Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88536 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
He waves his finger back and forth. “Maybe then we have to come to some compromise, and you can give me its worth. Your company looks to be making a lot of money.”
It was never the jewelry I’d stolen that he was attached to, but its value. At first, I thought I’d pawn it and deposit the money into my own bank account. But instead, I gave it to his younger sister to help her flee from the crowd he was surrounding them with.
“Does Tilly know you’re here?” I ask. I’d been attracted to his charisma once, the bad boy charm, until it wasn’t just a charm, and his addictions and debt turned him into a monster. Now, it’s had years to fester. He hasn’t changed much at all, but at the same time, he has. He looks crueler. Scarier than the young man I’d been attracted to those many years ago.
“Tilly?” he asks, and there’s a clipped edge to his tone. “She killed herself five years ago.”
Everything comes to a stop, and my heart sinks. “She what?” My eyebrows furrow. I fought so hard to get her out of there. I thought the jewelry would help. I thought the money would get her out.
He snarls, “You always did take her under your wing, didn’t you? You always thought you were better than me, huh? You tried to turn my own baby sister against me!” he snaps, and there’s something that’s switched in him. I immediately back up as I see the unhinged monster come to the surface.
The first time he hit me was when I left. But not before taking something precious. He’s been fixated ever since. I thought he’d forget, but right now, it’s not even me he’s seeing.
“What do you want from me?” I shout back, praying that security has already been alerted, but I’m certain it’s already too late.
“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll break that body of yours first. Maybe I’ll burn down this project you’re so proud of. Or maybe I’ll burn you alive inside of it.” He walks over to my bag. “Of course, not until you deposit all of your money into my account,” he says with a deranged expression.
Money. It’s always been about money with this lunatic, and I’m about to pay the price for being young and reckless and stealing from him once. I’d hoped it’d give his sister a second chance. But instead, it’ll be my ruin.
CHAPTER 45
Will
I’ll definitely owe Alek a new car because I don’t even think as I’m driving toward the building that’s billowing with smoke and engulfed in flames. I accelerate toward the two men standing out front. The windshield smashes and blood splatters the glass. I’m out of the car before I even put it in park.
Cold terror grips me as I scan the outside of Dawson’s shop. Through the front window, I can see smoke filling the space. I try the door, but it’s locked and there are chains securing it. Sirens blare around me as Dawson arrives, but I don’t look at him twice before I pull out my gun and shoot at the chains.
Fucking amateurs.
But they’re enough to keep anyone inside. I crumble into a panic as the chains fall to the ground, and I shoulder the door open. Heat sears my forehead, and Dawson grips my shoulder, trying to pull me back.
“Get the fuck off me!” I fling him off and run into the smoke, using my shirt to cover my nose and mouth. I can’t see anything, just smoke and red flames. “Alina!” I scream. It must have only been burning for a few minutes but was quick enough to catch everything alight. “Alina!” I continue screaming as I move through the smoke.
My heart is pounding, my nerves teetering on the edge as terror strikes me. I should’ve been here. I should’ve protected her. I should’ve killed him. I underestimated him. I should’ve—
“Help!” I hear someone call. I turn in the direction of the backroom. A low, hoarse coughing sound makes its way to me.
“Alina!” I take off at a run, then skid to a halt as a flaming piece of the roof lands in front of me. Fuck! I pull back my hand; certain a piece got my arm. I run around it and follow the sound of the coughing. “Alina!”
“Will!” she screams, and I use her voice as my beacon. I find her in the bathroom. It’s filled with smoke, and she’s trying her best to reach the small window; a small section of it is cracked where she’s tried to break it. “Will?!” she cries, and her silhouette is a tangled mess.
“I’ve got you, baby.” I scoop her into my arms, whipping my head back and forth, searching for an exit.
“Wi—” She breaks out in a coughing fit.