Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
My phone dings and I glance at it before answering. “Hi, Ella, what’s up?” I’m glad she’s checking in with me.
“Are you at your computer?” she asks, her voice low.
“I can be.” I reach for my laptop on the bedside table and boot it up on my legs.
She coughs. “I just sent you an email. Open it.”
Sometimes she is so dramatic. “All right.” I click on my email icon, see the email, and press PLAY on a video.
An expansive kitchen with marble countertops and stainless steel appliances comes into view. I’ve seen this room in crime scene photographs. It’s the Fairfax’s kitchen from seven years ago. The camera appears to have been mounted in the corner of the ceiling. Then a man walks over to the microwave to take out a mug. He’s somewhat familiar. “It’s David Fairfax,” I say. “You managed to decrypt the entire disc.”
“I did. It’s quite a virus that was introduced.”
As I watch, a younger Alexei walks into the scene dressed only in boxers. David turns, yells, and throws the contents of the mug on Alexei, splashing his torso. There are fewer scars and tattoos on him, but he still looks dangerous.
Alexei almost casually opens a drawer, takes out a knife, and stabs David in the neck before ripping out his throat.
David grabs his neck, his eyes widening as blood spurts out between his fingers. Then he falls to the ground. Alexei looks at him for several moments, blood covering his torso and his face, then he reaches down and puts the knife into a plastic bag before walking out of the kitchen.
My entire body chills until I shudder. What the hell? I would’ve bet my soul that Alexei was innocent. Had I just been lying to myself? “Alexei did murder David Fairfax.” The blood rushes through my head so quickly, I can hear the charge in my ears.
“I’m sorry,” Ella says.
Wait a second. “Alexei took your laptop and the disc.” Not that it should matter right now.
“I sent myself a copy the second I uploaded the disc the first time. Obviously.” She clears her throat. “I know you probably have guards there, but I can get you free somehow. We can head out of the country. Even use fake passports if you want.”
I’m numb. Lost. I shared my body, and more importantly my heart, with Alexei. I trusted him. Yet again, I’m seeing casual violence. So easy for him. “I married him.”
“I don’t care.”
Yet I do. Or I did. We most certainly consummated the marriage. Several times. He walks into the room, looking dangerous and invincible. I try to stop my trembling. “I, ah, I have to go.”
“Do you need help?” she whispers.
“No. I’ll call you tomorrow. Please don’t do anything until we talk.” I need to think.
She clicks off without answering.
Alexei unbuttons his sleeves and then his shirt, tossing the expensive material carelessly over my blue chair. His gaze is hot and his expression masked. “Who was that?”
“Ella,” I say breathlessly. “She’s leaving town for a while.”
He sighs, his hands going to his belt. “No, she isn’t. I have two men on her right now. What’s wrong?”
I gulp and force a smile. “Nothing. Honest.”
He pauses and cocks his head. His belt makes a swooshing sound as he pulls it free of his pants. “You’re a terrible liar. I wouldn’t try again.”
My mouth goes dry.
“What’s wrong?” He unzips his slacks, removes them, and places them over the back of the chair. In boxers, most men look vulnerable. Not Alexei. He looks stronger than ever. Deadly, even. “I suggest you start talking.”
I can’t. If he can discern when I’m lying, then I don’t want to say anything. Telling the truth is impossible. So I remain silent.
He sits and pulls me over, planting me on his lap facing him. I realize in that second that the bandage is absent from his arm. There’s no wound.
I look closer. “You already healed?”
“Yes. I’m still receiving extra help from charging the amethyst.”
Fascinating. I’m again reminded that Alana has never mentioned that she can heal herself when she charges the crystals at Aquarius Social. Maybe she can’t. Perhaps it’s a gift only Alexei’s lineage holds. “I see.”
His thumb presses against my chin, and he lifts my face. “I’m not going to ask again.”
I drop my gaze to his mouth. His hold tightens, and I look up in surprise.
His gaze is relentless. “If I spank you tonight, you’re not getting an orgasm afterward. Nor will you enjoy one second of it.”
My butt tightens in denial. I consider my options. I know he doesn’t bluff, but I’m also not sure of Ella’s safety if I tell the truth. As I weigh the options, he reaches for the phone he placed on the bedside table, presses a button, and draws it to his ear.
What is he doing?