Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
It was the only way I’d been able to survive.
“Did you retaliate?”
Her voice was soft in the darkness. I still stood by the window, refusing to get closer, to look at her.
Because I knew what I’d see. Her gaze would hold empathy. And that would just piss me off. I curled my hands tightly into fists, and felt her gaze on me, tracing every scar that covered my body.
I closed my eyes as I thought about all the times I tried to go after Zachariah. “Keep your enemies close,” I murmured. “My brother was clever, the bastard. So I waited. Watched. But he started getting sloppy, careless. Cracks were showing, frays in what he did in the dark. So I dug deeper, and realized he was swindling not only his money, but the company funds as well.” I ground my back molars. “I could’ve ended him, destroyed him with all of that. And I would have. I planned on it. I wanted him to suffer, to become homeless and destitute before I delivered that final blow.”
I let those words hang between us, let them sink in. She needed to know what a fucking monster I really was.
“All that ran through my veins was revenge.”
“Did you… are you the reason…” The look on my face must have frightened her, because she moved back on the bed and brought the sheet closer to her chest.
As if that would keep me away from her. As if anything on this fucking planet could keep her from me.
“Accidents aren’t how I do things, baby. No, my retaliation would’ve been in the form of vicious vengeance. And since he’s gone… you’re the next best thing. Because hurting you would’ve ruined him.”
I ran a hand over my face, suddenly feeling exhausted. When exactly had my plans changed where Persephone was concerned?
“You knew there was something not right with all of this. You’re not only beautiful, you’re smart. Come on, darling.’ I could see her mind working as she put together the pieces.
I was growing pissed. She was too fucking good for me but I was too selfish to let her go. I hated myself, hated her for making me feel anything but rage and the darkness I’d always been comforted by.
I lashed out. It was my default. And being stripped bare, telling her things that made me vulnerable, conjured so much anger in me I wanted to tear this room apart.
“I knew but—”
“It’s easier to pretend no one wants to hurt you, sweetheart.” I growled those words and came closer to her, hating myself, this situation, and being so fucking bared right now.
She shook her head and closed her eyes.
“You can’t pretend it’s not right in front of your fucking face.”
I’d been molded and shaped into the monster I was, a machine who destroyed. Even if that meant my own… happiness.
As if a creature like me could ever be happy, could ever deserve that elusive emotion.
“Your father deserved what he got. I just wish I could have watched him suffer.”
Tears welled in her eyes, the moonlight reflecting in that sheen before a fat droplet rolled down her cheek.
“You’re so pretty when you cry. But save those tears. I certainly don’t deserve them.”
“Just stop,” she finally said, her voice threadbare but I could see her anger starting to cross her features.
I kept moving closer and she retreated until she was now off the bed and standing on the other side of the mattress.
As if that would make her safe. But I let her have her false sense of bravado and protection. I gave her a sadistic smile, this twinge in my chest making me feel unhinged. I may act like I was enjoying this, but the truth was, frightening her in this way didn’t bring me pleasure, not like it did with everybody else.
Make her see who you really are. Let Bunny know you’re not truly a monster. Not to her.
I stood on the other side of the bed, just feet separating us as I stared into her eyes. With the shadows playing over the room, and the wild energy pouring off of me, this situation appeared even more ominous.
“You forced my hand. Bought me. Used me.”
“Judge Wilcox was in my pocket. He’s a slimy bastard, and does deplorable things. Or at least tries to. He’s a stupid fuck and gets caught every single time. But his money and connections allow him to get away with it.” I grinned broader. “But I have my ways to get what I want. I have correspondence between the bastard and underage girls. Girls from his son’s school. I have videos of him trying to accost women.”
I watched her face, saw the mix of expressions move across it.
“I was just biding my time, planned on going through with everything while Zachariah was still alive. But the bastard died before I could exact my revenge. At least… while he could witness it all.”