Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
The questions boil out of him, but he’s not getting answers, not yet at least.
She flicks her eyes to Drew for a heartbeat, then focuses her attention back on her husband. “A mother’s love knows no bounds, Drew. Even on the verge of death, I knew I’d do whatever I had to do to protect you.”
Drew jolts and looks shocked. “What...? I don’t understand.”
Again, his mother doesn’t explain further and sneers at Lyle. “I’m glad the first shot didn’t kill you, so I can tell you what a damn asshole you are. I can’t fucking believe you.”
Like an angel avenging those she loves, her gaze darts around the room, over each person. Drew. The guards. Sebastian. Me. When she reaches the officiant, whatever the hell his name is, who is standing to the side with a strange look on his face, something changes in her features.
“Richard, is it? Do you think it’s self-defense if you kill a man who has been slowly killing you for years?”
Richard blinks and focuses on the wall opposite like he doesn’t want to draw attention to himself. “I mean...I could probably sell it in court if you had some kind of proof, and the person in question had a track record of being a bad person. There’s a lot of things to take into account, though, especially when in court.”
Drew takes a staggering step toward his mom. “No, we won’t be inviting the law into this. Sebastian agreed to take care of things. We already have a plan in place.”
Her pensive gaze swings back to Drew, and a smile touches her lips, making her face appear brighter. “Sweetheart, I hate to break it to you like this, but Sebastian and I also had a plan.”
What? I’m as shocked as Drew is, and his face is a portrait of sheer surprise when he turns toward Sebastian. “What the fuck, man? My mom, really?”
There's a shuffling of boots on the floor, and I skitter back as Sebastian stalks over, kicking the gun Drew’s father was trying to snatch off the floor with the toe of his boot. It flies toward the wall and bounces near the door, out of reach of everyone.
The guards shift on the hardwood like they want to do something, but Sebastian is there in a flash, his guns pointed back at them.
His voice is low and dark as he stares them down. “I don’t think you want to do that. I’m itching to make one of you bastards hurt for all the beatings you’ve inflicted on my friend.”
Drew’s hand brushes my shoulder, and I focus on him again. “What do you need from me?”
He shakes his head, keeping his eyes on his mom, though. “I don’t think there’s anything you can do right now, Flower.”
Fuck. I feel useless. I don’t know how to fire a gun, or fight, or do any of these things that seem integral to this world. Am I useless to him too?
Victoria slides off the side of the bed until her bare feet settle on the hardwood. Dr. Brooks rushes around flustered, helping her to stay standing.
“Victoria, you should stay in bed. I understand you need to do this, but you shouldn’t be moving if you don’t have to be.”
She glares at him for a second, and it’s the look of a lover, frustration and hope? “I do have to be up because that asshole isn’t dead yet.”
He sighs long and deep, and simply helps her forward. She limps and wavers every step of the way. When she reaches Drew’s dad’s feet, she stops and waves the gun at Seb. “Lock the door. I don’t want any more surprises. This ends now.”
Another gunshot rings through the room. I flinch and draw my knees up to put some distance between me and them, but the second I move, Drew stops me, keeping me close. Drew’s dad jerks, and blood pools around him more. He coughs and sits up, wincing as he does. There’s something crazy in his eyes, like he still might try to fight back even though he has two holes punched through him.
I should be more horrified, more scared, but right now, I feel Drew is finally getting the justice he deserves, and apparently, so is Drew’s mom.
“I’ve been sick for ten years. Ten years you’ve been slowly killing me. Ten years you’ve been murdering me.”
There’s so much venom in her voice even I’m a little scared right now.
“And you know what?” She speaks louder. “I’m not the only one he slowly killed. Although I think it took a lot longer for your mom, Bel.”
I flinch at the sound of my name and then process what she’s saying. “Wh-what?”
Her gaze skims Sebastian who is standing jaw set tight. He knew. He knew, and he didn’t say anything to me. “What do you mean?”