Total pages in book: 225
Estimated words: 218500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1093(@200wpm)___ 874(@250wpm)___ 728(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 218500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1093(@200wpm)___ 874(@250wpm)___ 728(@300wpm)
My eyes roll.
“He’s not someone you can dissuade from things he sets his mind to. But that doesn’t mean you need to be afraid for your safety. I think maybe you’re not giving him a fair chance because of the way he went about things. His approach was probably unorthodox, but…”
I scoff.
She sallies forth, getting louder and with an even more determined look on her face, “But I’m telling you, I don’t see him smile. I don’t see him laugh. And I’ve seen him do both with you. That’s something that has me hopeful. Maybe things could turn a corner for him with your help.”
“I’m not looking for a project,” I tell her. “He needs a therapist.”
Is she delusional too?
Derek’s expression turns dark, but he aims his gaze away, flexing his jaw.
We’re all watching him for a minute.
“Derek was kidnapped by-” Grace starts to say gently, but Derek cuts her off, his gaze snapping in her direction with a look that must mean warning.
“Grace is the control freak of the family. She’s the youngest of the seven of us and tries to mother everyone.” Derek’s eyes move to me, and his expression lightens. “She probably figures she’ll worry about me less if you’re on the job. Eat some more food, Chloe, please.”
I ignore him, paying attention to Grace instead as she talks some more.
“It’s true. Things are often bumpy in a big family like ours. I like things smooth. I’m the ironer-outer.”
She shrugs and pulls apart a piece of her croissant, then pops it into her mouth.
She’s beautiful. Very put together. A little younger than me, I’d guess. I’m now wondering, though, if she’s as whacko as he is. It’s like she’s mediating for us along with Alannah who I’m sure is playing nice and fact-finding as part of her usual mediator process.
“You should consider dating her from a typical distance and then going from there,” Alannah suggests, spooning fruit salad onto her plate.
She smiles at me. I flinch dramatically to show her what I think of this suggestion.
“Not gonna happen,” he denies.
“I need to say,” Alannah says, “that I’m going to have my eye on this situation very closely.” She points her fork in Derek’s direction and continues. “I give a shit about my best friend, and nothing is going to change that. Blackmail doesn’t seem like a great way to foster a healthy relationship.” She turns to look at me. “Chloe? What do you want me to do here? Call the police? Maybe if Derek gives you some space instead, we won’t have to do that.”
“I’ll let you know what time to meet us at City Hall on Monday,” Derek responds. “We’ll keep the marriage quiet as the dust settles with Hallman. Then we’ll do a destination wedding in a couple months. I’ll fly everyone out to be there and we’ll do it again as if it’s the first time.”
“Why not wait and see if you can get Chloe to agree?”
She’s trying to negotiate, persuade him in a way to get me out of here safely.
“Woo her the regular way,” Grace interjects.
“Exactly,” Alannah says. “I’ll take her home with me and we can take this slow.”
Derek shakes his head. “I’m doing things my way.”
“I’m right next door,” Grace says to Alannah as if that’ll help her feel better about leaving me here.
Alannah looks me over to see where I’m at with everything.
What he said about me not wanting him left alone with Alannah means I could take it that I have no choice but to go through with this with him or he might set fire to the rest of my life. Hurt Alannah?
Alannah has no idea about us being held at gunpoint by Derek’s minion either. She’s sitting here trying to reason with the psychopath without a full scope of understanding.
“Tell ya what,” Derek says, wiping his mouth with a napkin and dropping it on his plate. “Chloe will check in with you twice a day until you’re comfortable with resuming normal contact. You’ll know she’s safe that way. I’ll send you the time and place for the marriage on Monday.”
“I think you need to reconsider your stance here, Derek,” Grace suggests, “Take your time with Chloe. It could work out better.”
“No,” Derek denies. “Next weekend we have the big anniversary party and the following weekend, we could all go to the Vermont place. You’d be welcome, Alannah.”
“I’m so coming to that,” Grace states excitedly.
“Now, I think we’re about done here. Alannah, I don’t like to resort to threats but let’s just say that if you cause a problem, including spreading word about this situation, it would not be wise. I’ve got Hallman taking the blame for the breakup, which is how it should be.”
Alannah’s eyes narrow at the threat.
Derek keeps going. “And if you don’t cause any problems, you’ll skip any unpleasantness and get to see our girl here flourishing, happy, living her best life. When I set my sights on something, I don’t fail.” Derek looks at me. “I’m well aware Alannah is an important part of your life. I’m not planning to keep your friends from you. I’m also not giving up here just because the way I’ve gone about this is unconventional. I want to make you happy. I’m not wasting this opportunity.”