Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“I was in a hurry to leave,” I reply. That and I wanted nothing that reminded me of my old life—including the shitty-smelling perfume. “So, what did he say? Is he coming?” Christopher has never been stupid. Dumb for cheating? Yes. A coward? Yes. But he’s always had good instincts. Well. . . besides getting involved with a psychopath. I pray he’s smart enough to know something’s off. “Maybe you should untie me. He’s not going to like seeing me like this.”
Rebecca contemplates it. She takes a step toward me but stops. “Yeah. . . nice try.”
“Do you actually think Christopher is going to be okay seeing me tied up? Not to mention, I’m bleeding all over the place. He’ll think—”
“He’ll think the same thing I do. You deserve it. We’re alike, Christopher and me. We’re passionate about what we want. He’ll see the extremes I’ve gone to for him and appreciate it. He’ll see how devoted I am. Unlike you.”
“Unlike me?” I scoff back. “I think you’re confused, Bec. My devotion was well known. His, on the other hand? He cheated on me. Who’s to say he won’t cheat on you? Once a cheater, always a cheater. It’s only a matter of—”
She slaps me across the face. Stars flash behind my eyelids, and I drop the shard of glass. “You bitch. You know, I was going to shoot you, but now. . . you’re right. . . people will ask questions. So, I guess it’s plan B—drown you in the tub and make it look like a distraught lover’s suicide. I’ll tell him you were already dead when I got here.” She comes at me, clutching my bicep. “Up we go.”
I fight against her tight grip. “You’re gonna have to shoot me first to get me in that tub—”
Reaching into her back pocket, she pulls something out. An electric current shoots through me, and I lose consciousness.
I don’t know how much time has passed before something smacks across my face, jerking me awake. “Seriously, about time. You’re becoming more of a hassle than I’d imagined.”
“Rebecca, you don’t have to do this,” I wheeze.
She waves the gun around. “Oh, yes, I do.” She tugs at my arm, and I sway trying to fight her off. “Come on. Be helpful or I’ll tase you again and drag you to the tub myself. We’re running out of time.”
I fight out of her hold, and she raises her other hand, placing the tip of the gun to my temple.
“Fine, okay. I’m going—”
The sound of the front door slamming open grabs our attention. I want to cry out in relief. Pray Christopher brought help. That this is going to end soon. “Hmmm. . . hold that thought.” She steps back and smiles. “Okay, this is it. Wish me luck!”
“Rebecca!” Christopher’s voice bellows from the first floor.
“I’m up here,” she sings and plays with her hair. Leaning against the doorframe, she starts, “Hey, I’ve been waiting—my goodness what happened to your—” Rebecca is shoved to the side as Christopher appears in the doorway. His eyes are frantic as he searches the room, landing on me. His body stiffens, and he sucks in a hard breath.
“Jesus. . .”
“Christopher—it’s not what it looks like.” She steps toward him, but he puts his hand out, stopping her.
“Are you okay?” he asks me.
“Just dandy,” I hiss. “Me and your lover girl are getting to know each other a little better. She’s got quite the golf swing.”
Christopher’s eyes shoot to Rebecca. “Rebecca, what have you done?”
“Baby, I did this for us. Listen, I just needed you to see she wasn’t the one you wanted. You said it yourself on the phone. You chose me. But as long as she’s in the picture, we won’t be able to move on.”
“So, you kidnap her? What were you going to do to her, Rebecca?” he asks, flinching when she reaches out to touch him.
“I—just wanted you to see.”
Christopher shakes his head. “See what? This is beneath you. I can’t love anyone who would go to such extremes. Have you seriously lost your goddamn mind?” She tries to reach for him again, but he backs away. “Don’t touch me. This is insane.” He rushes over to me and kneels. “Are you okay? You’re hurt.” He lifts his hand to graze the cut on my cheek, then drops it as Rebecca’s voice slices the air between us.
“Get away from her.”
“I will do no such thing. You’ve gone too far—whoa. . .” Christopher slowly puts his hand in the air. “Becca, what are you doing? Put the gun down.”
“No. Not until you see what I’ve done for you. For us.”
Cautiously, he scoots away from me and stands. It’s then I see the silhouette behind her. Ben. My eyes grow wide. How did he—he places his finger over his lips, signaling for me to stay quiet. I fight back the tears at seeing him, but my relief is short-lived. He’s not safe either. Rebecca is a ticking timebomb with nothing left to lose.