Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49114 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
I walked away after saying bye to the old man. I didn’t even pretend to look for her incubator to say hi or bye. I pulled my phone as soon as I started down the walkway to the car. “I need everything you can get me on the daughter. Everything!”
I hung up the phone with a heavy feeling on my heart and as I turned the key in the ignition, realized that today was the first day in many that I hadn’t thought of revenge.
I came up short at the thought. It’s been the only thing on my mind since the whole mess started, and yet, in one day she’d taken my mind off that worry. The even scarier thought, for me anyway, is that I now had two gentle souls to protect. Mom, and Elaina.
Elaina
“So, what did you two do all day? You sly dog you. I knew you weren’t mine for nothing. Well, did you work him?” How did I know that she was going to find her way into my room the first chance she got?
I had no sooner made my excuses to come take a much-needed bath when she showed up. I was still on a high from my day spent with the misunderstood Luke when she came in and tarnished the memories.
“We just had lunch and ice cream.”
“Sure that’s all. You had a hunk like that at your disposal and all you did was eat? You’ve got to up your game if you want to get in there. If we both play our cards right, we’ll both be set for life.”
“Is that all you see? They’re not people to you but dollar signs?” She was as surprised as me at my little word vomit. And the look on her face had me regretting my rash words immediately.
When she walked across the room and dug her nails into my hand I can’t say that I was surprised. I knew it was coming sooner or later.
“Listen here missy, don’t think that because Luke Carstairs took you out and about today that that changes anything. You’re still my daughter and I’m the one who brought you here to this cushy life. Don’t you start putting on airs with me.”
I swallowed my dread and once again wished that I was strong enough to tell her to go to hell. I’d been so distracted by Luke today that I’d all but forgotten what I saw her doing this morning. The reminder left me feeling cold and brought back all the worrisome thoughts from before.
I had to do something quick before she went off on one of her rages. If she felt threatened in any way I knew she’d find a way to get me out of here. And then what? Who would protect this family from her and her dangerous schemes?
It can’t be safe for a man his age to be taking whatever non-prescribed drug she’s been feeding him all this time. So what now Elaina? You’ve decided to stick your nose in? How brave, when you’ve never been able to stand up to her in the past.
Not for myself, but for an innocent old man. And for the son who’d shown me such kindness today, even as my own mother, my own flesh and blood had schemed to destroy his family.
And for the mother he spoke of with such loving tenderness in his voice. It made me wonder what it would be like to be loved like that, by someone like him. Someone that kind, strong and brave.
So as scared as I was, I bit back the fear and for the first time tried to play my mother at her own game. It shouldn’t be that hard. She isn’t exactly bright after all. She just thinks she is, that she’s smarter than everyone.
“Of course that’s not what I’m saying. But you must remember, I’m new at this stuff. I felt so unprepared today being with someone like him.” I put on an air of unaffectedness as I eased my hand out of hers and moved around the room collecting the stuff I needed for my bath.
She didn’t even think to doubt my sincerity. So accustomed was she to my cowering ways. I breathed easy again when she laughed her annoying braying laugh and became amiable once more.
“Well now you’re talking. If you want to land a big fish like him you’re going to need my guidance.” She went on to tell me her way of getting a man into her clutches as I walked into the bathroom to turn on the water in the tub.
I tuned her out because I didn’t want to be tainted by her vile words, and thought instead about the day I’d had. And the man I’d so obviously misunderstood.
Luke
I sat behind my desk in my home office stymied and just a little sick in the stomach. I had the report my team had put together on the girl. It wasn’t much, but then again there wasn’t much to her life so far. And to think, I’d almost destroyed her.