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)
“It’s okay,” I try to tell her but an officer speaks over me. I don’t recognize any of these men. All decked out in tactical gear, there are six of them to just the two of us. A chill runs down my spine.
“You’re wanted in the questioning of Scarlet Miller’s murder.” The blood drains from my face at the mention of her name. But I’ve been through this shit before. This is a game I can play. “Don’t say anything, Braelynn. Don’t consent to a search. Don’t talk to anyone other than to tell them you want your lawyer.”
Deep voices cry out and guns are held by men in uniform, pointing not just at me, but at Braelynn. Anger tears through the denial, through the shame. Through fucking everything.
“Leave her alone!” With both hands in the air, I scream to Braelynn that it’s okay. Her hair is disheveled, her eyes red rimmed. My heart only beats again when she looks at me. It beats as if it’s the last time blood will flow through my veins. It all happens too fast once I register what she’s going to do. I can’t stop it.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers before ignoring their warnings and running to the window. She’s reckless, my naïve girl. No, no, don’t jump. Please, save her. My motions aren’t fast enough, and I can’t rip my arms from their grasp.
THEN YOU’RE MINE
“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” - St. Francis Of Assisi
PROLOGUE
DECLAN
“Be my good girl and get down from there,” I tell her, my voice is even and calm. Our gazes are locked even with the chaos erupting around us. The police scream. In my periphery, they dare to raise their guns at her. Rage and fear like I’ve never known consume me as she stares back at me.
Her wide eyes are glassy and her admission only minutes ago still rings clear in my mind. She was prepared to die before I opened that door. Death was her escape and the same resolution peers back at me. Drowning in sorrow, remorse, and in a pain I knew existed but refused to acknowledge.
“Now, my naïve girl. Get down from there,” my voice lowers as I swallow thickly. My heart races and the pounding in my ears won’t stop. She merely stares back at me, her dark eyes swallowed in sadness as she shivers with the incoming chill.
“I will never forgive you if you hurt yourself. Get down now.”
A gust of wind blows through and I swear she sways just slightly. Her grip tightens on the windowsill, white knuckled, and yet it slips.
“Get down.” I’m firmer as her gaze attempts to drift back to the open window.
She’s only halfway there, a single step away from safety when they grab her. They pounce on her. Their hands on her small body is infuriating and yet, she’s safe.
It takes everything in me not to fucking lose it. My breathing comes in shudders as I watch her being cuffed. She doesn’t struggle, doesn’t say a word, only looks up at me. While on her knees on the dingy carpet, her hair wild from the chilled wind, her face flushed, and doubt written in her expression, she waits for me.
My poor naive girl. What have I done?
“I’ll fix this.” I promise her softly, but I don’t know if she’s heard it over their demanding screams. Chaos surrounds us and I only wish I had the power to end it now. To be somewhere else in some other time where I can be the man she needs right now.
The cuffs around my wrists tighten and whoever the fuck is behind me attempts to pull me toward the door, but my feet are firmly planted.
It didn’t have to be like this. None of it had to get this far.
“You're under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, aiding, and abetting.” They rattle off charges as she struggles to stand. Reality hasn’t dawned on her. Not in the least.
She’s still staring back at me, needing assurance. Needing help.
Why the fuck did I let it get this far? She’s too good for this world.
Words tear up my throat, but as the two men behind me tug and shove me toward the door, their firm grasp on my shoulders, their attempts are too violent for me to resist any longer, I do what needs to be done. I protect her from them, but also from herself.
“You do not consent to a search and your lawyer is Michael McHale. Don’t say a word beyond his name, Braelynn. Say nothing.” My voice is firm as they pull her up, still in her nightgown and so small surrounded by three men in suits.
“Say it Braelynn; repeat what I just said.” I call out to her as I’m pulled away. As they lead me down the narrow staircase of the shitty motel, I swallow down the words but then I call them out, hoping she can hear them.