Page 45 of Ruthless Intent

She gapes at me, her expression clearly telling me that the idea hadn’t even crossed her mind. If I didn’t know already, that alone would be enough to tell me the relationship is not serious … at least, on her part.

“And the fact you haven’t tells me everything I need to know about that so-called relationship.”

“I’ve worked hard to build the life I have, you can’t just?—”

“Can, and am. You read the contract before you signed it. You know the terms.”

“But my job?—”

It’s telling how that’s her only concern, and not her boyfriend.

“There are no jobs in prison, Ashley. Well, no that’s not true. There are, but none you can leave the building to attend.”

“What am I supposed to tell them?”

“I don’t really give a fuck, except the truth, obviously.”

“This isn’t fair, Zain.”

“Life isn’t fair, Ashley.”

I pull into a space outside her house, and look at her. “I’ll pick you up at eight. We’ll have breakfast, and go over some of the things I expect you to do this week. Then you can make your calls. Once that’s done, we’ll be heading back to my parents’ place so I can introduce you to them, and lay the groundwork for our impending love story.”

“Meet your parents?” She sounds, and looks, a little sick.

“I’m not going to marry someone without telling them. What kind of monster do you think I am?”

She blinks at me. I know what she’s thinking.

I’m the worst type of monster. The monster who killed her brother. The monster who’s destroying her relationships. The monster who’s forcing her to marry me. The monster who’s blackmailing her.

And I am. I am the monster she’s building me up to be in her head. I’m doing all those things to her.

Except one.

I did not kill her brother.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

ASHLEY

I can’t move. I’m frozen in place, shock locking my muscles tight, and staring at the man beside me. Every time I think he can’t make things any worse, he does something new.

Does he really expect me to face his parents and behave like I like him? Actually no, he doesn’t. He expects me to behave like I’m attracted to him. Like I love him. Because that’s the only reason anyone would rush into marriage. Does he really think anyone is going to believe that?

I know the answer to that question without even thinking about it. Yes, of course he does. In the few hours I’ve spent with him so far, I’ve already learned that when he says something is going to happen, then that’s what will happen.

And I’ve just signed away fourteen months of my life. I’ve relinquished all control over to him. To this monster.

The nausea that’s been threatening all evening finally reaches its peak and I barely get the car door open before I vomit everything I’ve eaten, not that it’s a lot, all over the road.

On the edge of my awareness, a car door slams, and then two booted feet appear in my vision. I frown at them.

Black boots, dusty and worn.

I focus on them, while I will my stomach to stop churning.

“Here.” A handkerchief enters my vision.

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