Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66977 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66977 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
The man my future husband is going to slaughter probably isn’t the answer he’s looking for.
Rather than respond with the obvious, I resume my wrist movements; however, I focus on keeping the rest of my figure completely still to avoid detection.
“Do you recall seeing my face in your files?”
Nope.
Although now I’m wondering if I should have?
“Yes, years have passed, but I still did quite remarkable work, so I know I have hit your desk at least once.”
Many people have.
It doesn’t mean I know or remember them all.
I sort through data.
I don’t memorize all of it.
“Do you plan to ignore me for the remainder of our time together?”
Hm.
I wonder if that whole get them monologuing trope from our favorite film franchises actually works?
Will it really throw them off their game?
Get them to reveal their ultimate plan?
At the very least keep him totally distracted while I free my hands since no one was smart enough to secure my feet too.
Something tells me that the monster who yanked me out of the car and was responsible for securing me is going to get his ass handed to him.
Maybe even his head.
Like his actual head when Slater takes this yacht.
“How about I go first?” He leans back against the cushions and crosses one slender slacks covered leg over the other. “I’m Ivan Rosenkrantz.”
My writhing pauses to push around the strands of the knot to aid in loosening it.
“You’ve probably heard a lot about me even if it’s not currently ringing a bell.”
Or any bells.
Then again, the only bells I’m hearing are alarm ones that are all screaming to get the fuck out of dodge by any means necessary.
“And I know quite a lot about you, Arlette Carmichael.”
Never a good thing to hear from the lips of the person determined to kill you.
“Math genius. Programming princess. Behavioral specialist. Data extraordinaire.”
Maybe like one of those things.
His icy coated lettering lands in my lap, sending shivers down my spine.
I gotta get out of here.
Away from him.
Away from whatever he’s got planned.
Whatever he’s capable of.
“What I wanna know, Arlette, is how you found me.”
Needing to move my arms up and down – the next step in the breaking free process we went over when I was posed like I was kidnapped – I lean forward to hide my movements behind a sassy head bobble. “You. Found. Me. Remember?”
His small grunt of amusement pushes me back in place to begin with step one all over again.
This shit hurts.
Plus, it hurts even more with the metal portion of my charm bracelet cutting into me, but I’m hoping I can use that in my favor. That the sharp edges will help fray the strands. Weaken its strength.
That this possibility is an extra reason my boyfriend wanted me to wear it around the clock.
Ivan folds his hands in his lap at the same time he clarifies, “How did you find out about my activities?”
I lift my eyebrows to tempt him into confessing what it is I already know.
“My…relocating…of previous Haworth employees.”
“Poaching.”
“That seems like a bit of a misnomer.”
A sarcastic head tilt is delivered to further mask my more aggressive actions.
“It’s not illegal, although some believe it to be unethical.” He offers me an emotionless shrug. “However, given the way HE operates that’s a laughable accusation.”
Yet I’m not laughing.
Or giggling.
Or so much as smirking over his statements.
The only thing I’m doing is what my bodyguard trained me to do, which is keep at it until my hands are free.
Until I have that window to act.
“I’m very curious, you know.” Seeing the corners of his lip twist causes my stomach to do the same. “My system had been working for years prior to your little snooping exhibition.” His grip tightens while mine hastens. “What inspired it?”
Aware that I need more time to work, I reply, “Someone forgot to sign a piece of their paperwork.”
“What?”
“I was reviewing forms – per protocol – and found one unsigned by a recently resigned operative. This led to me reviewing his last batch of documents that also had missing signatures, which I’m required to report on.” Feeling the tightness finally begin to dissipate sends tingles of hope throughout my burning, bent arms. “This led me to his exit eval assessment where it was noted that he was exhibiting unusual brash and brazen behaviors most likely as a result of a crucial life change. Carelessness in work in his final days – like improperly finishing tasks – was also mentioned as another indicator that something major in his life most likely transpired and the abrupt departure of his job was a direct result.” The continued unravelling situation pushes me to proceed. “The phrasing of the analysis sounded familiar, so I checked another recently resigned agent to find he too had been reported for displaying similar behaviors. So, I…pursued the data further inevitably leading me to discover the deep-rooted issue known as you.”