Total pages in book: 331
Estimated words: 315585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1578(@200wpm)___ 1262(@250wpm)___ 1052(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 315585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1578(@200wpm)___ 1262(@250wpm)___ 1052(@300wpm)
“I suggest you get the hell out of town and hide.”
“No. That makes me look guilty as fuck,” I argue. “I’m not going anywhere.” He’s only suggesting that because he’s hiding. Has been for four years now. That’s how we met. I’m not calling him a coward, but I refuse to live that life. I’m already a nobody. I don’t need to hide. No one knows I exist.
“Eve—”
“No.” I get to my feet, interrupting Bill. “I’m not going to run. I did nothing wrong.” Not to the woman anyway. If I believed in an afterlife, then I’d one day have to answer for everything I’ve done, but I helped that woman in the only way I could. I returned her to her family, where she belonged. “Let them take me in again and ask me as many questions as they want. I’ll—”
“The Lords will fuck you over,” Adam shouts. He throws his glass against the wall, and it shatters. He steps into me, and I brace myself to knock his fucking lights out if he places his hands on me. “The police start hanging out around the cathedral and your house, the Lords will see that, and they will throw you under the bus so fast to keep the police from sniffing around.”
“You make it sound like she has no choice.” Bill sighs.
He looks over at Bill for a quick second. “There’s another option…” Adam’s eyes meet mine when he speaks again. “Carnage…”
“Fuck no.” I shake my head, giving a rough laugh. “I’m not going near there.” The thought alone makes me break out in hives.
“I can make a call. My brothers can protect you.”
I give a manic laugh. “They don’t give two shits about me.” At least they won’t when they find out who I really am. “The answer is no.” Shoving my finger into Adam’s chest, I add, “The only way I go to Carnage is if someone drags me against my will.”
Bill stands, buttoning his suit jacket, and looks at me. “We don’t have to make a decision right now.”
“Time isn’t on her side,” Adam growls at him. “I’d say maybe three weeks. A month at the most.” He looks at me. “When they come for you—and they will—they will already have everything they need to set you up to take the fall. There will be nothing left to argue on their end.”
I ignore him and look at my dad. “This isn’t a we situation. This is me…my life, and I say no.” With that, I turn and exit the study, slamming the doors shut on my way out.
Storming out to my car, I start it up and squeal my tires. I drive, not sure where I’m going or what I’m doing.
Why the fuck should I have to hide?
What do you know about Dollhouse? Kashton’s words come to mind.
I know things about that place that would give grown men nightmares. I know adults and kids of all ages are run in and out of there. They do not discriminate against race, age, or gender. Everyone has a price. Some are worth more than others, but it’s all about their check, nonetheless.
I made them money. My body was sold to the highest bidder because that’s all I was good for. A hole to fuck. Bill saved me from that. But he can only save me from so much.
Carnage is not the answer. It is the problem.
I’ve come too far to allow someone to make me feel helpless…though I was naked and cuffed just an hour ago.
Kashton is going to be a problem. He’s made that very clear. My only thing is, do I let him in? He’ll want something in return. I don’t doubt Adam. The cops can pin whatever they want on whoever they want to take the fall, and the Lords won’t have my back.
Does that mean Kashton is my only hope? Fuck, I hope not.
What choice do I have? Life in jail or life on the run?
I refuse to run. Look at what happened to Ashtyn. I know more about her than her husband does. It’s easy to watch when no one sees you there. I know everyone’s secrets. But that makes me wonder…who knows mine?
Have I paid enough attention to my surroundings, or have I gotten too comfortable thinking I don’t exist?
No. I’m jumping the gun. I just need to sit back and look at it from all angles. There’s always another way. Placing my life in Kashton’s hands is like willingly walking into the lion’s den.
That sour taste burns my throat, and I pull my car over, slamming on my brakes. I open my driver’s side door just in time to vomit onto the gravel. Once I’m done, I sit back in my seat and wipe my chin with my hand.
I could go to the police on my own. Speak to them again before they reach out to me. Innocent people don’t volunteer to give information, right?