Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“I don’t think you even know your son,” I bite back.
Her mouth drops open. “How dare you speak to me like that. He’s poisoned your mind, too, hasn’t he? He does that. He—”
“When is your son’s birthday?” I ask, cutting her off.
She looks away as if genuinely thinking about it, and I scoff. Braxton is much better without a woman like this in his life. She’s a parasite. I stiffen at the harshness of my judgment. I don’t know this woman, and yet… I’m being protective on Braxton’s behalf.
Fuck. What has he done to me?
I look up at his apartment window and notice him peering down from the second floor, watching us.
“He’s bad, that one. Always has been,” she whispers. “Only cares for himself. He can’t give you what you want.”
“You have no idea what I want,” I say, irritated.
“Well, you obviously love my son.”
It startles me, but only for a moment. I turn to her with a grin. I’m certain it’s deranged and wild. I’m letting the mask slip for someone else to see part of my true nature, that for so long I’ve tried to hide. “I’d actually very much like to kill your son.”
Stunned, she stumbles back two steps before her ass hits the pavement. I shouldn’t feel powerful for intimidating someone like her, but this part of me feeds off fear.
Is this how my father has felt all of these years?
Maybe it’s time I consider having a conversation with my aunt. Am I really that far gone? Am I really unable to hide it anymore?
I turn and head in the direction I gave my driver.
Everything feels like it doesn’t make sense anymore, and it’s crumbling around me. But I don’t think I’m ready for that conversation with Anya. Maybe if I cut out Braxton for good, this part of me won’t resurface. Maybe he’s the catalyst that’s ruined me. But deep down, I know that’s a lie because these invasive thoughts and impulses started long before he entered my life.
CHAPTER 38
Braxton
My mother parks herself on the pavement outside my apartment. I’m sure she looks like a beggar to those who walk past. She’s desperate, and she’s lucky I didn’t remove her myself after she accosted Hope. I don’t know what they spoke about, but whatever it was, it shook my mother so profoundly that she fell over herself. I couldn’t help but smirk at that. That’s my girl.
Hope is running away. Again. I didn’t think she’d stay, but I find it interesting when she reacts in ways I didn’t expect her to. Just when I think I’ve studied her enough to know everything about her, she surprises me. I’ve come to realize she’ll forever be a mystery to me. Her brilliant mind, that is. But not her body. I’m attuned to her needs as much as I am my own.
Letting her have that power over me, to feed off the control of the situation, was the most beautiful fucking thing I’ve ever seen. She very well could’ve blown my brains out. In fact, I know she contemplated it more than once. The killer in her shines through when those thoughts cross her mind, and she fucking got off on it. Loved the idea of killing me while she fucked me.
I wonder if it’s me and what we mean to each other that she’s scared of. Or if it’s her own depravity that drives her to run away. Either way, I know she’s right. Her family will eventually find out about us if they haven’t already. And if anyone at the precinct finds out, I’m equally fucked. But I refuse to stay away.
Dating Lena Love’s daughter would get me applause but connecting her to Alek Ivanov will bring my badge into question.
I get ready for work, dressing in a long-sleeved shirt, beanie, and coat. It’s forecast to start snowing soon, so having to bundle up is convenient, considering how much the little she-devil marked me. Shortcake my ass; she’s complete sin. But she’s my fucking sin.
I might still be unsure how to handle Hope Ivanov, but I’ve figured out how to manage the only other woman who has ever had an impact on my life. The one who has felt like a noose around my neck.
If I thought my association with Hope would rock my career and threaten everything I’ve built, then I’ve sorely underestimated the power my mother still holds over me. Sometimes, not being able to completely cut ties brings unwanted attention and discomfort.
I hate my mother. Even though, deep down, I held a small spark of hope that someday she’d turn into the parent I needed as a child. But that’s an idea I’ve long left behind. Her intercepting Hope makes me comprehend with startling clarity that I have to cut her out of my life completely.