Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 313(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
But it might be too late for Marshall by then…
I could start screaming, but the only good that will probably do is wake the children.
Marshall is pushing back against the headboard like he believes he could escape through the wall if he tries hard enough. Then he shoots a pleading look towards me.
As if I could help him…
Marshall’s eyes widen suddenly as if he’s had a revelation.
“You want my life as payment?” he squeaks out.
Lucifer lifts an eyebrow and inclines his head. “Yes. That’s how these things usually go, isn’t it?”
Marshall licks his lips nervously, looks to me then back to Lucifer. “Would you accept another life as payment?”
He’s not about to say what I think he is, is he? No, he wouldn’t. No decent human being…
Lucifer’s upper lip curls with disdain but his voice sounds interested. “What are you proposing?”
Marshall is too cowardly to stop hugging his pillow so he nods his head to me instead. “Take her. Take my wife in my place.”
I’m so shocked, so floored, I suck in a sharp breath that never ends.
“You want me to kill your wife?” Lucifer asks and it feels like all the warmth was just sucked out of the room.
“No, of course not…” Marshall recoils at the murderous look on Lucifer’s face. “Just hold her as a deposit, an insurance, while I get you the five million.”
“You mean a ransom?” Lucifer clarifies.
Marshall nods his head up and down. “Yes, yes, that’s it. A ransom.”
My lungs full of air, I expel it all in a loud, “How could you!” and make a lunge for Marshall.
I’m not an object he owns. He can’t just trade me away to some creepy, beautiful stranger to save his own neck.
Marshall squeaks and scrambles away from me. I end up chasing him until he falls out of bed, landing on his ass.
I grip the edge of the mattress, panting with anger as I watch him scuttle backward until he bumps into Lucifer’s legs.
“As much as I would love to accept your offer,” Lucifer says as he pushes Marshall away with the toe of his shoe. “I’m afraid your wife is not worth the five million you owe me.”
Damn. I blink up at Lucifer, feeling utterly conflicted. On one hand, I don’t want to be given away, but on the other, it stings the ego a bit to hear I’m not worth five million dollars.
I snort though as Marshall goes to his hands and knees, kneeling in front of Lucifer to beg for mercy.
“Please,” Marshall begs, reaching out and grabbing Lucifer’s leg.
I’d pity him and try to help the poor bastard if he didn’t just try to trade me away in his place.
“There has to be something else I can give you…” Marshall sobs.
Lucifer makes a face of disgust and looks down at Marshall like he’s a bug he’d like to step on.
“Anything,” Marshall wails as Lucifer kicks at him. “Anything.”
I sit back on my heels and watch Marshall beg while taking the kick, wondering how all of this happened.
Lucifer’s head lifts and his eyes lock on me. His features are still, utterly calm, but there’s something dark stirring in the depths of his icy irises.
“Anything?” Lucifer queries.
“Yes, anything!” Marshall nods his head with sudden enthusiasm.
“I’ll accept your offer,” Lucifer grins at me. “If you give her to me permanently, and throw in your children.”
“No, no! You can’t!” I scream and I’m off the bed in an instant.
Marshall yelps and scuttles back until he’s hiding behind Lucifer’s legs.
Lucifer between us, blocking me, my hands clench into fists and I pant, trying to control the rush of rage that has flooded my head. I swear if Marshall offers this… this… inhuman monster my children, I’ll strangle him with my bare hands.
Lucifer smirks down at me as if he finds all of this amusing. I bristle under that smirk but suddenly feel self-conscious standing so close to him. He’s tall, with at least a foot on me, and I feel puny now standing in front of him.
“Well? Do we have a deal, Marshall?”
Marshall continues to use Lucifer as a shield like the coward he is. He pokes his head out only long enough to peek at me. “Yes!”
“No!” I screech and lunge forward, reaching around Lucifer to grab Marshall.
Marshall squeaks and stumbles backward, just out of my reach.
Lucifer grabs me by the arms, stopping my forward lunge and hauls me back. Chuckling, he pins my arms to my sides and I screech and struggle, trying to escape his grasp.
“We’re done here, Marshall. I suggest you leave now before I change my mind…”
“Leave? Why do I have to leave? This is my house!” Marshall protests.
Head tipping back, I glare up at Lucifer and continue to struggle. Damn, he’s stronger than he looks, though it is hard to tell just how built he is under that suit he’s wearing.