Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 86(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
"Oh, Kelly. What's the rush?" Frank says, his voice sickly sweet. "It's been so long. Why don't you take a seat, and we can catch up?"
I whirl around, my heart pounding. "Frank? How … how did you get in here?"
"That's not important. Come here and sit down with me, sweetheart." He gestures towards one of the dining room chairs, not with an empty hand, but with a small, silver pistol. My heart thunders in my chest at the sight.
No, no, no.
I shake my head, my entire body trembling. "No. No, Frank. I don't want you here. I don't want to see you. Please just leave."
He scowls, and for a brief moment, I'm terrified he's going to shoot me on the spot. "Sit down."
I glance down at the phone in my hand, still clutched tightly. Cam hung up, and I desperately want to call him back, but I have a feeling it would only end badly.
"What do you want?" I whisper.
"You," Frank says simply, his eyes traveling over me. "I've wanted you since the first time I laid eyes on you, Kelly."
I feel sick to my stomach.
"But we never had a chance. Now we do. You're soldier isn't here, and we have all the time in the world. SIT DOWN, Kelly."
The last two words are so harsh, so commanding, that I have no choice but to sit. My entire body trembles, and I feel like I might be sick.
"So beautiful," Frank says softly, staring at me. "And all mine."
I feel a sob build up in my throat. This can't be happening. I think of all the beautiful moments Cam and I have shared, how spending time with him has made this new phase of my life the happiest ever, and I don't want it to end. I don't want Frank to touch me, but I'm afraid that if I fight back, he'll shoot me.
The police will be here soon, I tell myself, the police AND Cam. You just have to stall!
"Frank," I say slowly, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "Frank, I need to use the restroom."
"No. You're not going anywhere. You're staying right here, with me."
"But Frank—"
"I said no!" His voice is loud and angry, and when he takes a step towards me, I let out a little cry, jumping to my feet.
"Kelly!"
"Stay away from me," I whisper, my voice shaking.
"Don't make me hurt you, honey. I just want us to be together, like we should be."
His free hand shoots out to grab my wrist, and he pulls me forward against his chest. He smells awful, like he hasn't showered in days, and the feeling of his skin on mine is clammy. Time slows to a standstill as he tries to lower his face to mine, lips pursed.
What would Cam want me to do? I think. The answer is as clear as day. Cam would want me to fight.
And fight I do.
I slam my forehead against his, and he yelps, pushing me away. I run for the door, but Frank is faster than me. He grabs me by the hair, but I fight back like a scalded cat, kicking and screaming. I scratch at his face hard enough to draw blood, and he finally releases me. I can hear sirens in the distance, but I've still got at least a minute before they reach us.
Everything after that seems to happen all at once, but in slow motion at the same time. Frank raises the pistol with a shaking hand, the other hand clasping his bloodied face, but before he can even aim, the basement door flies open and Cam slams into him, hard.
"Go!" Cam yells, trying to wrestle the gun from Frank without setting it off. "Outside, Kelly! Go!"
I run as fast as I can, my pulse thundering. The police car screeches to a halt in the driveway, and two officers jump out, guns drawn. I put my hands in the air, sobbing, and one of them lowers his weapon to intercept me.
"It's okay, miss," the officer says. "You're safe."
"Cam is still inside!" I cry. "You have to help him!"
I know Frank is no match for Cam, but Frank is armed. I'm scared and shaking, and all I want is for my protector to wrap me up in his arms and hold me close.
The other officer runs towards the house, and when I hear the crack of a gunshot, I scream.
The police won't let me back into the house, and when a pair of ambulances roll up, my hysteria only grows. It turns out the ambulance is for me, not for Cam. They insist on checking my vitals and try to tell me I’m in shock, but I don't care about that right now.
"Cam!" I sob. "Where is he? Is he okay?"
"Miss, please calm down," one of the paramedics says. "They'll bring him out shortly."