Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 106312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
But this was never going to end well.
I was always disposable; I just never thought I’d remove myself from the situation for his sake.
A sad smile curves the corners of my lips. But I’m grateful for how, in his own twisted way, he forced me to open my eyes and heart to the reality of a family I never knew was possible. I thought after Dad’s passing and my mother’s rejection that staying close to the shadows was best for me. And it still is, especially if it keeps the attention off Eli Monti. I have no doubt someone else will put a hit on this asshole, but at least whoever my anonymous client is will focus on tying up loose ends with me first.
Besides, I can’t lie to his family and walk down that aisle. That should be reserved for the woman who should rightly be by his side. I curl my fingers into my palms, noticing the absence of the ring I’d hated but have come to love.
I leave my yellow car behind, not taking anything with me that might be traceable. I take a cab to the train station, and when I’m there, I grab the few belongings I have and change into a different outfit, including a hoodie. I keep my father’s gun close to me, scared that any moment Eli might appear. I just need to get out of the city and away from this mess.
I switch my phone off, knowing better than to mess with Eli and his connections to people like Will Walker, who could easily trace me.
I don’t like these feelings that he evokes in me; they’re unwanted and unnecessary. And really, it’s unfair. We know so much about each other, even though most of what we learned was from stalking and research, not actually talking to one another. I know that that’s not healthy, but what in my life has ever been healthy? I’m not about to start walking a straight line all of a sudden when I love to jump over the edge. Maybe that was my problem. I saw the risk in him and wanted to jump.
My mind circles with thoughts of Eli, of everything I’m leaving behind, and I hold my bag close to my chest as I wonder if he’ll be furious because his plan didn’t work. I lay my face on the backpack, exhausted. This was always going to be a disaster. And I still don’t know if I’m doing the right thing.
But I know, without a doubt, I can no longer kill Eli. Perhaps I could’ve once. At the start. But not now. I sigh, exasperated.
It’s the early hours of the morning when the train comes to a stop. I’ve been sitting here for hours, stuck in my own head and trying to work out the best course of action, and I have come up with no resolution whatsoever. Well, nothing past the contingency plan Craig and I have always had if a hit went to shit like this. I just never thought it’d be for these reasons.
I get in the nearest cab and give the address for my destination. It isn’t long before we pull up in front of a familiar house. The front door opens, and I step out of the cab, exhausted. I meet Craig’s gaze. He has a cigarette hanging from his lips, a can of Pepsi in one hand, as he waits for me expectantly. It’s as good as any welcome I’ve ever gotten from him.
I offer a sad smile. It’s been months since I’ve seen him, and he’s technically the only family I have left.
“Jewel.” He shakes his head, and the moment my name leaves his lips, tears spill over my cheeks, and I rush into his embrace. “Oh shit. It’s that bad, huh?” he asks, tucking my head below his chin. I hate that I’m crying. I hate that I could only hold in the tears until now. I didn’t want Craig to see this side of me. The vulnerability and embarrassment of letting someone get into my head and failing at my job.
Maybe I’m not as tough as I thought. I’m a disappointment. I inhale his scent, trying to refamiliarize myself with my old life. But it does nothing to bring me back to that simpler time. When I pull back, he still has the cigarette dangling from his lips.
“So you ran away. I hope that asshole knows what it’s cost you.” And I know he’s not talking about the money. A hitwoman on the run is the worst position to be in. Others will come for me the moment the client knows I took off without completing the job. I can’t return the money, and their fear of being blackmailed is strong, so they’ll just wipe out the problem entirely.