Page 148 of Shadows in Bloom

CRUZ

I wait patiently on the cot, with one leg extended and the other drawn up, my wrist resting on my knee. A surveillance camera is mounted in the upper corner of the room, and a red light blinks repeatedly. Whoever is watching on the other side must be bored by now. I haven’t moved a muscle since I entered this holding cell and laid down.

Staring at the moldy, cracked ceiling, I count the seconds since I last saw Marshall. Time in here crawls by, leaving me restless and fidgety, though I’m a calm lake on the outside. No one will ever see me crack under pressure, and it’ll take more than bars to keep me away from what’s mine. I’ll be waiting patiently, imagining all the ways I’ll make Marshall submit, willingly or not.

Footsteps echo in the hallway, and keys jingle in the lock. The door opens, and a bored-looking officer jerks his chin at me to make a move. “You’re free to go.”

Well, well, well. A smile crawls over my lips and I slide out from the cot, following the officer into the hallway. Detective Grant leans across the wall opposite, his tie askew, eyes narrowing on me as though he has me figured out. He’s just waiting for me to slip up so that he can tighten the noose around my neck.

Smirking, I keep my attention locked on him for as long as I can, and then I wink as I turn the corner.

To be continued…

ABOUT HARLEIGH BECK

Harleigh Beck lives in a small town in the northeast of England with her hubby and their three children. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her head down in a book. She mainly reads dark romance, but she also likes the occasional horror. She has more books planned, so be sure to connect with her on her social media for updates.

ALSO BY HARLEIGH BECK

Standalones

Chokehold (co-author, Leigh Rivers)

Obsession

Sinister Legacy

The King of Sherwood Forest

Kitty Hamilton

Novellas

Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are

Sweet Taste of Betrayal

Entangled

Sins of the Fallen

Touched by sin

Touched by Darkness

Touched by Death

The Rivals Duet

The Rivals’ Touch

Fadeaway

Counter Bet Series

Counter Bet

Devil’s Bargain

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