Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22999 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22999 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
“I love you,” he says softly before leaving me alone in my room.
I drop down onto my bed and let the tears come, crying into my hands. I know what I have to do and I’m a coward for it. I can’t bring myself to tell Xander the truth and see the way he looks at me change. I don’t want that to be the last thing I have from him. Right now I have him telling me he loves me and teasing me about us having kids.
I wipe my face and steel myself before walking to Kade’s house.
When I knock he answers the door and lets me in. “How’s Collins?”
“She’s napping.”
I’m selfishly thankful because I don't want to tell her the truth either. It’s my father who almost killed her and I’m not sure how Kade is going to handle the news, but he’s the only way I can get off the island. It will be best for everyone.
“Can we talk?”
“Of course. Did Xander fuck things up already?” he teases with a smirk and I shake my head.
“This one is on me,” I admit. He motions for me to enter his office and I sit down in front of his desk.
I take a deep breath and then spill everything. The words come tumbling out of my mouth, but I don’t leave anything out. The entire time Kade leans back, listening to me without even a twitch of a muscle. Once I’m done, I feel like I’ve purged myself of some kind of evil, but I just sit there staring at the unmoving Kade. I keep waiting for him to explode, but he stays still the whole time.
“I should leave. But don’t worry because I don’t even know where this island is located so your secret is safe with me.”
His voice is even and calm as he leans forward. “What about you, Lula? What about your safety?”
I hadn't thought about that, but it’s probably because the only thing going through my mind is being without Xander.
“That’s not anyone else's problem here.” I look out of Kade’s office window that has a beautiful view of the ocean. “The longer I stay here, the worse Xander and I will get hurt. It’s better to break it off now.” I look back to Kade. “When he finds out the truth, he’ll hate me anyway. He hasn't trusted me since I got here and he was right not to.” I stand up and hold my hands out. “Will you help me get off the island?”
“You’re not a captive, Lula.” Kade rises from his seat too. “I can get you off the island but I really think you should think this over. Nothing good ever comes from making rash decisions in the heat of the moment.”
“I’ll think while I pack my things.” I step away from my chair with my mind already made up. “Thank you for everything, Kade, and for being so understanding. I’m so sorry for what my father has done to your family.”
“I’m sorry for what your father has done to you.” His voice is soft, and my eyes start to water all over again. This would be so much easier if he was mad. This is not how I thought this would go. “I would never punish someone for the sins of their father. My anger lies with him and him alone.”
“Thank you,” I say again. “I’m going to pull together a list of people that I think would love to have this job. I’ll have it for you before I leave.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He waves his hand.
“Are you sure?”
“It will be handled, I have no doubt about that.” He gives me a soft knowing smile.
“Tell Collins I'm sorry too.”
“Stop apologizing, Lula.”
I open my mouth to apologize for apologizing but catch myself. “It was a pleasure meeting your family,” I say instead and turn to leave.
As I make the walk back toward the main house my feet are heavier than ever before.
I freeze when I enter my room to see Xander throwing all my things into boxes and bags.
“You know,” I whisper as he turns and faces me. Did Kade call him that fast, or was he listening at the door?
“Of course I know.” He tosses more stuff into a box and I stand there watching him pack my things at record speed.
I’ll be off the island in no time at this rate and my heart breaks as I watch him clear my room of my things. I knew this was going to hurt, but I didn't want this to be my last memory of Xander. When he drops the last of my things into a box, he turns around and faces me.
In two long strides he’s in front of me and the old Xander is there in all his glory. He’s as pissed as ever with all tenderness gone. “You were just going to leave?” he grits out.