Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 76812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
He doesn't speak, telling me that my request is never going to happen.
"On one condition," I barter, recalling that there were also times when he wanted me to stand up for myself.
Nathan Adair has never been an open book. I could never get a good read on him, but he changed how he operated so often, I don't imagine anyone could.
"I don't do very well with compromise, angel. You know that all too well."
"You have to kill her quickly," I tell him, knowing that her fate is sealed. It's honestly the best either of us can hope for at this point.
"I'll think about it, angel," he says, and I know he's only placating me right now. "Now, you know the rules. Come alone and don't alert anyone."
He gives me the address of a local park.
"See you soon, angel," he says, knowing I'm going to do exactly what he's demanding.
With tears threatening to roll down my cheeks, I hang the phone up, finding Victoria standing just a few feet away.
Her stricken face tells me that she knows exactly who was on the phone.
I swallow, trying to fight down the fear. It mingles with the regret of even asking Beth for help with my schoolwork. I don't know how long Nathan has been watching this house, but he has to know that I'm somehow connected to the woman.
I was angry yesterday when Beth helped me through a couple of assignments before telling me that she had to go back home to Texas. When I asked her how long she would be gone, she couldn't give me an answer, and I knew she was never coming back. I wished for bad things to happen to her. I felt betrayed and abandoned by the first person I felt any level of connection to since escaping Nathan and Xan.
I never wanted this. I wouldn't wish the Adairs on anyone, including my worst enemy.
"Nathan?" Victoria whispers.
She's the only one in the house that has any clue about why I'm here and who I'm connected to. I've always suspected that the women connected to Cerberus who come here know, but Beth never looked at me like I was the stepdaughter of a crime boss. She was firm but fair when she showed up here to help. When I didn't want to comply with her requests because I was having a bad day and felt like she should've been the one to research scholarships for me, she didn't sneer at me. She put it simply that if I didn't do it myself, it wouldn't get done.
She left that decision up to me, and I respected her for it.
We've spent time watching movies and working on assignments. Beth has been instrumental in increasing my motivation, reminding me why my high school diploma was such a big deal.
I think Beth was so helpful because she didn't know who I was. She didn't judge me. I never questioned her motivation the way I have Victoria's every day since I arrived.
I don't think Victoria hates me. She's just cautious because she knows what kind of trouble I can bring to this organization. I know she wasn't happy with my arrival because I overheard her arguing against it with Kincaid, the president of Cerberus MC. This shelter is only here because Emmalyn, his wife, wanted to give back to the community. Victoria knows this, and her hand was forced. I couldn't exactly argue with my placement. Being here has been much better than being back home in Ohio.
"It's fine," I tell Victoria, but the woman isn't a fool.
She has to know what this means for the shelter.
My throat burns with the effort to choke down my fear. Every woman here could've already been marked by Nathan. He could easily and systematically either take each one as they leave for work, or he could drop them where they stand. Both he and Xan have relayed stories and tales of the things they're capable of doing. I believe every word they've ever whispered to me in the darkness while hurting me.
"It's not fine," Victoria says, her voice lowered so others don't hear, but there's still terror in her tone.
"I need some fresh air," I tell her before walking away.
The closest I've gotten to being outside is going into the solarium at the back of the house.
The fencing around the back of the property has to be at least ten feet high. It provides privacy, and I imagine the intent of it was to help the women here feel safe, but I know better. I know that no one, especially myself, is safe now that Nathan knows where I am.
The women here don't even have to be involved with me for Nathan to see them as betrayers.
I can't stay here. I know Victoria will have already placed a call to Cerberus, and good for her. It's commendable that she wants to help the others, albeit it’s a futile endeavor.