Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 25728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
A keening wail followed me out the door, faltering me in my steps. It sounded like a wounded animal fighting to hold onto life. Looking over my shoulder I saw her in a crumbled heap, crawling towards me. I wanted to leave her there.
For all the heartache and pain she had caused me I wanted to walk away from her pain.
My son started to fuss and cry in my arms. My heart swelled within my chest. My son.
For the first time I kissed his little head holding him closer to me.
When I came here I had one purpose, to get what was mine and deal with the bitch later. I rode on angry fumes and visions of vengeance, she brought this on herself, this was none of my doing.
"Please, please please, don't take my baby, please, do whatever you want to me but please don't take him. He's all I've got."
Look at her, still so innocent, even with the ravages of tears and tired eyes she was still the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. But I wouldn't be drawn in, not again. She was a viperous snake and I would do well to remember that.
I had a decision to make though it was all about my son. Though the thought of her anywhere near me made me sick to my stomach I couldn't leave his mother here like this. Yeah! Maybe just maybe this would be better. Take her with me, that way I can keep her close while I reek my vengeance on her.
"You can do as you please but my son will not spend one more minute in this dump. You have ten minutes to get your things together then we're leaving with or without you."
I let the door slam shut between us. In my fury I had forgotten a few things; like the fact that there was no baby seat in my car, no food for him when he got hungry and it was a good three hours drive home. When I'd received the final call telling me where they were my only thought had been getting here, now I see I should've stopped and planned. This was so unlike me, not to be prepared, but that was the summation of my relationship with Amber everything taken by storm, no planning, just spontaneous reaction.
I heard her scurrying around in the old shack gathering her belongings, when she came out the door her old Levi's hanging off her hips and what looked like...wait a minute was that my shirt?
Chapter 3
Almost One Year Earlier
So here I am on the Isle of Crete. Mom had confiscated my laptop, work phones and anything that had to do with work. I literally had to sneak my blackberry. The woman was relentless.
I'd been pretty tense on the way here, after having not taken a real break in almost eight years it felt strange not having anything to do.
The first day I was pretty antsy, I kept checking the Berry for anything from the office. I suspect my mother had played the dragon lady with my assistant because there was nothing, not a peep.
No ringing phone with the latest crisis, no progress sheets, no deadlines. This was too fucking weird.
Relax Stewart it's a vacation; you know what that is, lie on the beach, soak up some rays, and get sick on Ouzo. Good times.
The villa was situated on one of the many secluded coves on the island. Well away from the tourist traps and heavy traffic. The staff was instructed to provide for my every need, much as they'd been doing for my family for the past forty years or so. We'd spent many a summer here when I was a child. Guess that's why mom chose this location, it held fond memories of carefree days and happiness.
By day three I was hitting my stride, I felt the tension leave me as I enjoyed the warm seawater, lazed around the pool, and enjoyed the local bounty of fresh foods.
It was on this day as I made one of my daily treks up the cove that I saw her. Her body was in profile, camera raised to capture a flock of seagulls in flight. Though I couldn't see her face something about her captivated me. Maybe it was the way her long dark locks blew in the wind or the way she stood. I don’t know what it was but something about her called to me.
I must've stared at her for a good ten minutes without moving before she finally lowered the camera and turned my way as if sensing me there.
Holy...was she real? Couldn't be. My heart raced, my pulse went haywire and I swear my vision blurred. I made as if to go towards her before I caught myself and forced my feet to stop. I don't think I'd blinked once since coming up on her.