Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“Why are you going this far for her? This is… unlike you.”
“Because she is my soon-to-be wife. I will not show weakness, not even through her.”
Dominic considers his words carefully before he says, “I think you already have, brother.”
I stare him down. Wanting to tear out his jugular with my bare hands.
He raises his hands in the air again. “I will find out what I can,” he says quietly before walking away.
And I’m left alone in the dark, wanting to murder half of New York in payback for ruining Rya’s and my night.
CHAPTER 25
Rya
My face curls up in a cringe at the piles of baby clothes and toys surrounding me. It’s not that I have anything against babies or children personally, but I’m not a person who has an interest in being in a store like this.
“What about this one?” Angel asks, raising a pink dress.
“I think they should cap your credit card at some point.” Because for a pregnant woman complaining about how sore her feet are, she should not be able to shop up a storm like this. Or at least I wish that were the case to put me out of my suffering.
“Ha. Ha. Very funny. But you’re right. Maybe I should go with the more vibrant one over there.” She puts it back and waddles across the room while I sigh, drowning in my own personal hell.
“So, remind me again why Dominic isn’t doing this with you.”
She rolls her eyes, though I can tell she enjoys the company. “They’re busy this week with work.”
This time, I roll my eyes at the term “work.” “And what little side business is experiencing their wrath this week?” I joke.
She puts down the dress and looks at me. “Rya, what happened the other night was pretty serious. I don’t know how you’re so chill about all of it.” She glances at her bodyguard as if he might report back our casual conversation.
I’m grateful enough that I sent only one message to Crue two nights ago, informing him that if he doesn’t remove the bodyguard, I’ll never have sex with him again. Not that I exactly intend to follow through on that threat, but it seemed pretty effective.
“I know that. But c’mon, we’ve seen our fair share of shit. And stuff like this happens in New York all the time. Granted, Crue is a larger target than most, for obvious reasons, but life goes on.”
Angel wearily side-eyes me. “I think he’s doing this for you.”
“For me?” I choke out. “The only thing Crue wants to do for me is throw a bun in the oven and lock me up in a castle to bake it so he can fulfill his contract. No, thank you.”
“I’m worried, Rya. He’s not going to take no for an answer.”
“It’s just sex. I made that very clear.”
Her eyes widen. “I knew it!” She smacks me on the arm.
“Ow.” I rub the sore spot. “It was only once. Well, actually, twice.”
“Rya!”
“What?” I laugh. “Am I half out of my mind for fucking Crue Monti? Yes. Is the sex fantastic? Unfortunately, that’s also yes.”
She laughs. “It’s strange you don’t ever really talk to me about this stuff,” she admits.
“Why would I? Men come and go like the seasons.”
She gives me an even stare. “I don’t think Crue intends to be a season, Rya.”
“He is until hell freezes over.”
“Be careful what you wish for. It might have already.” And as quickly as the words leave her lips, her eyes grow large, and she coos, “Ooh, this one is cute.”
I sigh. But the warning in Angel’s tone is enough to leave me slightly unnerved.
Crue will never be more than a season.
Even if he put a gun to my head.
CHAPTER 26
Rya
Since the night Crue gave it to me, I haven’t worn the anklet, and I’m not sure I ever will again. Actually, I’m unsure if I want to see him again. The sex is great, but is that enough to let a killer come back to your bed? No matter how perfectly I build my case that I need to rid Crue from my life, I’m equally as exasperated and fantasize about when I might next taste him and have his body against mine for a brutal, harsh fuck.
I’ve received many emails from Crue this week and haven’t replied to any of them. But that doesn’t seem to bother him at all because he keeps sending them, and in snippets, he’ll tell me about his day and what he plans to do to me. To be honest, every day when I arrive home, I expect to see him at my door, and a part of me is relieved when he isn’t there, while the other part is wondering why he hasn’t even tried.
This is Crue, after all.
And his stalker level is the real deal.