Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 168587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 843(@200wpm)___ 674(@250wpm)___ 562(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 168587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 843(@200wpm)___ 674(@250wpm)___ 562(@300wpm)
“But what?” I demand.
“Well, I got a text last night from an unknown number. I didn’t think anything of it.”
“What did it say?”
“It was a picture of me in my bed. Naked.”
“What the fuck, Whitney?” I bark out.
“I didn’t think anything of it,” she repeats. “Thought it was Lake fucking with me, ya know?” she goes on. “But when I asked her about it, she had no clue what I was talking about. And today, I keep noticing this same car everywhere I go.”
“Where are you?” I put my car in gear.
“I’m on my way, to the house of Lords. I just finished up with my study group at Barrington.”
“I’ll head your way and then once I reach you, I’ll follow you back here, okay?”
“Okay,” she says, letting out a shaky breath. “Thanks, Ty.”
I stand at the end of the bed while I watch Lake sleep. I crawled into bed with her after our bath, and I held her while she cried herself to sleep in a matter of seconds. Her body worn out.
Kneeling, I reach underneath the bed and pick up her wedding ring. I watched it roll under there when she took it off earlier, thinking she was making a point. She wishes it was that easy for her to leave me.
Walking back over to the side of the bed, I take her left hand and slide it onto her finger. “Sweet dreams, little darling.” I lean down and kiss her forehead, letting my lips linger before reluctantly pulling away.
As I stand next to our bed, watching my wife sleep, I think about Collin. His hands on her soft skin. Pulling her into him. The fact that he thinks he can do it in the first place is a problem.
The second problem is that he’s telling her about my past with Whitney. I was too busy being the Lords’ bitch to protect her. That won’t happen with Lake. Ryat thinks her father will come after Lake, and he might. This time I’ll be ready.
She’ll never understand why I married her, and I honestly don’t give a shit. I’ll do whatever I need to do to prove my point. Laikyn Grace Crawford is mine. And I’ll prove it to the fucking world. If I have to carve my name all over her flawless skin, I will.
I enter my office with my hand in Lake’s. She hasn’t spoken one word to me since last night. I didn’t expect her to, though. She was already mad, and I just pissed her off more. Then she broke down and was embarrassed. She woke up this morning, fixed breakfast, and then crawled back into bed, avoiding me. I won’t be ashamed or remorseful for what I did to her last night. It’s the first of many. I know she liked it and got off on it.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Collin,” I say and look at Lake. “Have a seat, little darling.”
She falls down onto the couch and winces. I refrain from smiling at her discomfort. That’s why I did it the way I did. To remind her that I was there last night, balls deep in her untouched ass.
The door opens again, and Colton enters, followed by Alex, Finn, and Jenks. Letting the door close behind them, they each stay against the far back wall.
“What the fuck is this?” Collin notices and jumps to his feet.
“I have to admit,” I say, falling into my seat, and he turns to face me. “I lied to you.”
His eyes narrow on me. “What the fuck do you want?”
“Please forgive me, but I was a little busy last night when I called you.” Lake gasps, knowing what I’m referring to, but I ignore her. “You ever had that kind of sex that just makes you do irrational shit?” I wonder.
Colton and Alex both grunt in understanding.
“I’m leaving.” He goes to head for the door, but Finn jumps in front of it, blocking his only exit.
“I want to show you something,” I say, picking up the envelope Ryat had brought me. “I was at the house of Lords the other night when Colton informed me you were here to see the surveillance footage.”
“I’m a cop, that’s my job,” he snaps.
“Yes, but as you see, her body had already been found, days prior to that.” My eyes slide to Lake, and she doesn’t look surprised at what I just said. Interesting.
He squares his shoulders, readjusting himself in his seat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“No?” I arch a brow and toss the manila envelope onto his lap. “Have a look.”
He opens it up, and his body stiffens.
“But she’s not the first woman this has happened to, is she?” I dig, wondering just how much he knows.
He ignores my question, or he just didn’t hear it all. “Where did you get this?”