Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“It means my husband is an overbearing prick with more money and power than he deserves.”
He grins and shakes his head. “No, it means the target on your back just quadrupled in size. Kellen’s got enemies and not just the people up in that big, fancy house over there. There are guys in this city that would happily cut his throat ear to ear and watch him bleed out in the dirt, and they’d do the same to you if it meant nothing more than ruining his day.”
My hands tremble at the thought and I have to look away. Kellen seems almost normal and sophisticated here, and I have to remember that for the past seven years he’s been building his own crime empire through blood and ruthless violence. Rory’s calm smile is terrifying, and the picture he paints doesn’t help with my discomfort. I walk a few feet away and take a couple deep breaths, trying to square what he’s saying with the facts staring me in the face.
If I accept this, I’m going to have a guy follow me around for the remainder of my time with Kellen. There will be guards on me constantly and I’ll never have a moment alone. My husband in the room and his goons out in the gardens, and any peace and contentment I might’ve felt working this land will slowly fade away as the facts of my imprisonment stare me in the face.
That’s only slightly dramatic.
But it’s not far from the truth.
I signed up to be his wife and help him win this stupid game he’s playing with Hugh, but I didn’t anticipate having a babysitter.
I turn back to Rory. “I want you to leave me alone.”
His smile falters. “I can’t.”
“I’m serious. Go back to the house. Call Kellen and tell him I sent you away and wouldn’t stop screaming until you left. Tell him whatever you need to say to keep your ass from getting in trouble, but go away.”
“Tara—”
“No, don’t, I’m not interested. I’ve given up enough for this already and never asked for any of it. I’m not giving up what little pleasure I get from these gardens on top of everything else Kellen demands from me.”
“I can’t leave you unprotected. If something happens—”
“Then where is he?”
“With his mother, but—”
I march past him toward the house. He leaps up and chases after me, but I start running. I’m in good shape and pretty fast, and he curses as he comes after me. “Hey, stop!” he calls out, but I slip into the back door and hurry through the living room before he can stop me. I hit the stairs at a sprint, taking them two at a time, make it to the top, rush down the maze-like halls, and reach the master suite. I bang on the door until Kellen materializes, frowning at me, his expression dark.
“What are you doing here?”
“You sent Rory to follow me around. Order him to stop.”
He glances over my shoulder to where Rory appears, breathing hard. “Sorry, boss, she’s faster than she looks.”
Kellen’s jaw works. He says nothing for a long time before he turns and slams the door in my face. I stand there, not sure what the hell just happened, and Rory glares at me.
“Don’t give me that look, I gave you every opportunity,” I say to him and raise my fist to pound again.
But the door opens and Kellen steps out.
“Be quiet,” he says softly. “Mother is sleeping.”
He grabs my arm and yanks me away, dismissing Rory with a wave. Poor Rory walks off, head hanging and grinning uncertainly, as Kellen pulls me down the hall.
“Where are you going?” I ask, struggling to get away. “Let me go, asshole. I don’t want a guard. I’m not putting up with that. I won’t—”
He yanks me hard into a room I’ve never noticed before and slams me up against a wall. I gasp in shock, seeing stars, and he flips on the lights. I catch a glimpse of a massive cigar humidor and a drink table laden with bottles and glasses in the corner before he yanks me from the wall and shoves me up against a pool table, spins me around, and grabs my hair so hard it burns.
I moan in surprise and pain as he pins me against the felt and holds me there.
It happened so fast. One moment, we’re walking down the hall, and the next he’s throwing me around like he owns me. The brutality and speed are shocking and terrifying, and my heart’s racing in my throat.
“You’re already making my life difficult,” he says firmly. “I wasn’t giving you an option. Rory and Angus are good men, both of them are trustworthy, and they’ll keep you alive when I’m not around to make sure you’re safe myself. This isn’t a discussion.”