Total pages in book: 151
Estimated words: 148238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 741(@200wpm)___ 593(@250wpm)___ 494(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 741(@200wpm)___ 593(@250wpm)___ 494(@300wpm)
The amazed adoration glowing in his eyes brought tears spilling over my cheeks.
He believes.
He knows.
His lips crashed on mine and his tongue shot into my mouth. With his dark taste came freedom—in one move he tore the dagger free from my heart and magically twisted my hate into undying love.
Breathing against my lips, he lamented, “I’m so sorry. So unbelievably sorry.”
“What the fuck is going on?” The sound of a gun clicked as Mr. Steel dispersed our reunion, dragging us back into horror.
My naked breasts suddenly felt too vulnerable. My chest open and revealing my rapidly beating heart.
Kill wrenched me behind his back, protecting me with his large frame. “I’ll tell you what the fuck is going on. The deal’s off.”
My eyes snapped closed as a sob escaped my control.
It’s true.
He understands.
What had made him realize? What had finally shown I was telling the truth?
Mr. Steel prowled over the teal carpet, brandishing his gun. “Excuse me?” His voice darkened to black granite. “I’ll say if the deal’s off.” His finger tightened on the trigger. “Protected by Wallstreet or not, I won’t hesitate to kill you. Step aside.”
Kill stood to his full height, gathering furious energy. “It’s over. She’s not for sale.”
My body wanted to give out in relief. But questions. So many questions. How had this happened? How would I forgive him for not believing me up until now?
Mr. Steel shook his head, his lips twisting into a cold smile. “That’s not for you to decide, is it, you little fucker? Wallstreet’s in charge here. He assured me I’d have no issues dealing with you.” He dragged a hand through his bleached-blond hair. “Give her to me and I’ll forget what just happened.”
“Never,” Kill snarled. “She’s mine and she’s leaving with me. Like I said. Deal’s off.”
Walking backward, guiding me to the exit and freedom, Kill fumbled at the small of his back. Pulling free his own gun, he muttered, “Let it go, Steel. It’s over.”
Mr. Steel’s face went beetroot red. “Fine! Full control of the stock. Happy?” He dropped his gun in an act of kinship. “Full control—now hand over the girl.”
My heart leapt into my throat. Fear shot down my spine.
Was that all this was? A negotiation tactic to get full control?
You don’t believe that.
No. Not after seeing the shackles and barricades falling from Kill’s soul. He’d been more honest with me in that one second than in the entire week I’d been his captive.
Kill moved, faster and faster, to the exit. His large body blocked me from potential bullets but not from the pain if he was killed.
Mr. Steel growled, “What the fuck are you doing? You know who I am. Don’t be so stupid. Full control—you won! Dump the girl and I won’t fucking kill you.”
“Don’t want your fucking stock anymore. Told you. She’s not for sale.” Kill’s body trembled with aggression, his hand stayed up, pointing with his weapon. “We’re walking. Nothing you can do about it.”
My eyes shot between the two of them.
I didn’t see who moved first but Kill was the fastest. The boom of a gun exploding echoed in my ears as Kill shoved me to the ground. Then he was gone, plowing into Mr. Steel and tackling him to the ground.
I scrambled to my hands and knees as Kill’s fist connected wetly with Mr. Steel’s nose. Blood spurted all over his linen suit.
Mr. Steel swung at Kill’s head, only to lose more ground, and was subjected to a harsh volley of fists to his rib cage. The second Kill delivered the punishment, he stood up and kicked him in the side.
A horrible memory of him kicking me like that came and went, tangling with my joy of his remembering. How would I consolidate his stubbornness and the pain he’d caused with the happiness I felt that he’d finally listened? He’d treated me terribly. Did I have enough forgiveness inside to forget?
Two stewards appeared, one holding a shotgun. “Stop!”
Killian backed away, his fists covered in Mr. Steel’s blood. “Let us leave, and we’ll cause no more harm.”
Mr. Steel coughed, sitting up gingerly. “You think this is over? That you can come onto my boat, renege on a business arrangement, and then fucking hit me?”
“No. I realize what I’ve done. But I’ve already given her up once. I won’t do it again.” Kill’s eyes landed on mine, shooting fire into my heart.
“This isn’t over, Killian,” Mr. Steel hissed.
Kill nodded. “I know.”
A never-ending second ticked past. Mr. Steel stayed on the floor, his temper howling around us. Suddenly, he slouched. “Wallstreet owes me fucking huge for this.” Looking at his stewards, he ordered, “Don’t fire. Let them leave. I’ll deal with him later.”
Kill nodded in acknowledgement of whatever deal they’d just struck and stalked toward me. Effortlessly, he lifted me into his arms and, with a quick shift, threw me over his shoulder.