Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 41105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 206(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 206(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
I slide behind the wheel of the Jaguar, my heart racing a mile a minute, my mind racing with just how badly I’ve fucked up…
End of Episode 18
No Way Out
EPISODE 19
Autumn
My palms sweat as I pull into the estate, and it’s not due to the wisps of heat sifting from the steering wheel.
Knowing that the suits in the grey car trailing behind me will handle the car once I step out, I don’t drive to the garage. Instead, I pull in front of the grand front entrance—jumping out with the bags and leaving the car running.
I need a minute to gather myself before Ryder comes home. I need to—
“Hello, Miss Jane.” Ryder is standing in the foyer when I open the door.
“I told you she’d be back any minute.” Adeline smiles at me, holding out her hands for the food. “I’ll share some of my fries with you, Dad.”
“Looking forward to it.” He narrows his eyes at me. “Let’s all eat in the kitchen.”
“Actually, since you’re home early, I was thinking—”
“I don’t believe you’ve been ‘thinking’ at all, Miss Jane.” The look in his eyes dares me to say another word. “Join us in the kitchen.”
I oblige and sit across from Adele. Ryder pushes her chair over so he’s right in front of me, making it impossible to avoid his gaze.
“Let me get a taste of that unique sandwich that couldn’t possibly be made here,” Ryder says, taking half. “Chopped up steak, cheese, peppers… Hard to find gourmet ingredients here.”
“It’s so cheesy!” Adele moans as she takes a bite. Then she slides my sandwich to me.
I can’t feel my stomach anymore.
“Taste it, Miss Jane…” Ryder motions for me to unwrap it. “I’m sure it has the familiar taste of defiance that you love so much.”
“Are you going to the mayor’s upcoming masquerade ball, Miss Jane?” Adeline asks me, completely oblivious to the tension in this room.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“She’s going,” Ryder says. “I got her a ticket.”
“You have to let me help you pick out a dress.” Adele looks giddy. “I’ll make sure you have the best one there.”
“I wasn’t aware the mayor has a masquerade ball.” I try to soften the tension.
“It’s like Seattle’s version of the Met Gala,” Adele says. “Dad only goes because he gets work done there.”
“Yes,” Ryder says. “Lots of work…”
Adele’s cell phone buzzes against the table, and she sighs.
“It’s Miss Temple,” she says. “I’ll need to play a couple pieces for her. Will you excuse me?”
“Yes,” Ryder says, and she rushes away, leaving me alone with him.
I push back from the table, ready to stand, but he’s already circling around. He closes the space between us in seconds, stopping just short of my chair.
“Why are you sweating, Autumn?” he asks.
“I was approached by an FBI agent,” I say. “She threatened me with prison if I don’t fold or meet with her.”
Ryder blinks a few times. “Is that all?”
“Isn’t that a problem?”
“No, just tell her what you know,” he says.
“Which parts?”
“The bonuses, the sex, everything.” He trails a finger against my bottom lip, slow and possessive, like he’s daring me to flinch. “Especially the orgasms. She probably has no idea what those are, so it’ll be the highlight of her year.”
“You’re being sarcastic, aren’t you?”
“No,” he says. “I ask you to pick up things for me, which you do. And you are sleeping with me, so these are just facts. Just don’t bring up Adeline.”
I nod, still stunned.
“I’ll even drive you to meet her if it comes to that.” He clenches his jaw. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“I’m sorry, too.”
“For what?”
“Not fucking enough fear into you.” He glares at me. “Clearly I was too gentle because here we are again, with you defying me and thinking this shit is a game.”
“I was just trying to make your daughter happy.”
“She is happy.”
“She puts on a good show like she is.” I look at him. “She wants to have a normal life.”
“And when I’m able to offer that, I’ll give it to her.”
“Hopefully, it’ll be before she’s eighteen and legally allowed to move away from you.”
“You’re about two syllables away from me ensuring you never disobey me again.”
I swallow, unsure of what he means by that.
“Since I’m failing to make this clear to you,” he says, trailing his finger down my neck, “let me try this one last—and I do mean—one last time.”
“My life isn’t some type of fantasy, Autumn.” He keeps his gaze locked on mine. “I have people who want to see me dead, and they’re always looking for a way to slide under my skin and see where I bleed, so I have to live my life a certain way until these people are dealt with.”
“If I say you can’t do something, then you can’t fucking do something. If I ask you to jump, you pull out a fucking ruler before asking me how high, and if I ever tell you to do anything else—I don’t want to hear a hesitation or a question about it because I have my reasons, and whether you like it or not, they’re in your best interest, too. Clear?”