Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
I wanted to scream at her that I had made her safe. That I would never do anything to hurt her. I wanted to shake her until she believed me. But instead, I ground out the only words I could speak.
“Because I said so.”
“I don’t accept the word of murderers. You fucking bastards!” She picked up her plate, throwing it against the wall, the dish barely missing my head. The crockery hit the surface with such force it shattered, exploding into hundreds of shards. The plate of butter flew past me as well, and I cursed when some of the butter hit my head. Her mug followed, although this time, I sprang forward, knocking her arm so it hit the floor, breaking and spilling hot liquid everywhere.
“Enough!” I roared, lunging for her. She struggled out of my grip, slipping in the liquid and falling to the floor. Bending down, I picked her up, tossing her over my shoulder. She fought me, cursing and screaming as I carried her down the hall. I flung her onto the bed and stood over her, panting.
She was livid. Beyond livid. Her cheeks were red, her hair everywhere. Her eyes were brilliant in her face, and she curled her hands into fists of rage as she continued to hiss and curse at me. I should have found her anger maddening, but somehow, it saddened me.
I leaned forward, hovering over her, and covered her mouth with my hand. “One camera. To make sure you were okay. It’s here for your safety. I can see you sitting in the chair or lying in the bed. Nowhere else. We check and make sure you’re okay every so often.” I neglected to mention I found her fascinating and did, on occasion, watch her for short periods of time. “That’s it.” I pressed harder against her mouth. “Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
She nodded against my hand, her eyes shooting daggers at me. “If I take my hand away, will you stop yelling?”
Her eyes narrowed, and I felt the sting too late. Her sharp little teeth clamped down on my palm and bit. Cursing, I pulled my hand back and looked at the skin. Teeth marks were already turning a dull purple. I glared at her but lowered my hand when I saw the fear behind her bravado. She was sure I’d hit her. I shook my head in frustration. “For your safety,” I repeated. “I will not hurt you.”
I stood and went to the door. “Calm down.”
“I hate you.”
I paused at the door. “That’s a shame, Kitten. Because I quite like you.” I shook my head. “When you’re not being a total bitch, that is.”
The cursing started again as I shut the door.
Sean was still sitting at the table when I went back to the kitchen. “I’m not cleaning it up,” he said dryly. “You started it.”
I grabbed the broom. “I know. It slipped.”
“Amazing what slips when it comes to her,” he observed.
I ignored him and kept sweeping up the broken dishes.
Muffled thumps came from down the hall.
“What is she doing?” I grumbled.
“Well,” he drawled, “I’m no expert, but knowing Skylar and how stubborn she seems to be, she’s trying to find the camera.”
I groaned. “Can she?”
“Not a chance.”
“So, we ignore her?”
“Yep. Let her alone.” He stood. “Shame. She didn’t get dessert.”
“One less dish to throw at us.”
He chuckled. “You, Cian. She aimed them all at you.”
“Yes, Sean. I’m well aware of that fact.”
“I’ll let you finish. After she calms down, you might want to go in there and talk to her. Really talk to her.”
I knew he wanted me to tell her everything, but that was something we didn’t agree on, and it was my decision. She needed to accept she was safe, and that didn’t include knowing the whole story. I felt she was better off in the dark. It was private and painful. She didn’t need to carry that burden with her the rest of her life.
“Thanks for the advice.”
He snickered. “I almost wish the plate had hit you, Cian. Might’ve knocked some sense into you.”
“Not happening.”
“Your funeral. She’s gonna keep fighting you.”
I ignored him.
Again.
Chapter 5
Cian
Opening my laptop, I checked on Skylar a short time later. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, her arms crossed over her chest, muttering. Her gaze was flying all over the room. I knew Sean was correct—she was looking for the camera.
She’d never find it. Sean was too good at surveillance.
I hadn’t lied to her. The camera was only directed at that side of the room. I could redirect it if I wanted to look at the other side, but I hadn’t done that. Short of turning her body into liquid and pouring herself through the filter of the air conditioner, she had no way of getting out of that room. The bathroom wasn’t monitored, but there was no way to get out of it either unless she tunneled through the drain.