Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
Her words cut deep, but I can’t help but strike back. I don’t have to put up with her shit.
“Did he deal with it by knocking me up?” Tia lets out a loud gasp.
“Liar!” Her face turns red.
“You’re the one spreading around my personal information about my doctor's appointment.”
“That you made an appointment.” She grabs the side of the doorframe. “I thought for like birth control or something.” I guess my words cut her as deeply as she’d done to me. “You’re lying. This is a ploy to get him to be with you.”
“I think Valen would know if there was a possibility that he knocked me up. I can’t fake that.”
“You got him drunk and took advantage.” She’s grasping at straws.
“I’m guessing that’s something you’d do.” I zip my bag. “The last thing I’m going to do is fight with a woman over a man’s love. I deserve better than that.”
“You do.” Valen’s deep voice rumbles. He appears behind Tia. “You’ve never had to fight for my love, Petal. I’ve always loved you.” I force a small smile. “Your fake smiles don’t work on me, Pet.”
“Vaughn, did you hear what she is trying to claim?”
“Tia, I warned you.” Valen flicks a glance down at her as if only now noticing her once she spoke.
“You can’t be serious. She’s a little girl. You’re misleading her. You don’t love her in that way,” Tia pleads with him.
“Have you lost your fucking mind?” Valen’s expression turns to one of rage. Not an ounce of care for Tia shows from him. All I can see is hate. I don’t understand what the heck is going on.
“Look at her!” Tia stomps her foot and points my way, reminding me of a spoiled toddler not getting her way.
“All I ever want to do is look at her.” Valen leans in closer to her. I’m not sure what he says ,but her face drains of blood turning white. “Get her or you’ll be penniless come the end of the month.” Valen steps back, and I see Uncle Cooper behind him. Tia doesn’t fight her dad when he grabs her arm and yanks her out of my bedroom.
“What are you doing here?” I ask when we’re alone. Valen is still looming in my doorway. I can tell he’s still very pissed.
“I think I should be asking you that, Pet.”
“I left school.”
“I heard.”
“You can’t make me go back.” I push my shoulders back, letting him know I’m serious.
“You’re not going anywhere.” What the heck? He can’t tell me what to do.
“I can go back if I want,” I blurt out, not making any sense at all. I wasn’t going back but not because he ordered it so.
“You’ll go where I tell you.” Valen strides over toward me.
“You don’t own me just because I’m pregnant.” Valen doesn’t flinch at my words, letting me know exactly how much he heard of Tia and my conversation.
“Wrong, Pet. I’ve always owned you.”
“Stop calling me that!” I can’t deny it. He has always owned my heart.
“Why would I do that when you love it so much?”
“That’s the problem!” I shout. He grabs my chin.
“I tried, Pet, I really did. Now you’re going to get what you think you’ve wanted all this time.” I lick my lips.
“What does that mean?” My heart hammers in my chest. I haven’t seen Valen this worked up with emotion since I woke up in a hospital bed with him looming over me.
“You wanted me. Now you’ve got me. You’ll never be free, pet.”
8
Valen
Petal is quiet. Too quiet, in fact. After I made her fate very clear to her, those beautiful eyes of hers almost popped out of her head. I wanted to hit something or someone for making her believe anything different.
The last thing you’re supposed to do is upset a pregnant woman. I think I’ve heard that. I know fuck-all about pregnant women, but I’ll learn and quick. A small part of my mind had wondered if that was why she’d made that doctor's appointment, but I didn’t let myself dream of such a thing.
I took a step back to give her a second to breathe. To let the reality of her life sink in. Hell, I need a minute myself. I’ve never wanted to murder someone while at the same time experiencing what is one of the greatest moments of my life.
She’s pregnant. Petal really has sealed her fate.
I wanted to tell the driver to turn the vehicle around so I could go back to throttle her family while also wanting to get her as far away from them as possible. I went with getting her out of there before I committed murder and then fucked her on her bed.
Jesus Christ, there is something wrong with me. I run my hand down my face.
I want to reach over and pull her into my lap, but her seatbelt is staying on. This might actually be one of the better options for us to talk. I can’t maul her, and she can’t try to run. Yes, my pet is good at that.