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)
“I want that other ring,” I announce. “The one I loved first with the pink diamond band.”
Declan smiles and takes my hand gently in his. “Are you sure? You’re not saying that because you think I want to be done?”
I stare into his dark eyes and I know I’m still scared and that it isn’t possible for me to prepare for what’s to come. But if he keeps loving me, I’d follow him straight to hell. I whisper, “I’m sure.”
Declan calls the jeweler back over, and we try on that first ring I loved one more time. The older man isn’t pushy. He’s kind and warm and patient, and as soon as he’s sure we don’t feel pressured, he moves to the register.
As he’s placing it into a black velvet box, I notice the red and blue lights in the reflection of the jewelry cases. Tension grows in my shoulders and I pull on Declan’s sleeve. I can’t even speak as the lights flash.
It takes Declan a second longer and Nate calling out, “Boss.” He wheels around and meets Nate’s eyes. Nate looks back at him, his expression set, stoic, and resigned. His eyes are wide though, as if asking what he should do.
Declan takes me toward the door as the cops climb out of the cop car. The car doors slam shut barely being heard over my pounding heart. Another police vehicle pulls up behind them. “I’m sorry my sweet girl,” Declan says under his breath. He puts his arm around me and pulls me in tight. I can feel his barely restrained anger in his tone. “I love you.”
My heart hammers. “Wait. What’s happening?” I question in a single breath even though I already know.
Nate clears his throat to ask Declan and steal his attention from me. “You or me, you think?”
Declan’s hand clenches on my waist. “I’m just hoping it’s not both.” Declan glances at the man behind the counter who says he didn’t call anyone.
“Just make sure she gets her ring,” he tells him while texting someone.
“Declan what’s happening?” I ask him again as the cops line up beside their cars. No one has made an effort to come in, but they’re obviously here for us. “I’m letting my lawyer know,” he tells me and then addresses Nate. “I don’t want them to come in here.”
“All right we’ll go out. You ready?”
Declan leans down and kisses me and then tells me, “There’s a chance that I’m going to be taken down to the station,” he tells me calmly as nervous waves shoot through me. This can’t be real.
“I need you to stay here. Nate and I are going to go see what they want and you don’t need to worry, just stay here.”
My throat dries and I only nod in response. Not wanting to believe it and being struck with reality.
I watch numbly as they both stride out and before the door even closes, a cop says loud enough for me to hear, “Mr. Cross, we have a warrant for your arrest on suspicion of arson.”
My heart pounds and my legs feel weak.
The cops converge on Declan. He doesn’t look back at me but Nate does. With a nod of his chin, Declan sends Nate back into the store. The bell pings, but I could care less.
My heart is fucking breaking.
There’s nothing I can do but witness it. They put him in cuffs and get him into the car, talking the whole time although I can’t hear them. I almost feel compelled to do something.
Anything. My feet move past Nate and my hand grips the door but Nate stops me.
“Declan doesn’t want you out there,” he tells me and although his words are harsh, his tone is gentle.
I watch them ride away, one after the other, although a cop car in the back stays parked. The officers are watching Nate and me. All the while my head whirls and my heart races.
I’m so shook up that Nate has to put the box in my hand. “Declan’s going to want you to have this when he gets out,” he tells me and I look up at him to see his brow raised, as if asking me if I understand.
I only swallow and nod. Everything is numbing and surreal.
“We need to get you home,” he says, steadily, and then he takes me to the car. I climb into the passenger seat, my hands still shaking. With one hand around the other, I squeeze them tight, the visual of Declan being arrested playing over in my head again and again. Nate looks up and down the street, then gets behind the wheel. He starts the car. I feel him look over at me, but I don’t look back.
“Are you all right?”
“I don’t know.” He drives us away from the jewelry store. It fades away behind us like we were never there.