Page 1 of Be a Good Girl and Choke on this D*ck
Prologue
DARK
I’ve been called many names in my life: sick, psychopath, murderer, deranged, monster. They’ve never bothered me. All are accurate descriptions; however, as I stare down at the girl sleeping cozily in her bed, believing she is safe, it’s the first time one of those names flickers through my mind.
Hael River is the daughter of my enemy, the innocent daughter of the woman I once loved. She could have been my child, but Austin River stole that future from me. It turned out for the best, but holding grudges is my specialty, so I built an empire in his field solely to destroy him. Ten years ago could have been my time to strike; unfortunately, that’s when Hael lost her mom, and despite my lack of empathy, I hadn’twanted to ruin her life at such a young age. So I watched and waited, and here I am.
My focus should be on Austin; however, when I caught a glimpse of Hael, my obsession shifted, grew, and has now become unbearable. I’ve already stolen Austin’s most significant contract in Vegas with Theias Lorde, and things are running smoothly in all of the kingpin's businesses, so now I can devote a hundred percent of my focus to Hael.
Tonight, as she sleeps, her transformation into becoming mine has begun. I could take her now; nobody would know. Well, her friend Piper might, and that husband of hers—an old friend, thankfully—could have presented as a problem, but for now, I’m content to watch.
I’ve already swapped out her birth control pills for placebos, thanks to a friend in pharmaceuticals, so the three months’ supply she keeps on hand is now worthless.
While construction is being completed on my home, ensuring she can’t escape once she’s brought there, I’ll introduce my presence into her life. Beginning with the text I’ve already sent for when she wakes up.
Hael may have a hard exterior and an unfiltered mouth, but her heartcries out for love. She wants that epic happily ever after, and I intend to give it to her. Her reading preferences have given me many ideas for winning her over, too.
She has six weeks until I bring her home.
Six more weeks of perceived freedom.
Once I lock her up in her castle, she won’t be free again until she’s carrying my baby and my last name.
CHAPTER 1
Hael
My phone has remained oddly silent today. A sliver of unease slithers down my spine as I walk to the front of the classroom to hand in my history paper. Halloween is around the corner, and I’m glad to have one of the more difficult assignments behind me.
Exiting the class, I head to the dining hall to meet my best friend, Piper. We don’t see each other a lot outside of school because she’s got a man who’s so damn obsessed with her, she can hardly breathe without him.
I’m not jealous.Yes, I am.Mostly, I’m kind of lonely.
Ever since my dad lost that security contract and left the state, we’ve hardly spoken. When we do, hedoesn’t listen to me, and the calls have become shorter and less frequent. The stranger’s messages have been the most contact I’ve had with anyone since they started several weeks ago.
From the things they’ve written, I can tell it’s a man, and I think he’s got a crush on me, but he refuses to reveal himself. Sometimes he sends me pictures of things he believes I’ll like—a fancy coffee he’s drinking, bright, blooming flowers, a sunset. Ordinary images that always manage to make me smile.
“Hey, Hael.” Jeremy Gates slings an arm across my shoulders, charming smile in place. He’s on the college basketball team, and we have a history class together.
“Hi, Jeremy.” Offering him a friendly smile as we enter the building, my eyes go on the hunt for Piper, but I don’t see her. Her last class ended before mine.Maybe Galen came to visit her.
I sigh while Jeremy chatters in my ear as we stand in line to grab food. Nothing appeals to me, so I go simple with a blueberry crumble muffin and an apple juice. Before paying for it, however, Jeremy is there with his card.
“Thanks.” I smile at him again and make my way towards a table. He follows and sits next to me. Our hips touch on the bench, and he hooks his foot around mine so we’re tangled up.
“Listen, Hael. I was really hoping you’d let me take you for dinner. I’ve been working hard to get your attention since the spring, and since you’re usually alone, I figure you could use the company.” His observation hurts because it's accurate.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, but I ignore it and ask instead, “Just dinner?”
Jeremy is cute in the boy-next-door kind of way, but he’s also a jock, and I’m a typical bookworm. I’m hesitant about our differences.
“Just dinner and dessert, because, why not, right?” His charming grin sways me.
“Okay, sure, dinner,” I respond.
His smile widens, and he leans forward. I anticipate a kiss on the lips; instead, he drops one on my throat and groans.
“You smell so good, Hael.” His voice is heated, and I pull back as he does. “I’ll pick you up tonight at seven.” He takes off to sit with his friends before I can ask how the hell he knows where I live.
