Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 25544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
“But I don’t understand why it even matters—”
“Because I want you.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
“From the very first day we met, I’ve wanted you.”
This can’t be true.
“But you were already with Pettyfer, and I knew you would never be the type to leave him.”
Am I really, really hearing this?
“But now that he’s cheated on you, it’s my turn now. I intend to make you mine. For the rest of our lives.”
All I can do is stare. Is this really happening?
The fingers around my chin tighten.
“So I’m asking you again, Nicole. Are you going to sign the divorce papers?”
For one moment, I’m tempted. So, so tempted by so many things. Just so, so tempted to take the easy way out and say yes.
But—
“I can’t,” I whisper.
His lips tighten, and I’m stunned how the sight makes my heart ache. My whole life, my heart has only cared for Sandy, and while it’s painful to think how it was never the same for him—
“Why?”
This...is even more painful.
This one word that Mr. Everford has made forced himself to ask...because he was telling the truth earlier, however difficult that may be to believe. He wants me, and that’s the reason he’s asking why.
It’s just one word, but I instinctively know how much it’s cost this proud, proud man to ask this. For him, this is no different from begging already, and so for him to still ask why—
That’s what makes me realize one more painful truth.
My heart has never ached like this for Sandy, and that’s why I have to tell him the truth.
“If I sign the divorce papers, it means I’m admitting to cheating on him first...with you.”
Chapter Fourteen
WHO THE HELL CARES?
Sign the papers so we can be together.
Let’s not waste another day because of that douchebag.
Those are just some of the things I want to say to Nicole...but I don’t.
Because Montero’s already knocking on the door, which means Dr. Pitt has finally arrived, and Nicole’s health must come first.
“Come in.”
Montero opens the door, and Dr. Pitt enters the room. She's in her sixties, white-haired, sharp-eyed, and with a tendency to march rather than walk to wherever she’s going. It’s to be expected, considering how she’s also ex-army like Montero and almost everyone else who works for me at close proximity.
I glance at Nicole, asking, “Will you be alright with being alone while Dr. Pitt examines you?"
She slowly nods, and I have to clench my fists against the urge to touch her. She looks so small and lost, and there are tiny cuts on her skin that make me want to go back to that stockroom and finish what my men started—
“Chase.”
Dr. Pitt draws me out of my vengeful thoughts just in time, and I realize I’m causing an unnecessary delay. There are things I can do, but assessing Nicole's condition as a physician isn't one of them, and so I can only be satisfied with taking one last look at Nicole before forcing myself to leave.
Dr. Pitt has already started talking as I close the door behind me, and while I know Nicole is in good hands...
It's just not fucking enough.
I need to do something or I'll drive myself insane—
"Sir."
Montero is at the end of the hallway. "Reynolds is back."
Perfect.
This is exactly what I need, because I've never been the type to sit idly and do nothing.
Reynolds is already at the desk in my study when I walk in, laptop open, two folders aligned the way he always aligns them. He doesn't get up, and I don't expect him to. We stopped pretending to be employer and employee about eight years into the ten he's worked for me—about two years after the only thing that has ever truly broken me, which was a botched kidnapping attempt that ended with my father dead instead of me.
I was twenty-five. Up to that afternoon, I had been living as if nothing in the world could touch me. I have not lived that way since.
"Tell me."
Reynolds gives me his report without preamble. It's no surprise to learn that the man who accosted Nicole has a criminal record. A report has already been filed, but I intend to spare Nicole from further trauma. Justice will still be served, but Reynolds and I are confident we can find another victim to press charges against Nicole's assailant.
"Good." I lean back. "But aside from that—are you in contact with anyone who's working for the same law firm as Pettyfer's lawyer? I'd like to speak with him."
"As a matter of fact, I am," Reynolds says, "but it's sure to cost you."
"Pay him up front. And promise to pay him the same amount if he can speak to me within fifteen minutes."
"On it."
It's a generous offer that proves effective. The intern working for Pettyfer's lawyer is on the phone in five, and the information he gives me...