Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 135378 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135378 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
He’s proven tonight that he’s willing to commit crimes to get his way and cover his tracks. I’ve seen that he apparently has friends who will help him clean up his crime scenes.
What else might he do?
What might he do to me?
“So, you got what you wanted. Why won’t you let me go home now?”
His gaze flickers in my direction, but a car approaches in the other lane, so he doesn’t look at me for long. “I already told you. I want to spend the night with you.”
“Then you’ll let me leave in the morning?”
He doesn’t answer that question.
I wait for it, thinking perhaps… I don’t know what, but he has to answer me.
Because it’s an easy answer.
Yes.
Of course I’ll let you go home in the morning.
If he just wants to use me one more time to satisfy his urges and then he’ll let me go home, I’ll stop complaining and let him have his way, but so much has happened tonight that’s swirling through my mind.
He asked if I was his girlfriend.
I would have never said yes to that, but I was desperate for him to stop using that toy on me. My body couldn’t take much more. I felt like I was losing my mind, and the shame that came with the physical release…
I didn’t mean it.
He knew I didn’t mean it. Everything I’ve agreed to, I’ve agreed to under coercion. He’s always making me do things.
A new, scarier question occurs to me.
When will it stop?
I thought it was odd how quickly he dropped me after coming on so strong, sure, but it was a relief as well. It meant I could get back to my life and stop looking over my shoulder.
Clearly, I wasn’t looking over my shoulder enough.
“How did you know I’d come to his house tonight?” I ask softly, remembering some of the things he said to me earlier. “How did you know what I even talked to Professor DeMarco about?”
“You shouldn’t ask questions you don’t want answers to, Sophie.”
“I do want answers. If I tried to tell anyone the truth about you, they’d think I’m crazy. I don’t even understand it. Why are you doing this to me? Why won’t you leave me alone?”
“I will never leave you alone,” he snaps.
My eyes widen, and I rear back, alarmed at the frightening intensity of his words.
I can tell he didn’t mean to say it, at least not like that.
He lost his temper.
My questions made him angry.
I swallow, hugging myself tight as if I can stop from unraveling, but I’m not sure I can.
When he speaks again, his tone is more controlled. I can tell he didn’t mean to scare me. “Just stop asking questions, Sophie. You’re coming to my house. You’re going to spend the night. I didn’t mean to snap at you, but it’s been a long few days for me, too.”
I don’t say anything for a moment. Can’t decide if I should.
But finally, I decide to tell the truth. “I’m afraid you’re going to hurt me,” I say softly.
I feel his gaze on me, but I don’t turn my head to meet it.
“I told you I wouldn’t,” he says solemnly.
“I know,” I whisper.
But I don’t believe you.
Chapter Twenty-two
Silvan
I changed my mind on the way home.
I did plan to let her go home tomorrow, but Sophie’s reaction in the car made me realize something.
She needs firmer boundaries.
She doesn’t understand her place right now, so she’s spinning around trying to find it.
Until she does, she won’t be able to feel secure.
Sophie needs a firm hand right now.
I need to let her know exactly where she stands, conventionality be damned.
I want her to give up on this foolish notion that she’ll ever get away from me. I want her softness back, and I always get it once I’ve trapped her and she knows she has to rely on my mercy.
She needs to learn to rely on me.
So she can’t go home tomorrow.
She can’t learn it as quickly from so far away.
Giving her space now would just lead to us going around in circles, and I don’t enjoy this path. I’m sure she doesn’t, either.
She’s quiet as I park the car and take her hand to lead her into the house.
“My parents are home,” I tell her.
Her gaze flickers to mine, startled. “Will I meet them?”
“Yes. When you do, it would be easier for me if you didn’t mention that you’re a little reluctant to stay the night with me.”
“A little reluctant,” she mutters. “What if I tell them I’m ‘a little reluctant’ about the whole of our acquaintance?”
I crack a smile. “I’d prefer you didn’t.”
She’s quiet again as I lead her into the house. She’s been here before, but it looks a bit different. Our housekeeper has already removed the Halloween decorations in favor of Christmas decor.