Total pages in book: 227
Estimated words: 220940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1105(@200wpm)___ 884(@250wpm)___ 736(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 220940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1105(@200wpm)___ 884(@250wpm)___ 736(@300wpm)
“All the reason why you shouldn’t be out on your own too. Are you trying to avoid someone, Brad?”
I laugh—not in humor—as I peek down at my arm. At the scratches and marks she’s left behind. “What are you talking about?”
A long, loud sigh. “There’s not a chance in hell any of us are moving out of this mansion until the new shitstorm has passed. I’m heading for the boatyard to stock up. Might have a run out on the water while I’m there.”
Stock up. We’ll all be stocking up, now it’s confirmed we all need to be. The bunker won’t be jam-packed for much longer. “Beau going?” I ask tentatively. I need to plan whatever bullshit I’m spewing to the men when they find out a woman was in here, because I’m sure as shit Beau will be telling James.
“No, she’s got a meeting with a lawyer. I’m banished.”
“What for?”
“Something to do with her mother. It’s a sore subject.”
I flinch. Yeah, I can imagine. “She’s taking Fury, right?”
“Don’t ask stupid fucking questions, Brad.” He hangs up. The girls will not be happy. Bye-bye easygoing, relaxed killer husbands. At least until we find out who the fuck’s fucking with us.
I hear the bathroom door open behind me, reminding me of another problem. “Fuck.” I head back inside, just catching sight of Pearl dipping out quietly and closing the door. “Pearl,” I call, going after her. I pull the door open and search the corridor. No Pearl. But I do find Otto.
“What’s up?” he asks, looking me up and down.
“Nothing.”
He raises curious eyebrows as he keeps walking.
“Wait,” I call, backing up and going to my jacket, pulling out the phones I found in Ella’s backpack. I hand them to Otto. “See what you can find from these. And don’t mention it to anyone else.”
“Sure.” He doesn’t ask any questions, going on his way.
I shut the door, looking at the chair where my clothes are. I dip my trousers and pull out the used condom. And Pearl’s knickers. I’m not done with you yet. I should never have gone there in the first place.
I shake my head to myself and head to the bathroom, but stall, frowning at the bed. I move in closer.
Red.
“Fuck,” I whisper, taking in the bloody sheets.
And there’s me, being so careful not to hurt her.
There’s the proof.
I’m incapable.
And not just physically.
10
PEARL
* * *
I drop to the end of the bed and fall to my back. “Bloody hell,” I murmur, wincing at the soreness between my legs. My insides feel like they’re swollen, throbbing, and raw. To be expected, I suppose, given Brad was hardly at the back of the queue when God gave out—
“Where have you been?”
I lift my head off the bed, my mind scrambled, as Anya observes me from the bathroom doorway. Think. “I fell asleep in the TV room,” I blurt, getting up, avoiding her eyes, as I pass her and go to the bathroom.
“Do you feel better?”
“Not really.” Worse. I go to the mirror, cringing as I get out of my dress.
Fucked.
Ruined.
I reach between my thighs, wincing, seeing the dried blood staining my skin. I sigh. I can’t go back now, only forward. Problem is, I don’t know where to head. Having sex in the office was one thing. Having sex in his room and staying the night, now that’s another thing altogether.
Isn’t it? My palm meets my forehead, my eyes squeezing shut.
He took me to bed.
What do I do with that?
After showering and throwing on a white shift dress—no makeup, because I’m ill—I brave leaving the room, sure it’s now safe to do so. He won’t be here. Hardly ever is, and I can’t imagine that’s changed now. I wander down the corridor, still tense, and as I descend the stairs, I see Daniel coming up them. “Hey, kid,” I say, taking in his forlorn expression. “What’s the matter?”
“I’m grounded,” he grunts, passing me. “Well, Mom says I’m grounded. Dad says I’m not.”
I laugh. “Then you’re definitely grounded, kid.” Rose certainly has the power over her capable, murdering husband. She’s fearless.
“Yeah, I know.”
I check the time on my phone. He should be getting ready for school. “Does grounded mean you don’t go to school? Because that sounds like a great kind of grounded to me.” I turn at the bottom of the stairs and watch Daniel trudge up them.
“Principal Tucker has thrown me out.”
My eyes widen. “Why?”
“Because I said something dumb, but Preston Bean was asking for it.”
“Oh. What did Preston Bean do?”
“Called Dad a murderer. His dad’s a cop.”
Oh shit. I wouldn’t want to be Preston Bean’s dad right now. Or Principal Tucker. “Chin up, I’m sure your dad will sort it out.” I see plenty of threats heading their way. Stupid men.
Daniel mumbles and moans as he climbs the stairs, and Rose appears, Maggie in her arms, crossing the hallway to the kitchen. “Hey,” she says, head tilted. “Okay?”