Total pages in book: 168
Estimated words: 160578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 642(@250wpm)___ 535(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 642(@250wpm)___ 535(@300wpm)
Danny Dale and Jeremiah. I have one left, and it is the one that scares me most, but his parting words haunt me. There was no use torturing him to get it out, even if I had the time, I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of my rage when in the end, he’d never give it up.
My watch starts ticking down from twelve. Stepping over the pool of blood, I pull my star out of the wall, sliding it back into my holster before heading to the back door. A photograph stops me in my tracks.
The house is beautiful. It’s a classic, two-story home set in the middle of valleys, with a dying sunset as its backdrop. There’s a swing on the porch and a tree slightly to the left. A woman smiles from the swing, her brown hair faded and her dress long. The man is mowing the lawn with a cowboy hat, a cigarette hanging from his lips. Was this his family? Probably. I don’t and shouldn’t stop to ask these questions, since it goes against everything I’d been trained to do.
I rush out the door and cross the pathway to the road. I don’t stop until my helmet is secured on my head and I’m straddling my bike. I’ve barely burned off down the street when my phone starts ringing and I answer the call with a tap of my AirPod.
“Are you okay?”
I pull to a red light. “He mentioned Priest.”
River sighs on the other end. “I thought he might. Listen, we’re all over here now. Moses visited and started throwing accusations, but they know that hit was from you now. Have you heard from Dad?”
It switches to green, but I let my bike idle beneath me. “Not yet.”
“He would still want to know how you’re dealing with it.”
My jaw catches. “I’ll see you soon.” Cutting off the call, I boost onto the highway that takes me directly back to Riverside.
Raking my fingers through my hair, I leave my helmet on the saddle of my bike. The familiar heat that spreads over my back as his eyes move over my body only reminds me that it’s been too long since I’ve seen him.
It’s been a couple days.
“You think I don’t know that you’re behind me?” I ask, turning my head over my shoulder a little.
He pauses a step away. “I’m well aware of the advancements you have on the human race, wife.”
I instantly regret it when I face him. Towering over me like the shadows in every nightmare I’ve ever had, his eyes fall over my body as if sizing up his feast.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
His lips skim the side of mine when he leans down. “I think you do. You been out tonight? Having an affair so soon?”
That’s rich.
I make sure the small residue of Jeremiah’s blood left on my mouth transfers to his. “I thought we had a no affair clause, and since you like your dolls, and I’ve done nothing but be your good little wife, am I not free game?”
His jaw tightens and before I can lower myself back to my feet, his hand is on my chin, moving my face from side to side.
“Why do you taste like murder?”
My eyes remain fixed on his. “Because I married you.”
He catches my bottom lip with his teeth, and with careful movements of his tongue, he pushes into me further. “You think you’re safe because of the last name you carry, but you forget how you got it there in the first place.”
My brows pull in.
He steps away. The sting of not having him far exceeds the burn of his touch.
“You trained at Del Morts with Nate. For how long?”
My mouth falls open. I close it again.
He scolds me like one does their teenager. “Yeah, I know, and I have known for some time, so skip the questions and answer mine.”
There’s no way I’m getting out of this. “Since not long after you put me up to be sold. You’re not supposed to know…”
His laughter is a haunting reminder of every warning whispered about the Mad Prince. Has he flipped yet? I don’t think so. If he had, we wouldn’t be standing here right now having this conversation.
I hold my breath when his thumb dips between my lips. “So delicate, yet still can’t find myself wanting to hurt you, Madness.”
“Maybe you should.” His scent clings to me like skin. “Maybe then you’ll be reminded why you hate me.”
He smiles, baring white teeth. “Or maybe it’ll be the reason why I finally kill you.”
“So many threats, lover, not enough—” His knuckles graze my ribs. Even through the leather of my strapless top, the burn of his touch will scar.
“Careful, careful, Luna Hayes…” He whispers against the side of my neck. “Or I’ll remind you exactly who the fuck I am when I’m not fucking you.”