Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 60965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
The list of addresses I see first, I recognize immediately. They’re ones Anderson bought, the ones my company wanted. But next to them are columns of figures. Dollar amounts of what they sold for at the time of purchase, and what they’re projected to be worth after the surrounding properties are developed.
My forehead pinches not understanding why he’d give a shit. He doesn’t own them, and they aren’t for sale. They never were. Next to the dollar amounts are dates. A word has been repeatedly scribbled in tiny cursive next to some of them, but it’s hard to make it out. I squint, my lips moving as I try to figure it out.
Acquired.
He bought them. They’re investments. He had a plan, and everyone played a role. But Anderson had no intention of selling. He’d made that clear in the single meeting I had with him. Maybe he knew the properties would go up in value. Or maybe he wanted more money.
I run my fingers over the list of numbers as I try to piece together what corrupt business transaction the two men had together, but that’s when I come across something familiar. Something I’ve become intimately acquainted with these past few weeks.
In the back of the notebook, there are several sheets of paper. Paper I’d consider elegant under other circumstances.
But this paper almost made me lose everything.
The thick cream parchment is unmistakable. My hand clenches into a fist as I fall onto my ass. My back hits the cabinet door as I picture my father writing the letters.
Practicing Avery’s handwriting. Planning his next move. I was a target, and so was she.
It was him. It was always him. It’s that moment when an alert sounds on my phone. Jules.
Jules
Emotions will trap you,
You have no choice.
Those bitter words?
That’s not your voice.
They play with your mind,
And take over your will.
Anger is deadly, and
Fear can kill.
The gun is heavy and it slips in my hands as I slowly walk down the steps, careful not to make too much noise. I cringe each time the stairs creak. So much noise. My hands are sweaty and my heart races as I move down the stairs with my back against the wall.
Thud, thud, thud, my heartbeat is loud in my ears. Too loud; I can barely hear anything else beyond the constant rhythm.
Barely breathing, my gaze flickers to the front door and then back up the staircase as light creeps in through the stained glass. I hold my breath until my feet land on the cold tile of the foyer. The front door is only feet away but as I get there, footsteps sound from the other side. The knob rattles, and my heart attempts to climb up my throat.
Whoever it is doesn’t knock or ring the bell. I wait for a moment, trembling as I grip the gun for dear life, praying they’ll prove to be someone I know, but there’s only silence on the other side.
My heart is pounding harder now as I quietly race down the hallway, looking ahead and checking behind me every few seconds. I need to escape out the back.
The closed-in backyard won’t do me any good, but I can climb the fence and slip through the thin veil of a forest straight to the crowded sidewalks of the city.
So close to protection, so close to safety. Just run.
I pause, my back pressed firmly against the wall as I get to the edge and peek around the corner and into the living room.
It’s empty, and only fifteen or so feet to the sliding doors.
I’ll run. The moment the thought occurs, I take off. But a sudden clatter in the kitchen startles me and I scream out, fumbling the gun and falling on my ass. I cover my mouth and turn quickly to face whoever’s there. My pulse races and my body trembles.
The gun landed behind me and I struggle to reach it, my arms propping me up. I keep my eyes forward, though. I’m shocked to find I’m staring at Liam Olsen.
“Whoa,” he says easily, a smile on his face. “There you are,” he says like he’s been waiting for me. Like he’s been expecting me. He takes two steps forward and my fear intensifies as he bends down, picking up a magnet that was on the fridge.
“It fell,” he says with a shrug.
“What are you doing here?” I barely get out the question as I stand slowly, bringing the gun up behind my back and placing my finger next to the trigger.
“I was told you wanted to talk about something very important?” Liam’s tone is playful, teasing and with a grin, he starts loosening the tie around his neck. “That you wanted—”
I bring the gun out in front of me slowly and steady my hands.
Liam’s hands go up instantly, his eyes wide with shock.