Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 182075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
“You’re a fucking liar. It’s theirs, isn’t it? But they don’t want you, do they? After your betrayal.”
She tugged at his hand desperately.
He laughed manically. “My client wanted to win that bid and getting it for them meant a nice payday for me. But that wasn’t even the best part for me.”
She scratched his arm, drawing rivulets of blood.
He let out a yell, letting go of her throat and she gulped in deep breaths.
Protect the baby.
She had to protect the baby.
“You’re such a stupid bitch, Indie. Thinking that you could get away from me? Well, you can’t! I own you. You are mine and they can’t have you.”
Well, more fool him because they didn’t want her. He’d seen to that. He’d isolated her. Hurt her. He’d turned her into a shell that couldn’t function.
Until she’d discovered she was pregnant.
Then everything changed.
He threw her again and she slammed into the wonky coffee table before landing on her knees. She curled into herself to keep her stomach protected as he kicked her in the side.
Searing pain stole her breath and it took her a long moment before she was able to scream. But she screamed as loud as she could.
It was the only thing she could think to do.
“Shut up, you stupid bitch!” He kicked her again. “Shut up! Shut up!”
Pain shot through her scalp as he grabbed her by the hair and pulled. Another scream erupted out of her as tears streamed down her face.
Was he going to kill her?
Then she heard someone calling out.
Billy let go of her and she lay on her back, trying to figure out how to breathe without passing out.
“Leave her alone! I’ve called the police!”
“Fuck! This isn’t the end, Indie,” Billy warned. “That’s my baby in there and you aren’t going to raise my child.”
And then there was blissful silence.
Just her and the pain.
She laid her hand over her tummy.
Please be okay, Button. Please be okay.
13
Indie woke up with a cry of fear.
She didn’t know why she was so scared but her heart was racing and as she opened her eyes, she didn’t recognize where she was.
Everything was loud. There were people everywhere. And the lights were so bright that it hurt her eyeballs.
Suddenly a woman appeared in her vision and she let out a cry, trying to shy back, to get away from the threat. But her body screamed in pain and she had to stop with a moan.
“Hi, it’s all right. My name is Monica. I’m a nurse at St George’s. Can you tell me your full name?”
The hospital?
Why was she in the hospital? Her mind raced. What was going on? Was it the baby? Had she collapsed?
But why was she in so much pain? It felt like she couldn’t breathe without fire engulfing her side.
And then it came to her.
Billy!
Button!
“I’m pregnant,” she managed to get out.
Monica nodded, very calm. How could she be so calm when her baby might be hurt!
“We’re just accessing your records now. How far along are you?” the other woman asked.
“Four-four months.”
“I don’t want you to worry, the baby will be well protected. But we’ll have an ultrasound done and I’ll let the doctor know so we give you the right meds, okay? Full name and date of birth?”
Indie gave her those details.
“Good. The doctor is coming now to check you over. Is there anyone I can call for you?” Monica asked as she secured a blood pressure cuff to her arm.
Her immediate thought was Slade and her guys.
But they weren’t hers. They hated her now and they wouldn’t come even if the hospital called.
Maggie was overseas and not answering any messages.
“No,” Indie said, feeling incredibly alone. “There’s no one.”
Monica stared down at her with sympathy, then she squeezed her hand lightly. “Well, you’re one of mine now and I’m going to take care of you.”
They were kind words, but Indie had learned that she had to stand on her own two feet.
“Thanks,” she whispered. “All I want is for my baby to be okay.”
“Then we’ll make sure of that first,” Monica reassured. “Just relax, honey. That asshole can’t get to you and there’s nothing for you to do but rest and get better.”
The phone ringing jolted her out of her nap and she groaned.
They had given her a low dose of morphine which helped a lot, but she could still feel where fucking Billy had kicked her in her side, cracking several ribs.
But at least Button was all right.
That was the main thing.
She looked around, unable to see where her phone was. How was it even here?
Wait. She had a vague recollection of someone bringing her some things. A kind police officer had arranged it after she’d given her statement about Billy breaking in and attacking her.
The cops hadn’t found him yet as far as she knew. But surely he wouldn’t be able to hide for long.