Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
“Sir. Carson.” I blink rapidly. The dream fades. Fitz stares at me over his shoulder. “You were falling asleep.”
“Good thing you’re driving.” I sit up straight, clearing my throat. No time to sleep now. “Take me to see Nelson. We have work to do.”
“Yes, sir.” Fitz starts the car and puts it in drive.
I gaze out the window, the dream lingering on the edge of my mind.
Chapter 7
Ash
The cops don’t tell me a damn thing.
I spend three hours in that stupid precinct building cycling from one uniformed cop to another, all while Officer Hawthorne sat by my side taking notes and grilling me over and over again.
He wants to know where I was three weeks ago, who I was with six days ago, what I had for dinner last night. Over and over, he makes me tell my story, and refuses to give me any information.
“I know this is frustrating.” Finally, after a marathon grilling, Hawthorne walks me to the front lobby. “I can tell you this much: something bad happened in your family. I really am sorry.”
“My dad?”
“Gone. We’re doing our best to investigate every possible lead—”
“Including me?”
He shrugs. “Everything. There are too many bodies not to dig as deep as we can.” He pats my shoulder. It’s supposed to be reassuring, but it only makes me want to kick him in the face. “You’re gonna be okay though.”
“Should I get, like, a protective detail? I mean, my entire family winds up dead, and you’re just going to let me walk?”
“Protective detail?” He snorts, shaking his head. “We don’t have any protective details. Do you know how much that costs? I’m really sorry, Ms. Locke, but you’ll be just fine. Lock your door at night, don’t answer it for strangers, try not to walk around after sunset. You’ll be okay.”
“You have to be kidding me.”
“Nah, you’re not in any danger.” He practically pushes me to the door. “Good luck, thanks for answering all our questions.”
I stagger out of the precinct feeling like someone sucked my brain out of my skull with a straw. I blink at the sun, squinting into the sky.
That was a massive waste of time. I’m too overwhelmed to do much more than stand around wondering how the heck I’m going to get home. I half hoped that going with the police would mean they could protect me, but instead I’m being told that… everything’s somehow fine?
As if that makes any sense.
Nothing is fine. My entire family’s been murdered, and Officer Jackass back there thinks I should lock my door and everything will be just peachy.
I want to scream.
As I stand near the curb, a Lexus pulls up and the door opens. Carson’s sitting inside, staring out at me with a baleful frown as he jerks his head slightly. “Get in.”
I gape at him for several seconds before turning away. “No, thanks. I’d rather walk.” And potentially get shot in the face.
Carson chases after me. I don’t get far before he grabs my arm, pulling me toward him. “Stop running off. Are you really this suicidal?”
“It’s funny you mention that. From my perspective, getting in a car with the man that’s responsible for my entire family getting killed would be the suicidal choice.”
“I’m trying to keep you safe.” He glares at me, standing close, and I can’t help but breathe him in. It’s like the man’s oozing sex pheromones, and I’m reminded why I used to avoid him all the time when I was younger. I didn’t understand these feelings back then, but I sure as hell understand them now.
It’s pure, animal lust. A very stupid, very brainless lust, but still.
I want to taste his mouth against mine.
What the hell is wrong with me? I just lost my family, and all I can think about is kissing the guy I blame most of all.
“I just want you to leave me alone, okay?” I try to push him away, but he’s not letting go. “Do you want me to start screaming? In front of a bunch of cops?”
His lips curl. “You think they’ll stop me?”
I hesitate, glancing back toward the precinct door. “Why are you doing this, Carson?”
“Because I might lose your brother. I lost most of your family. I’m not going to lose you. Now, please, get in the car. I’ll give you a ride back to the bar and on the way we can discuss what to do.”
I have two options. Kick him in the shins and run away or get in that back seat. There’s no way in hell I’m going to escape him, and he’s right, the cops aren’t going to do a damn thing about a Crowley dragging some random girl away in broad daylight.
Which leaves me only my dignity.
“Fine,” I say sharply. “But once I’m back at Smoke, you can leave me alone, okay? I don’t need your help.” I walk to his car and climb inside.