Total pages in book: 170
Estimated words: 160166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 801(@200wpm)___ 641(@250wpm)___ 534(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 801(@200wpm)___ 641(@250wpm)___ 534(@300wpm)
“Any word from Marcus?”
“He’s still quiet,” Carter answers and a cold chill runs down my spine.
“Quiet isn’t bad,” Michael suggests.
“In the case of Marcus, it’s not good either.”
There are far too many players, and far too many power moves going on at once for me to be distracted by Braelynn. Yet she’s all I can think about. What she does next is the only thing that seems to matter.
All I keep picturing is her in that room, knowing she has an out and taking it. Fuck, if she knew everything, she’d be smart to leave me.
“Declan?” Michael’s tone prods me from my thoughts back to the present where three sets of eyes bore into me with concern. Waiting for a response. “Did you hear me?”
Clearing my throat I shake my head slightly and wait for my lawyer to repeat whatever he said.
“We were given a heads-up that the officer in charge is working with a judge who isn’t in our back pocket.”
“Right. We knew he probably would.”
“So, prepare for questioning. Nate first, but they’re more than likely planning to pick you up and you should decide where you want that to happen. Here? In The Club, or at home or … let me know so I can plant that seed.”
This isn’t the first time I’ll be picked up by the cops for questioning. It’s the first time that I’ve thought about who will be with me when they do, though.
What she’ll see and what she’ll think. And who will be there for Braelynn if it’s just the two of us and they take me away.
“Let me know,” McHale prods for an answer and instead of giving him a time and place, I hesitate and let him know I’ll get back to him.
I need to take care of her first. I can’t handle all of this shit without knowing if she’s even going to be there. I take a glance at my brother as every thought of what she’d do if they pulled her in for questioning races in my mind and I find his gaze on me just the same.
It’s unsettling. Every detail we’ve gone over feels like it could be the one that ends us.
BRAELYNN
I haven’t touched the money yet. Although I stare at it from the bed and even as I stand here, in front of the dresser while I slip on black leggings that feel like silk and an oversized soft wool sweater, I can smell it.
Declan said the stacks added up to over a million. And it sits there, only inches away.
Letting out an uncomfortable sigh, I stare at the door and wish I were anywhere else. I wish I could simply go home or go to my mother’s.
This room is a test, this estate is a trap and it’s like I’m playing mind games with the devil every minute that ticks by.
The one question every decision seems to ride on is whether or not he loves me. Does Declan love me?
It feels like he does when he’s with me but sometimes it also feels like he’s testing me, like he’s waiting for me to fail and I know that’s not love. This could all be a sick twisted game for him. There is so much more darkness to Declan than I know. I’m all too aware he’s done things that would chill me to my core. Can a man like that truly love anyone? Let alone me?
My heart aches questioning it. Because I love him. Every dark crevice that makes him who he is … it only makes me want to love him more … even if it gets me killed.
The phone ringing on the nightstand sends a jolt of panic through me. As if I’ve been caught in the act of thinking too much, thinking about things I shouldn’t be.
I stare at it from where I am. Even though Declan gave it to me, it’s not really my phone. Even as I answer the call I know, it’s just another test.
“Mama,” I say, greeting her with a tone that’s meant to appease her.
“Nena, where are you?” Her words are riddled with so much emotion. “I’ll come pick you up.” The eagerness in her voice pains me.
“A little sick.”
“Still?” I’ve always been a bad liar and I hate to lie to my mother. I’d be a fool to think Declan or his family at least, doesn’t have this phone wired or tapped or whatever the hell they do. As I sit on the edge of the bed, I get a look at the money again. I don’t trust anything. It’s all a damn test and I just want it to be over so my life can go back to normal. Or as normal as it can ever be after all of this.
“I just want to stay in and watch shows, Mama.”