Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 124323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 497(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 497(@250wpm)___ 414(@300wpm)
Doing my best not to seem guilty of murder—even if it was justified and merciful—I said, “Sully’s system shut down due to overexertion. The stress of protecting me, of seeking vengeance for all the animals and human lives that Drake stole when he bombed Serigala, of doing his best to fix what his brother had ruined—it all took a toll.” I squeezed his fingers, my temper brushing aside my tiredness and making me snap. “The only enemy here is Drake. He would’ve raped and killed me if Sully hadn’t arrived in time. Sully gave up his life so he could save mine. Therefore, I would appreciate you close whatever report you need to and allow him to recuperate in peace.”
Susilo frowned. “Where is Drake Sinclair? Allegations of murder, rape, and kidnapping are serious, indeed, and he should be brought to justice.”
He’s in a million pieces buried around Geneva.
I stiffened. “I have no idea where he is.”
“None?” He studied me far too closely. “Where did he take you when you were kidnapped?”
Louise flicked me a glance. I ignored her and answered honestly. “Geneva.”
“So he’s in Switzerland?”
“No idea.”
“If you know something that you’re not telling me, ma’am—”
“I don’t know anything more.” I stood, breaking contact with Sully and crossing my arms. “You really need to leave.”
Almost on cue, the heart rate monitor spluttered with a flickering pulse. Dr Maldon might have told these policemen that Sully had no reaction to stimuli, but he reacted to me, and my lack of touch sent him into a free-fall.
The doctors leaped into action, ripping aside the mosquito net that’d fallen around the bed to check hastily on their patient.
The police officer never took his gaze off me, almost as if he could taste my dance around the truth and didn’t know how to rip the real story from my lips.
If they took me to Jakarta for questioning.
If they take me away from Sully...
Swallowing back my temper, I allowed my exhaustion to smother me, to etch my eyes and thicken my voice. I wasn’t above using weakness for sympathy. “Look, we’re happy to answer anything you need when Sullivan recovers. Leave your card and we’ll be in touch the moment he wakes...if he wakes.” I dropped my gaze to the floor, embracing every bit the grieving widow. “But please...if he doesn’t, he is not the one you need to hunt.”
Four of the policemen picked up their chairs and left the bedroom while Susilo stayed, his stare too shrewd. “It is not my intention to cause more distress after your ordeal, ma’am. However, I am also not an idiot.” He moved toward me. “Sullivan Sinclair is well-known to law enforcement in America. He has a file the size of encyclopaedia on vigilante behaviour, bribes, and even murder. I’m aware he has never been officially convicted, but where there are rumours, there is truth.”
Running his hands down his decorated blazer, he nodded brusquely. “We shall return...with a search warrant. There are secrets on this island that require deeper investigation. Until then, please do not travel. This is an on-going case, and your freedom has been restricted until we learn the full story.” Turning on his heel, he strode from Sully’s bedroom and out of the villa.
Shit.
Shit!
Sully was innocent in this mess...but he wasn’t in others.
He had purchased goddesses who were hiding on another island. Women who would gladly blab that he’d drugged them with elixir and rented them out to guests.
I doubted the police would be as lenient if they knew he traded in the black market and dabbled in trafficking.
If they find his goddesses...
It wouldn’t matter if he woke up, he’d die an old man in prison.
I need to see Dr Campbell...Cal.
I need to figure out a way to protect him.
He might have committed those crimes but...he’s different now.
He’s changed.
He has to.
“Eleanor.” A tap on my shoulder. “Eleanor.”
My panic broke, dropping me back into my current stress. “Yes?”
“Go back to him, please. His pulse is unsteady.”
Sucking in a breath, I nodded and returned to Sully’s side.
I sat beside the man I loved.
I slipped my hand into his and gave him something to fight for.
All while my mind raced with ways to fight on his behalf.
The old Sullivan had to disappear.
And to do that...I had to rip apart the very dynasty he’d created.
Chapter Twenty-Two
THIS FADING IN AND out bullshit had to stop.
One moment, I was nothing.
The next, I was something.
One second, I was strong and able to sense movement around me, hushed voices, and glowing strings.
The next, I was weak and washed away to some blackened wasteland.
But now I was back.
I was ‘awake’ even if my exterior form still registered no aliveness.
I’d returned from wherever I’d been, and panic filled me as I searched the shadows for my string.
There.
A faint glimmering of gold, undulating like kelp beneath the sea, beckoning me to grab and take hold.