Total pages in book: 170
Estimated words: 160166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 801(@200wpm)___ 641(@250wpm)___ 534(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 801(@200wpm)___ 641(@250wpm)___ 534(@300wpm)
I’ve thought about leaving the money for my mother. But they’d find it and then her, I’m certain of it. Fresh tears prick hot and unrelenting. I hate them and I hate myself.
I wish I could call her and tell her everything, but I can’t drag her into this. It would only be selfish. The old landline phone stares back at me, willing me to call her, but I won’t.
I could go to the hospital, but he’d find me there. My mother might even find me there and then I wouldn’t be able to protect her. I have to be alone or go back to Declan.
I picture myself begging him, on my knees and pleading with him rather than running.
Half of the time I imagine it, he tells me it’s okay. The other half he looks at me as he did in the basement of The Club, telling me I should be terrified.
With my hands clasped to prevent them from shaking, I do everything I can to just calm down. I brush my teeth and change into a nightgown as though I’m going to bed. I wish I had the meds Declan’s been giving me to stop it all. To put me to sleep where I can’t think about anything at all. I would do anything and take anything not to think right now, to just go to sleep and make it stop.
It’s like even though I’ve left, I’m still trapped.
I’ll never feel safe. I don’t know what to do.
I wish I could erase all of this. But all of the wishes don’t mean shit, do they? I fucked up … again. Every thought I have is that there’s only one way to end it. The horns and screech of tires from down below drift into the room. A drizzle of rain starts and it’s almost comforting. It would at least be over, then.
No more terrifying memories of Scarlet’s eyes wide with fear before Nate snapped her neck.
No more of the cage being lowered into the tub.
No more of second-guessing my every move for fear of disappointing Declan.
I don’t know what happens once you die, but it can’t be worse than this. Than every regret stealing your breath and every fear paralyzing you.
I don’t think there was ever a real chance for us. I was never going to be good enough and he warned me. To his credit, he warned me. I wish he never wanted me and I could have just loved him from afar.
The memory of our first kiss plays back in my head. When he gripped my wrists and pinned me there. When kissed me like I was his and had always been his. The warmth, the way everything else faded.
At least I know what it was like to kiss Declan Cross.
And I swear I did feel loved by him. Even if it was just for a moment. Even if love wasn’t enough.
Just as I open my eyes, letting the memory go, there’s a gentle click at the flat wood door. I’m still as the knob turns and the door creaks in an eerie way.
I don’t bother to move. I only watch as if it’s a movie. I’m numb to it all until he stands there in the open threshold.
“Declan.” I whisper his name as the sight of him registers.
Sniffling, I sit up straighter, pulling the sheet closer. Is this real?
“There you are … you thought I’d let you go?”
It’s crazy, the smile that wants to pull at my lips as I sniffle. The warmth from knowing at least he wouldn’t let me run. He wouldn’t let this torture last too long. It’s absolutely fucking insane that I’m grateful I won’t have to end it myself.
Tears leak from the corner of my eyes and I wipe them away as I manage to say, “I thought you might find me.”
“You didn’t run far,” he says lowly, closing the door behind him and looking back only to lock it.
My movements are rigid and slow as I pull my knees into my chest. I can’t look away from him, from the look of betrayal in his sharp steely gaze, or the anger that radiates from his broad shoulders as he stalks toward the bed. The floor groans with every step and all I can do is wait for him.
I wasn’t prepared for this life—I had no idea what loving a man like Declan would be like. The intensity and how hard and fast I would fall, but how I would step on every land mine not realizing I needed to just stay still. I wish I could go back. In another life, we are meant for each other, but in this one, I’m not good enough. I wasn’t prepared and in his world, one mistake could end your life. I’ve made more than my fair share of mistakes.