Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
She shivered and Remy pulled her close, his brain spinning with the need for that bastard to violate his parole and land back in prison.
“Remy? I want to go home,” Raven said. “And I need to see Caleb. We have to talk.”
He knew better than to argue with her. She was emotionally distraught and he had no intention of making things worse. But he was equally curious and disturbed by her words. “Talk about what?”
“How to get rid of Lance once and for all.”
Knowing she didn’t mean that the way it sounded because she wasn’t a killer, he managed a nod. “Go pack. I’ll be up to help you in a few minutes.”
Once she’d left the room, Remy picked up his phone and called Zach. No one was going to make any crazy plans without their approval.
Chapter Fifteen
Back at Remy’s apartment in New York, Raven paced the floor in the family room, pausing to stare out the windows overlooking the city. It had snowed lightly overnight, the powder dusting the few green spaces she could see. She wished she’d had time to enjoy the grounds of the Sterling family compound, take a long walk outside in the frigid air, with Remy by her side. But of course, Lance had ruined that for her, too.
She didn’t know how much longer she could live with her psycho brother’s schemes. Especially without knowing his end game. She had good reason to fear him, Raven thought, recalling how she’d found Emily, battered and bruised. But she had better reason to stand her ground and get her life back.
The elevator into the apartment opened and she heard voices. Turning, she saw Caleb walk toward her, followed by Zach who was already in deep conversation with Remy.
“Caleb!” She ran to her brother and hugged him tight. “Is Owen okay? Where is he? He’s safe, right?” If her adorable nephew was the least bit shaken up she’d throttle Lance.
“He’s fine and he’s in class,” Caleb said, slinging an arm around her shoulder and leading her to the sofa. “He doesn’t know anything happened. Lance spoke to someone at the school’s front office and they turned him away, threatening to call the police if he didn’t leave. The school called me immediately.”
She nodded, letting out a long breath filled with relief. “Okay, good.” She turned to Zach. “Hi. I didn’t realize you were coming over today?” She said it more as a question than a statement.
He shot Remy a curious glance and waited for him to reply.
“Because the four of us should talk,” Remy said.
“Why?” she asked, feeling defensive because he hadn’t included her in his thought process. This whole situation was about her.
Remy ran a hand through his hair. “Because this mess can’t go on. He’s ruining your life.”
She’d been thinking the same thing. “Well, next time I’d appreciate it if you’d include me in whatever you’re planning that involves me.”
He inclined his head in acquiescence. “Why don’t we all sit down?” He gestured to the family room.
She led the way across the apartment and lowered herself onto a couch cushion. Caleb took the seat beside her, Remy and Zach across from them in the oversized club chairs.
“Where do we begin?” Caleb asked.
Remy’s gaze fell to Raven. “Tell us what you’re thinking, because you tossed and turned all night.”
Yes, she had.
She immediately saw how this would go. Zach would be in charge because Remy assumed she’d cave faster if he, too, was against her idea. She had a feeling Remy knew exactly what she wanted to do, so she cut to the chase.
“I want to use myself as bait to draw Lance out. Though I hate playing games with a sociopath, and I’m aware it’s a risk, we all know Lance won’t be able to resist if he sees me alone.”
“No!” Remy exploded, in a tone indicating he wouldn’t give in. He pounded his hand on the arm of the chair for emphasis.
“I’m with Remy.” Caleb folded his arms across his chest and shook his head at her, using his disappointed big brother look she’d seen often growing up.
“Tell me more,” Zach said, his gaze on hers.
Remy’s eyes opened wide. “You son of a bitch. If I thought you’d take her side, I wouldn’t have asked you to come.”
“Relax,” Zach said. “I’m here to help you all end this mess. I want to know what Raven has in mind.”
Doing her best not to smirk at Zach’s acknowledgment she might have a valid idea, she spoke. “All we need to do is allow me to go back to living my normal life.” She held up a hand before Remy could argue, which from his opened mouth, he intended to do.
“I’ll still stay here,” she said, doing her best to give him reasons to understand why she’d be safe. “You can watch me at all times. Put cameras up outside the bar, I don’t care. Just let me do everyday things like taking out the trash from the bar, have my coffee break in the back alley, go to poetry slam, and let it seem like I’m alone. Give Lance the opportunity to come after me.”