Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
I sigh, the emotions in my chest all churned up in a gut-wrenching mess. I can't even think about her these days without feeling sick. Not because of her, but because of myself. I’ve never regretted anything in my life as much as I do the way I treated her that night. I want her back in my life, yes, but not in the same way. I want more, something deeper, something… dare I say like forever. I’ve already come to terms with the fact that my father needs to be taken care of. I don’t know how I’ll do that yet, but I’m not giving up Bel for him. He’s unpredictable, and proving to him that she was nothing to me put the target back on me and off her.
No matter what, I keep going back to that night—to the betrayal etched into her beautiful features and the pain-stricken look in her eyes. I did that to her, and I hated myself for it. I haven't even been able to look at myself in the mirror since.
The only saving grace is that I haven't had to deal with my father much since then either. I'm worried if I spend longer than five minutes with him, I'll try to kill him, and I'm not quite ready to cross that bridge… yet.
"What do you want from me, Seb? I thought I was doing the right thing. I was protecting her," I whisper.
"Nothing. Neither of us wants anything from you. Give it up and leave her alone. That's the only way I'll be able to keep myself from putting a bullet in your head."
The world seems to freeze at his words, but the chill in his eyes tells me he's dead serious. I try not to show him my hurt, but it’s almost impossible.
"Are you fucking kidding? Were you not paying attention for the past couple of months? She belongs to me," I lower my voice and step up to him so we are only a few inches apart. "She is mine."
A hand snakes between us and presses me back. Lee inserts himself between us, clearly seeing the war brewing.
"Unless you two are going to make out, back the fuck up. It’s obvious neither of you is sharing what happened between the two of you at the party, but I'm done playing referee, trying to keep both of you from killing each other. Now, we have a job to finish here. Let's keep these assholes from dying of alcohol poisoning and frostbite. Otherwise, we'll have a different kind of problem on our hands. Then you two can go back to your respective corners of sulking and brooding."
That was the problem in all this. I have no plans to go anywhere. I let out a long sigh and swipe Lee's bottle of liquor from his hand. Bringing it to my lips, I take a long gulp and barely manage to swallow it.
I lift the bottle, peeking at the label.
"Fucking gin, Lee. Really?"
He eyes me as I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand as if that’ll get the terrible taste out of my mouth. "Hey, I don't judge your beverage choices, don't judge mine."
He snatches the bottle back and stands between Seb and I, his body acting as a shield. If Seb and I were really going to fight it out, Lee wouldn’t be able to stop us.
Our attention is brought back to the runners as the last of the recruits stagger out of the house, resembling that of drunk toddlers as they race across the lawn. Fucking finally. Only a little while longer until I can get out of here. Not that I have anything to look forward to after this. Bel’s locked away in an ivory tower, and I have no way of rescuing her.
I'm many things—a heinous villain, devilishly handsome, an asshole, and prick—
but I’m not dumb. I’ve been watching Sebastian like a hawk, and I know he's got her stashed away at his house. It’s the only viable option. She’s not at the dorms or living in her mother’s house. I haven’t caught even a glimpse of her, and it’s that withdrawal, her absence that makes me snappy and irritable. Fuck me.
I could always break into the house. I’m not against that… I’d take a charge just to see her beautiful face again. I tried previously and was tossed out on my ass, but that was before. I’m sure they expected it then. As quickly as the thought comes to mind, I shove it away. I’ll save that as a last-ditch effort. I’m not quite at the end of my rope yet.
I pull my phone out and peer down at the screen. I’ve sent her numerous texts, but she only ever tells me to leave her alone or stop messaging her. I’ve even called. I can’t believe she thinks I’d be deterred by her telling me to go away or leave her alone. Maybe if I was a good guy, but I’m not. I’m Drew, the monster she picked to hunt her down in the woods. The man she gave her virginity to and showed all the dark corners of her mind to.