Page 70 of Ruthless Intent

“What?”

“When I get to zero, you no longer have a choice. Nine.”

“You’re insane.”

“Eight.”

“If I scream, someone will investigate.”

“Seven. Go for it.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Six. You know why.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry!”

“Five. Your apology is fourteen years too late.”

I unclip my seatbelt, and open the door. “Four. I’ll be on zero by the time I get to your side. If you’re not out of the car …”

I climb out.

She’s standing on the drive when I reach her.

“I hate you. I hate you. They should never have released you. You’re a monster.”

I lift a hand, she lurches back, but all I do is pat her cheek gently.

“Firecracker, I haven’t even introduced you to the monster you made me become yet.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

ASHLEY

My heart is slamming against my ribs. My throat is tight. My palms are sweaty.

I can’t stop shaking.

I can’t breathe.

I can’t step foot inside that house.

I can’t.

Just the thought of being here brings me out in a cold sweat. He can’t be serious. He can’t honestly want to go into this house. This has to be some kind of twisted joke.

I search him out. He’s leaning against the hood of the car, hands in his pockets, watching me out of those cold, dark eyes.

“I can’t.” I force the words past the lump in my throat. “Please, don’t make me do this.”

His expression doesn’t change. “You signed the contract. You signed away your right to make your own decisions, in full awareness of what you were doing.”

“You … there’s something wrong with you.” The words come out as a whisper.

“Are you going to walk inside or do I need to carry you? I’m sure it’ll give the neighbors something to gossip about.”

“The neighbors …”

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