Series: Shame On You Series by Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51495 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51495 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
“He’s still waiting to be released.”
“Michael, what is the update?” Carter questions businesslike, without addressing me at all.
The lawyer clears his throat. “Maybe we should discuss this in private?”
Carter nods sharply.
“Lead the way.” The lawyer steps further into the house as my feet remain planted where they are, the door to my back. Once again I’m wondering if I could possibly open it.
Carter begins to follow the hollow steps of expensive shoes against marble, but he hesitates. “Do you need company?” His question is gentle and catches me off guard so much that I peer up into his dark gaze.
I shake my head as I swallow thickly. Without conscious consent, my arms cross over my chest and then I let them drop again, all the while avoiding his monitoring gaze. I’ve had enough of being scared and confused, and it’s not getting better. But all I know for sure is that I want Declan.
Eyes guarded, Carter looks me up and down. “Where will you be?”
My voice cracks, so I clear my throat and start again. “Kitchen.”
He nods, then holds out a hand and gestures toward the kitchen.
A light above the stove is on, giving low light to the space. Time passes so slowly and at first I sit, but then I stand and go about without thinking much. I open cupboards until I find a glass, then fill it in the sink. The cool water eases my dried throat, but it makes me feel a bit sick. I press my wrist to my forehead and make myself drink more water. When the glass is half-empty, I dump the rest into the sink and put the glass down harder than I meant to. I almost expect it to crack, but the glass holds.
It feels less fragile than I do. The kitchen begins to tilt, and damn—if I don’t sit down soon, I’ll probably fall and hit my head on the floor. Then I'd be at the mercy of whoever finds me.
I get to a chair at the kitchen table just as my knees go wobbly and give out. Burying my face in my hands, I feel them shake. Memories of the hospital and the two fake detectives make me feel sick and betrayed. By those two men, for playing a role like that and asking me so many questions, but mostly by Declan.
He lied. It’s all I can focus on because I don’t want to believe it. I remember how he kissed me while I laid in that bed. How he silenced every fear just then.
How much of it was a lie?
Though the lawyer and Carter aren’t speaking loudly, I can hear the murmurs of their conversation through the walls. I didn’t want to be alone, but this is the worst way to be alone. I’m not by myself. I’m with Carter, who I know is going to watch my every move, and I’m not protected.
I swallow thickly as the memories of feeling so safe with Declan rush back into my mind. My eyes burn but I don’t let any tears slip down under my palms. Was I wrong to believe he loved me? It seems from all the evidence the day has revealed that I was.
The refrigerator kicks on, humming away in its spot in the kitchen. Thankfully it blocks out the rumble of Carter’s conversation with the lawyer. I don’t want to hear a word of it. I don’t want to be a part of any of this.
I breathe through my nose and release each breath through my mouth, trying to calm myself. Whatever else happens, I need to stay as strong as I can.
Voices in the hallway tell me that Carter and the lawyer are finished talking. I hear them exchange goodbyes, and then the whoosh of air as the front door opens. It closes a second later and I hear the lock flip.
Then footsteps. Fuck. My heart thumps at the same pace.
I take my hands away from my eyes and sit up straight behind the table. I could pray and beg for that man not to come in here but I know he’s going to. Of course he is.
Carter enters the kitchen with worry in his eyes and comes to me without hesitation, putting one hand on my shoulder. “How are you doing, Braelynn?”
It’s not at all what I expected to happen. An interrogation would be more in line with what’s happened since the police burst into the hotel room. The unexpected kindness from Carter makes me want to let go of all the strength I’ve been holding on to and break down. My chin quivers, but I close my teeth together. If I let the breakdown happen, he’d hold me.
“I’m okay.” At my words, he squeezes my shoulder and moves to the other side of the table, sitting down across from me.