Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Dom got to his feet and cupped her cheek, tilting her head back, and she stared into his beautiful brown eyes. In that moment, she couldn’t help but think other people had looked into those eyes, and they had been the last thing they had seen before he killed them. And yet, she didn’t care. This was the man she loved. Lame doormat back in full swing.
“I love you,” Dom said.
Here came the rejection, and then Emily frowned, because that was not even close to a rejection.
She stared at Dom, a little perplexed. “Could you repeat that?”
“I love you, Emily. I did take you as a favor to your mother, and I kept you because I didn’t want anything bad to happen to you. I don’t know how you did it, but you somehow managed to get in here.” He pressed a hand to his heart. “I don’t love, Emily. I’ve never loved anyone or anything in my life, but when it comes to you, you’re everything. You’re all I can think about. All I want. You’re my reason for getting up in the morning. When I do wake, and I see you, I know the day is going to be fucking great.”
Tears filled her eyes. “You love me?”
“Yes, I love you more than anything in the world. I know I’m not good for you. I know I’m everything you should hate and avoid, but I love you. I am going to take care of you, provide for you, put my babies inside you, and you’re going to want for nothing.”
Emily couldn’t believe it, and she stood and threw her arms around him. “What did you want to talk to me about? I thought you were going to reject me.”
“No, not at all. I was going to tell you tonight that I love you, and that I am going to do everything in my power to keep you safe.”
He held onto her tightly, and Emily knew no matter what, she was never going to let him go. She loved him so damn much.
And then, cutting through their moment was the unmistakable ring of his cell phone. Just recently, whenever that went off, it tended to make him growl and send him into a dark mood.
“Don’t answer it,” Emily said.
“I’ve got to.”
He let her go, and she watched as he pulled out his cell phone, and there was a frown on his face. “It’s your mom.”
“Why is my mom calling?” Emily gasped. “No, what if my dad … has hurt her?” She pressed her hands to her face, thinking of all the horrifying scenarios.
Dom had put his arm around her and pulled her in close. “I’ve got you.”
She felt tears fill her eyes, and then he answered the call.
“Nora?”
“Dom?”
“What’s the matter? What happened?”
“The cops are on the way.”
Emily frowned and looked up at her husband. She stayed silent.
“Cops, Nora, why?”
“I … I was done. I couldn’t stand Nigel doing this to the two of you. He has already ruined enough of my daughter’s life, so I decided to finally end it. Don’t worry, I am fine. I called him, and that was when I finally did it. I got him into a fight. I did it on purpose, and in doing so, he finally lost. I killed him. Nigel will not be a problem to you.”
“I’m on my way.”
“No,” Nora said. “I don’t want you or my daughter involved. I know how to take care of this. He attacked me first. He wouldn’t let up. I have everything on film, and that is what I am going to give to the authorities. I have the proof of what he has been doing, and it is time to use it. Be with my daughter. Love my daughter, and take care of her. I’m prepared to do what is necessary.”
“Mommy?” Emily said.
“Oh, honey, I should have known you would be listening.”
“Don’t do this,” Emily said.
“It is time for me to take care of you and put this piece of shit to bed. I’ve done it. Now, for me, you are going to live your life. You’re going to love your husband, and this will fix itself. You will see.”
And with that, her mother hung up.
“What does this mean?” Emily asked.
“It means that there is a chance your mother can plead self-defense, and if she is able to do that, she might not even serve any time. It depends what she has that will help her case.”
“Knowing my mom, she has a lot.” She nibbled her lip, but she couldn’t be worried about her mother.
Staring at Dom, even though she was terrified, she was also anticipating. “You love me?”
“Yes, I love you.” He reached out and stroked some hair off her face. “More than you will ever know.”
She couldn’t help but smile, even as there were tears in her eyes.