Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
She walked around the car, running her fingers gingerly along the rim with a smile on her face so wide it rivaled the sun. Merciful fuck, that smile. My heart squeezed with something I realized was longing, and when she ran to hug me, wrapping her arms around me in her excitement, her body pressed close to mine, I closed my eyes in awe, allowing myself just those precious few seconds of bliss.
BECKY
“Counterfeit, what do you mean counterfeit? My money isn’t fake.”
“Ma’am, I’m afraid it is, and since you tried to pass more than ten grand, we’re going to have to wait for the authorities before you can leave.” I looked at Victoria in shocked horror as the saleswoman’s words echoed in my ears. What in the world is going on?
“Mom, what did you do?” My legs started to tremble, and I needed to sit before I fell. This can’t be happening. There’s no way this is happening to me. How am I going to get out of this? What will I say to Felix? How will I explain?
“There-there-there-there must be some mistake.” I stuttered the words out through suddenly dry lips as my mind struggled to hold on.
Victoria’s screaming accusations were of no help, and I finally slapped her to get her to shut up. “Ma’am, I’m afraid you’re not allowed to abuse your child in the store. We’re obligated to report such behavior….”
“What the hell are you talking about? I’m not abusing anyone.” I stepped toward the middle-aged woman as if to strike, but the sound of sirens filled the air outside, followed by the sound of slamming car doors.
I felt warm liquid run down my inner thigh down my leg to pool in my shoes beneath my stockinged feet, as my bladder gave in to fear. It was the final straw after a day filled with one disaster after another. Victoria was busy trying to convince the plainclothes officers that she had nothing to do with the money and didn’t want to be involved, while I felt a scream begin in my head.
It’s Adrienne; she’s come to take revenge. It was the last thought I had before the pressure in my head became too much, and I released the screams held trapped in my lungs.
GABRIEL
She seemed to catch herself, or maybe the fact that I wasn’t returning her embrace finally registered, and she started to pull away in embarrassment. I warned myself not to, but I couldn’t stand the thought of putting a damper on her mood, so I pulled her back into my chest for just a few seconds more.
“You’re happy with your surprise; I take it.”
“Yes, very. I don’t know how you did it but thank you. I’ve always been afraid of something happening to the car before it came to me.”
“Now, you no longer have to worry. We’ll see about getting your permit sometime this week, and I’ll teach you how to drive; until then, you may drive up and down the driveway.”
“You’ll teach me?” How does she get that light in her eyes?
“Of course, who else?” She seemed overly pleased by that, and alarm bells started going off in my head. I cleared my throat and released her, turning to walk into the house. “There’s more inside if you can pull yourself away from the car.”
“More? What more?”
“Why don’t you come upstairs and see?” I’d played around with the idea of letting Ma give her the perfume, set up some kind of scenario where she sends her to her room to grab something where she’d find the perfume just sitting there. But that would involve me hiding the fact that I’d gone through her drawings, and for some reason, I didn’t want to lie to her.
The twins had disappeared immediately after leaving the truck; no doubt, they, like everyone else, were busy seeking out the details of what happened to the three who got expelled since I refused to discuss or admit anything. Right now, Becky must be thinking her life is over, not quite. I’m not through with her by a long shot. Our game of cat and mouse has only just begun.
The daughter is an entirely different story. I’m not expecting that hate and jealousy she bears Gianna to disappear anytime soon, if ever. That kind of deep-rooted anger doesn’t just dissolve on its own. I might have to take her out at some point, if only, to ensure Gianna’s safety when I am no longer here to protect her. We’ll see.
Right now, my main focus is on the adult female who tormented a child in her care. My plans for her are downright diabolical; some might even say, perverse. It’s nothing less than what she deserves. As for Felix, he won’t get away unscathed. I’ll use the two he chose over his own flesh and blood to show him the error of his ways.