Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 32313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
“Why wasn’t I notified the moment he stepped foot in my state?”
“I don’t know Sir. Security was sleeping on it.”
“They are all fired.” I yell into the phone. I grab my car keys and wallet and am in my Lebaron in less than two minutes. My mind is going a mile a minute. What the fuck is he doing here? Did her sisters bring him here? I know they don’t believe I love her, but this seems cruel. Who am I kidding? What I really want to know is if she wants him to be here. Maybe it was out of sight, out of mind. What would I do then? Kill him and keep her. Simple. I have to get to my woman.
Chapter Fourteen
LILAH
I was not expecting Markis when my sisters happily told me to come over. But here he is, at my front door staring at me and I am speechless. No. Literally. My mouth is glued together. “It’s so good to see you sweetheart. I have missed you.” he stands in front of me, no longer a text message I can ignore or a phone call I cannot answer. He is standing here in front of me, and I would be a liar if I didn’t admit I am happy to see him. I missed him as well. Not like I would miss Blake, but Markis was reliable, kind and sweet. He was the first guy to notice me and the first one to tell me I was beautiful. I owe him much more than he has gotten from me.
“It is good to see you too.” I tell him truthfully as I hug him. “What...I mean how did you get here?” Shut up. I don’t want to sound mean.
“Well, I haven’t heard from you since the other day when you answered the phone crying and that man hung up on me. I have been frantically trying to get in touch with you. Finally, I located your mother’s company and got in touch with your sister Cat. She insisted I come immediately.” Looking at Cat, she stands to the side with her arms crossed as if she had the right to interfere
“She did, did she. Well, I am definitely surprised.” When I clasp my hands together, I feel the ring and begin to panic. I don’t want him to find out like this. Discreetly, I try to turn the ring, so it isn’t visible.
“I am going to let you two have some privacy.” Cat says before walking out of the room. She and I are going to have a conversation.
“Sweetheart should we go for a walk?”
“Uh, sure.” He holds the door open for me. We walk for a few minutes in silence before he speaks.
“Tell me how you have really been, Lilah.”
“I have been ok. There has been a lot going on, things I haven't been ready to talk about, but I am fine.” I force myself to look at him.
“I am not a fool, sweet girl. I have seen the news and gossip rags. I know you have been seeing the Governor. The problem I have is that in not one photo, have you looked happy.” Whoa. This is not what I was expecting.
“Markis.”
“No. It is ok. I get it Lilah. You are young, impressionable, and powerful men prey on young girls like you. Innocent and pure hearted young ladies are vulnerable, Lilah. Men like him tell you the things they need to, to get what they want and then they leave you broken and alone. You deserve better than that.” he steps closer to me and puts his hands on my shoulders. “I was so worried about you sweetheart.”
“I’m sorry, Markis. I didn’t mean to worry you. I was overwhelmed and really feeling guilty about hurting you and I handled it wrong. You deserved better than that.” It’s true. He does.
We hug for a moment, something we have done plenty of times before. But something about this one feels different. I try to pull back a bit, wanting some space, but he holds me tighter. “You were mine, Lilah. I was waiting for you. You were mine.” is what he is whispering to me. I start to feel uncomfortable, but I still feel like I owe him. I hurt him. He has a right to express that hurt. I hear tires screeching coming down the street. I turn to look and see Blake parking his car. Shoot. I attempt to extricate myself from Markis’s arms, but I am not fast enough.
“Get your fucking hands off of her,” Blake shouts storming down the sidewalk.
“Who the hell are you?” Markis’s face is stoic and doesn’t give away what he knows. If I didn’t already know, I would be fooled. I turn to Blake, trying to calm him, but it has the opposite effect. His face turns to something deadly…stone cold. He grabs me by the waist and pulls me behind him.