head off.”
What the fuck?
I fight.
I fight hard as I’m held from behind and we struggle for control. We hit the cupboard and then stumble forward and hit the fridge, it rocks to the side. “What do you want?” I cry. “Just take it, take everything.”
What the hell is happening?
“Help,” I cry as I struggle. I can feel myself being overpowered.
They’re too strong.
“Philippe.” I fight back harder and lash out; the person stumbles back and I run for the knife drawer.
Crack.
I’m hit on the side of my head from behind with the butt of the gun, the blunt force knocking me to the floor.
“Philippe,” I cry as my vision blurs; the room begins to spin. “Help me,” I whimper.
Try harder.
“Philippe,” I call again, but my voice is weak, an echo into the silence.
A sharp stab goes into my neck and I try to kick out and pull away as something is injected into me…. I raise my hand and try and pull the needle out but my hand is held away. The same recording plays again. “Move a muscle and I’ll blow your fucking head off.”
No….
“Help me,” I whimper as the room begins to spin. “Edward….”
Unable to move, my head flops to the side and time seems to stand still, sound is muffled and the blurred room begins to spin.
On the diagonal, I see someone in black go to the shelving unit and somehow open it. A staircase appears….
My eyes flutter as I fight for consciousness.
What the hell is going on…what is that staircase….am I dreaming?