Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
I made myself pull away and take a step back when things threatened to get out of control. But I still found it hard to release my hold on her completely. Until I remembered that I might be putting her in harm’s way. I’d been here way too long.
“Let me see your phone.” She went back to where she’d hidden her stuff and came back with it still in its box. I unwrapped it and took the few minutes needed to set it up. Once it was done I added my number to her contacts and called my phone so that I’d have her number.
“I have to work tomorrow. If you need me call…” I was surprised when she grabbed my hand, but even more surprised by the desperate look in her eyes. For one fleeting moment I thought that I’d been played after all. That this was the moment she was going to move in for the kill.
I was even thinking that she was selling herself short, showing her hand so soon after just a few measly gifts. But her next words had me come crashing back down to earth.
“Luke, does your father seem… different lately? Has he been going to work? How has his performance been? Does he seem ill?” She was all but digging her nails into my hand in her anxiety.
“Is there something you’re not telling me? Did something happen?” She clammed up but the fear was still in her eyes and that uneasy feeling was back but for a different reason this time.
“No, I just…”
“I asked you not to lie to me? You’re shaking.” What the hell? I pulled her back into my arms and held her tight. It felt like we stood there for hours.
“Won’t you tell me what has you so scared?”
“Nothing, it’s nothing.” I closed my eyes and knew that I wasn’t going to get anything out of her. That her fear was too strong. But I couldn’t just leave shit like this. She was genuinely afraid, and what was that about dad? Was she trying to tell me that he was in danger of some kind?
I put her away from me again and kissed her forehead. “You should go let them know you’re back. I’ll go out this way, they don’t need to know that I was here.”
Elaina
I dropped down onto the edge of the bed after he left with fear choking the life out of me. I’d come so close to telling him the truth about what I’d seen, but at the last minute I couldn’t bring myself to.
What if he believed that I was part of her sick scheme and only came clean to save my skin after he’d bought me stuff?
What if he thought that after today I now believe that I can get anything out of him and no longer needed the scheme? That thought made me sick and dizzy.
I rushed to put the phone away and at the last minute grabbed my recorder, just in case. I was barely just in time leaving my room because she was on the stairs heading there no doubt. And she did not look pleased. I hit record on the little device in my pocket as my knees trembled.
“What took you so long? And why didn’t Luke come in?” I faked a feminine whisper of embarrassment. “I had to use the restroom and I think he said something about another engagement. He didn’t tell me where.”
She didn’t look suspicious but you never know with her and I was too nervous with her being that close to my room. I took a big gulp of air and once again risked her wrath or bodily harm with the question I asked.
“Mom, that thing you use, do you have to use a lot of it for it to work?” I looked around as if afraid of being overheard. I knew when she smiled and looked around surreptitiously that she didn’t suspect a thing.
“Nope, well in the beginning yeah. You need to get them hooked. Then after, the trick is to leave them wanting more, that’s why I only give the old man one dose a day now. But in the beginning it was more like three or four times. Why? You thinking of trying it out on Luke?”
I just faked one of her smirks and knew I had her when she pushed her arm through mine and turned back for the stairs. “I’ll think about it, but it’ll have to be after the wedding. I can’t have anything going wrong before then.”
I was so relieved I almost wilted into the floor. I wish I was bold enough to ask her the name of it, but figured that kind of question might raise her suspicions. Besides, I had this morning’s coffee stashed. If push came to shove I’m sure someone could have it tested.