Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 64751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
I see red, mostly because I’m hurt and completely blindsided. The fact that she would actually say that to me, after everything I’ve confided in her. I take a menacing step toward her, forcing her to take another one back. Ethan curls his fingers around my arm in an attempt to stop me, and as I jerk it from his grips, I swing too hard and my body slams against Ella’s. Everything happens in slow motion after that. She stumbles, her eyes widen, and as if in slow motion, she trips and falls, toppling over the edge. Just like that ... she’s gone.
Simply gone.
Jerking awake, I bolt upright in bed and realize very quickly that I’m soaked in a cold sweat.
Another nightmare, only it’s not make-believe.
It’s real, and it hangs over my head every single day.
Glancing over at the man sleeping beside me, I clench my eyes shut. It’s the very reason I’m still here, and the only reason he continues to have so much control over me. What happened out there that day is a secret that both of us will take to the grave, but the only problem is that he blackmails me every day of my life by using it.
He knows it’ll keep me around, because he knows how afraid I am of both him and the truth.
“Dreaming over her again.”
His rumbly voice has my eyes popping open.
I look down at him.
Once, I thought he was the biggest blessing to ever enter my life. Boasting thick dark hair that hangs around his shoulders and dazzling blue eyes, I thought I’d hit the jackpot. He’s gorgeous, and he knows it. The catch of a lifetime, I told my mom once. The best thing to ever happen to me. I thought he was everything, until he showed me the monster that lies beneath.
Now, he traps me in a cage, holding the key so I can never escape.
“No,” I say, my voice husky.
“You lie,” he bites out, as his hand jerks the covers back to reveal a raging boner.
I used to love sleeping with this man, now I loathe it.
If I don’t, however, the consequences are simply not worth it.
“You know what to do.”
Stomach twisting, I don’t bother to argue. Instead, I push off the bed, pull my panties aside and climb over him. Sliding down onto his dick, I keep my face expressionless as I quickly bring him to release. I know how to work him now, to make it quick. I can’t stand to be here a second longer than I need. I know he’s sleeping with other women, but that doesn’t stop his expectations of me as his ‘wife’.
Once he’s done, I go to slide off when his hand lashes up to curl around my upper arm. He knows not to leave bruises where people can see them. He wants me to have a job, of course, because it brings in money and it’s another area of my life he can control. “I’m away this weekend. If I find out you leave this house ...”
Swallowing the bile that rises in my throat, I look down at him and nod.
He releases me.
I learned it’s best not to fight.
Fighting only ends in pain.
I was never raised to be a fighter. I’ve always been quiet and compassionate.
My biggest weakness.
3
He didn’t show up.
That cocky, arrogant, shit of a biker didn’t show up to get Hope.
Nor did Bonnie.
He is ensuring that I have no choice but to take her to him, just like he said. The confidence of this man is absolutely out of control. I’m in no mood for him today, but I’m not going to show Hope that I’m upset. No, I’m better than that. Instead, I tell her in a happy tone that I get to take her home today. She likes that idea, because she is slowly warming to me, and, if I’m being honest, I kind of adore her, too.
“Your uncle asked if I could help you with your homework today,” I tell her, as we leave the school. “Would you like that?”
I’m certain what I’m doing is against every rule in the book, but he won’t answer his phone, and I’m left with no other option. I can’t leave her alone, and I’m going to make sure she gets home safely, no matter the cost. It can’t hurt to help her out a little with her homework, too. I am there, after all.
“Yes,” she tells me in a soft tone as I open the door to my car and she climbs in.
I know where the clubhouse is, and considering I don’t have Ford’s address, I’m going to have to guess he’ll be there. Everyone in town knows of the motorcycle club and all the parties they have. Don’t get me started on all the drugs that float through town that they are more than willing to supply. They’re criminals, and it kills me to know that Hope is involved with no other options.