Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Just answer the question,” he said. “True or false.”
Looking back at him, I bared my teeth. “Relevance, counselor?”
“Speaks to the character of the accused, not to mention motive.” He casually leaned on the edge of one of the desks. His body language said he was relaxed, maybe even a little bored, but something in his eyes made my stomach clench. He was enjoying this, laying a trap, and I didn’t know what it was or how to avoid it.
“I don’t want to play your little game.”
“What you want is irrelevant. Answer the question. I caught you breaking into my office on two separate occasions. True or false, Ms. Carmichael.”
“True.”
“Both times I caught you, you were in various stages of undress. One could assume that you were trying to distract me from your break-in with your body.”
“Objection. You can’t speak to my motivations.”
“Overruled.” He waved his hand dismissively.
“Any judge would have your comments stricken from the record,” I fired back, straightening my spine, ready to argue my case.
“Do you see a judge here, Ms. Carmichael? Right now, I am the only judge you get. There is no jury or record. I even had the cameras turned off. Right now, it is just you and me.”
“Does that mean you are my judge, jury, and executioner? I have rights, counselor.”
“You do. This little conversation isn’t to determine your guilt. It’s to determine your future. This debate will determine if I press charges or let you out of that cell.”
He stood from the desk and ate the distance between us up in two long strides. His intense blue eyes stared down at me, and I had to crane my neck back to meet his gaze. My heart was thundering in my ears, and I wanted to shrink back, but I knew I couldn’t give up ground. I gripped the bars tightly and feigned a strength I didn’t know I had.
“Ask your questions.”
“Is it true or false that you were previously warned away from flirting with Detective Patrick Doyle?”
“Yes, but—”
“And is it true that you agreed not to speak to him again?”
“Yes, but—” I was getting flustered.
“Is it or is it not true that you have worked several hours on the case I am currently building against the O’Murphy family.”
“Yes, but—”
“Is it true that you had access to all the files, every single bit of evidence I have gathered? In fact, wouldn’t it be fair to say that you are the only person other than myself to have access to everything?”
The way he growled out each word made my heart race and my cheeks flush. I had heard about his prowess in the courtroom. Some of the lawyers gossiped about him. They said he was driven and single-minded, like a warrior going to battle. They said he was all power and precision, a true alpha male. I thought I knew what they were talking about. I was wrong.
“Is it true that a few hours ago, I caught you sitting at an intimate table with Detective Patrick Doyle?”
“Yes.” My voice was shaky, and I moved away from the bars, trying to at least get control of myself by looking away.
He took the keys from his pocket and opened the cell.
Marching over to me, he grabbed my throat and pressed me against the cold cinder block wall.
“Look at me.” It wasn’t a request. His fingers tightened, not enough to hurt, but enough to make sure I knew he was in control. He made the decisions. The only thing I could do was look into his steely eyes and obey. “Tell me the real reason you went on that date.”
“I was hoping spending time with him would make me want you less.” It didn’t even occur to me to lie.
“Did it?”
“No.” I answered honestly again.
I hadn’t been able to get Harrison out of my head. It didn’t help that I saw him come and go all day or that his driver still picked me up and brought me to and from work and the loaner apartment.
“I find you guilty, Ms. Carmichael. I find you guilty of disobeying, distracting, and being willfully insubordinate to me. Before I give you your sentence, I have one more question.”
CHAPTER 32
EDDIE
“Harrison, I—” His hand tightening around my throat in warning cut off my words.
“Ms. Carmichael, if I were to reach under your skirt right now, would I find your pussy wet and aching for me?”
“Yes.”
I had been wet for him from the moment he started his questioning. I didn’t understand how he did it. No other man had ever affected me the way Harrison Astrid did. What he was doing should have been seen as a threat. But I wanted him. My body wanted him.
“Good.” He slammed his lips to mine in a brutal kiss. It felt like he was trying to devour me, claim me, and I wanted to let him.