Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
I backed up toward the kitchen island, my thoughts racing.
“She means nothing to me,” Jason said. I could hear an engine roar in the background, and I knew he was in his truck. “I was hurt when you left, and I was looking for comfort. As soon as I get there, we can be together again.”
I knew he was telling her exactly what she needed to hear, but the words still hurt. I was pregnant with his child, and he was telling another woman that I meant nothing to him. I swallowed my pride and kept my eye trained on her weapon. She was just crazy enough to kill me, and though I’d thought that I didn’t want children in the past, I desperately wanted to bring my little bundle of joy into the world. I closed my eyes, focused on Jason’s voice as he kept talking.
“Just don’t kill her,” he was saying. “If you go to jail, we can never be together. I need you in my life, Angie.”
The tactic was working. When I snuck a glance, I could see Angie beginning to relax. She strutted across the living room floor, as if Jason were her shining prince and he was coming to rescue her instead of me.
“I’m almost there,” Jason said. “Tell me that she’s alright and that we can be together.”
“She’s alright,” Angie purred. “For now. I don’t know what you see in her.” She studied my face and my body, seeming to reject any indication that I might have something to offer a man.
“She’s nothing,” Jason assured her. “You’re my wife. I’m coming to take you home.”
A moment later, the sound of gravel crunching in the driveway alerted both of us to Jason’s presence. He burst through the door, hands held high in the air, desperate for confirmation that he wasn’t too late. When our eyes met, I saw that all the lies he had been telling her had been just that—lies. He had said whatever he had to say to make sure I was safe. Relief washed over his features as he eased his way into the cabin.
Angie stiffened, waving her gun frantically at me.
“I’m here,” Jason announced. “You can let her go. It’s just you and me now, Angie.”
“Are you going to leave her?” Angie squeaked, her hands shaking on the trigger.
“Yes, yes,” Jason promised. “You and me, we’ll go back to Nashville and start our life over again.”
“If you’re lying, I’ll kill her!” Angie fumed. Jason’s words seemed to be having the opposite effect on her now that he was in the same room. I could see she wanted to believe him, but was it enough? Would she really pull the trigger in an insane bid to win him back?
“I’m pregnant!” I shouted, silencing the entire room.
Both Angie and Jason whirled. Angie’s jaw dropped open, and something like betrayal flashed through her eyes. Jason seized the moment of indecision and leapt at her, yanking her off her feet and onto the ground. I jumped back behind the couch, scooting out of range as the two of them fought. I could hear Angie screaming bloody murder and scuffling sounds as Jason grappled for the gun. It was over almost before it began.
Jason raced around the couch, popping the lock on the pistol and sliding the clip free. He pocketed the ammunition, set the gun down on the couch cushion, and crouched beside me. I flew into his arms, exhaustion and terror emptying out of me in one long sob.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, pulling back to examine my face.
“No,” I whispered.
On the other side of the couch, I could hear Angie stirring. Jason leapt to his feet again, returning to the invader before she could rise. He pulled out his own revolver, grabbed her by one arm, and dragged her to the couch. He thrust her down on one end, caring nothing for how she landed. Then he turned to me and helped me to my feet, leading me gently to the love seat. We sat on opposite ends of the living room, both of us trembling in shock.
“But you said—” Angie began.
“You have the right to remain silent,” Jason cut her off. With his free hand, he pulled out his phone. “This is Detective Jason White. I have a 10-15 at my cabin. Request backup immediately.”
“Copy that,” Cheryl’s voice shone through. “Officers en route.”
“You got her pregnant?” Angie attempted to rise.
“Sit down!” Jason snarled. He didn’t even look at me. I felt horror settling in my stomach. My secret was out and in the worst possible way. I tried to focus on my breathing and being grateful to be alive. Still, my fantasy life with Jason could have reached a shattering conclusion. There was no way to have an honest conversation with Angie in the room. I would have to wait until the crisis passed to explain myself.