Page 47 of Ruthless Intent

You don’t turn your back on a stranger. You made sure no one was close by when you were entering your home, if you were alone.

A little like being in prison, I guess.

He stops at the bottom of the steps.

“Go inside, Ashley.”

The way he says my name makes my stomach spin.

“I will.”

I don’t move. Nor does he. I look up and down the street. There’s no one else around.

“I’m not going to murder you.” There’s an annoyed bite to his tone.

“I know that. Too many witnesses. You prefer to do your dirty work where no one can see you.”

His expression changes. His lips thin, and his eyes narrow.

I spin to face the door, rummage around my pocket for the key, then shove it in the lock. My heart hammers against my ribs the entire time, half-expecting him to grab me. But the sound of a car engine breaks the silence as I step inside the house.

Leaning back against the wood, I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

“How did it go?” Mom’s voice makes me jump.

My hand slaps to my mouth and I fight to control my racing heart. She must see something in my face because she laughs.

“I’m sorry. I thought you heard me. I wasn’t trying to give you a heart attack.”

“It was …” Insane? Bizarre? Potentially life-changing, and not in a good way? “Interesting.

I’m … I’m having breakfast with him tomorrow.”

Her eyes widen. “You are? That sounds like this evening went a little better than you thought it would. Did you manage to clear the air? Did you talk about what you think you saw, and what he says happened that night?”

“We’re … getting there. That’s why we’re meeting again. We have a lot to discuss.”

I’m marrying him so he doesn’t drag you through court and put you in prison for a crime you didn’t commit.

I can’t tell her that. Somehow I’m going to have to make her believe that I want to marry him, and that we’re rushing into it for a good reason. I just can’t think of one.

“I think this will be really good for both of you. I’m glad you agreed to it. It’ll give you closure, and maybe bring him a little peace.”

I nod, pushing myself away from the door. “Maybe. We’ll see. I’m going to go to bed. It’s been a really tiring day today, and I have to be up early.”

I’m going to need my wits about me to deal with Zain in the morning. And then I need to figure out a way to convince my housemates that I haven’t lost my mind when I tell them I won’t be back for over a year.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

ZAIN

I don’t go back to my parents’ place straight away. There’s something else I need to do first.

The drive to the other side of town takes me around twenty minutes, and the road I turn onto is quiet. Street lamps are placed at intervals, keeping the road illuminated without being too bright. There aren’t many houses. Four or five, possibly, all with gated entrances. It’s the complete opposite to the street that the house I shared with Jason and Louisa is on. I stop outside the third house, and press a button on my keys. The gates ahead slide open silently, allowing me to continue up the drive.

There’s a fountain in front of the house, but it’s empty of water. It’s clean and there aren’t any weeds growing around it, so it’s clearly been maintained. The same with the grassed areas. Ceramic pots full of wildflowers are placed along the path.

When I park and climb out, a security light comes on, turning the graveled drive a warm honey color. My footsteps are loud in the silence as I walk over to the front door. It takes a second for me to locate which one is the correct key, and I unlock the door and push it open.

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