Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
I took the plate from Maeme and placed a singular waffle and a spoonful of berries onto it before taking the maple syrup and lightly drizzling it over the top.
“I know King said he’d be back tonight, but that was wishful thinking. He knows not to promise such. Why don’t you stay here with me? You can sleep in the blue room.”
Would he have lied to me about that? Why not tell me the truth? He had promised not to lie to me anymore, but then did that mean anything really? Would I ever know if he was telling me the truth?
“Do you think it’s still unsafe for me to stay alone?” I asked her.
She nodded her head. “Yeah. It’s why King has been staying at the house with you instead of going back to his place or the room in the stables.”
That was the first time I’d heard someone talk about his place. I knew he said he stayed at the stables most of the time, but I hadn’t realized he had a home somewhere else. Was it an apartment? I doubted it was a house. He was a single man who barely lived there.
I realized Maeme was watching me. Waiting for a response.
“Oh, uh, thank you. I’ll stay if you think it’s best.”
“Yes, it is best. Now, tell me, how are you feeling? I’m happy you chose to stay with us, but are you still good with that decision?”
I set my plate down, then climbed up and sat on the barstool before responding, “Yes, I think I made the right choice.” That was a lie. I wasn’t at all sure that I had. I just didn’t think I had the strength to walk away from him. The thought was more painful than the betrayal had been.
“You’re gonna be fine. Soon, you’ll have a life again. One where you can go to the store and feel safe. You can do whatever you want. Start over fresh.”
I stared down at the food on my plate. “I don’t even have a college degree,” I told her.
“You have plenty of money to get one of those if you want. When the time is right,” she said with a pat on my back.
I shook my head. “I don’t have any money,” I replied.
Hill had never given me access to his accounts.
“Of course you do. It’s all safely tucked away for now until this mess is over with the Insantos gang. It’s been hidden for you and will be given to you when the time comes.”
I shook my head, not understanding. “What do you mean?”
Maeme squeezed my hand with one of hers. “The bastard you were married to. We got back what he’d stolen from us, and then the rest was placed away for you. He’s dead. You were his wife. The money belongs to you. Then, there will be the money from the sale of your house. King is overseeing that.”
I was speechless. The house itself would sell for almost two million dollars. I knew he hadn’t owned it, and there was a mortgage, but he had bragged about what a good investment it was. It was worth half a million more than what he’d originally paid for it.
“That’s … that’s a lot of money,” I said, trying to wrap my head around it.
“That it is, my dear. Your future looks bright. I can’t wait to see you flourish. Spread your wings. Live the life you deserve.”
What did that even mean, the life I deserved?
• three •
You’ll release dark shit.
Rumor
The warmth of the body covering my back woke me. I opened my mouth to scream when a large hand muffled the sound.
“Easy, sweets. It’s just me,” King’s deep voice said close to my ear.
I stared at the wall, trying to decide if this was a dream or real. King didn’t get in my bed anymore. He obeyed the rules and lines I had set. Even when I lay in bed at night with him in the other room, wishing he would defy them and come to me.
“I’m gonna remove my hand, but don’t scream. Or Maeme will be in here with her Glock pointed at my head within seconds.”
I nodded as his hand left my mouth to caress my arm.
“Good girl,” he praised as if I had done something worthy of it.
“What are you doing in here?” I asked quietly.
He pressed a kiss to my shoulder. “You’re here,” he replied as he left another kiss on my neck.
I closed my eyes and attempted to will my body not to react. Which was a joke.
“You … you’re in bed with me.” My words came out as a stammer while he nuzzled against me.
“Mmhmm,” he murmured. “And you feel like heaven. I’ve missed you.”
This wasn’t fair. All my good intentions seemed weak when tested. King’s body, his scent …