Page 117 of Ruthless Intent

“But things are just getting interesting.”

I grind my teeth at the amusement in his tone. “Then I’ll wait outside.”

Grabbing the handle of my suitcase, I pick it up and walk out of the room, ignoring my mom’s call for me to wait.

When Zain comes out a few minutes later, I’m sitting on the steps outside the house. He walks past me, then turns once he’s on the sidewalk. All signs of the relaxed man from inside have gone. His features are hard, his lips set into an unsmiling line.

“That was rude.” All warmth has gone from his voice.

I don’t care.

“Was it?”

“You should show some respect to your mother.”

“Respect … I should respect her?” The laugh that breaks free holds a tinge of hysteria. “You really are crazy, aren’t you? And that’s what you’re doing to me. That’s your plan, isn’t it? You have no intention of having my mom arrested. You just want to drive me insane. To send me over the edge until I lose all grip on sanity.” I force the words out through my laughter.

Laughter I can’t stop. Because I’ve figured it out now.

He warned me that he wanted to ruin my life. He threatened my mom. He forced me to sign a contract that I’m pretty confident is illegal.

But really … this is what he wants. To make me look crazy. To make everyone around me think I’ve lost my mind.

And … I can’t stop laughing.

Because it’s working.

I saw my mom’s face before I walked out. She’s firmly in Zain’s camp now. He showed her a version of himself that couldn’t possibly be any kind of monster.

That’s me.

I’m the monster in this story.

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

ZAIN

I leave her sitting on the steps and take her suitcase to the car. Tossing it onto the back seat, I straighten and turn back. She hasn’t moved, but she has stopped laughing.

“Are you going to walk to the car, or do I have to carry you?”

Her head jerks up at the sound of my voice.

“And give the entire street a front row seat to my supposed insanity?” She stands. “I don’t think so.”

Pushing past me, she walks to the car and gets in. I stay where I am for a second or two longer. The evening ahead is going to be interesting, especially with the mood Ashley is in now.

Her leap to thinking I’m trying to drive her crazy is interesting. I’m not sure how she’s reached it, but I’m more than willing to work with it.

Why the fuck am I looking forward to seeing how she tries to defy me?

I give myself a mental shake and join her inside the car. She ignores me, face turned toward the window, but I can almost hear the wheels turning in her head as she tries to work things out.

I don’t try to talk to her, and the drive back to my parents’ house is made in silence. A silence that isn’t broken when I park the car, and climb out. She doesn’t wait for me to open the door, and is standing on the drive when I reach the passenger side.

“I’d like to freshen up before we eat, if you don’t mind.” Her voice is flat.

“I’ll show you to our room, and you can take a shower and change.” I match her tone.

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