Ruthless Intent (Ruthless Games Duology Book 1) by L. Ann

Author:L. Ann [Ann, L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Raven Ink Publishing
Published: 2024-08-23T00:00:00+00:00

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 …”

I glance around. Trees line both sides of the drive. There isn’t a house on the opposite side of the road. No one will see anything.

What will he do if I run? If I turn around and just flee?

He’ll catch you and drag you inside.

A hysterical laugh bubbles up my throat.

You’ve just married a man who has been incarcerated for fourteen years for murder, and you’re surprised by the fact he’s brought you here … to the scene of the crime?

“I hate you.”

“So you keep telling me.” He straightens. “Time to go inside. Make your choice, Ashley. Walk or be carried?”

Force myself to walk into a house I haven’t been near since my brother died, or give him the satisfaction of humiliating me further?

I stiffen my spine, throw back my head, and suck in a deep breath.

I can do this.

My feet don’t move.

I have to do this.

I take a step forward, then another, then another. Each step brings me closer to the house, and my heart is trying to burst out of my chest by the time I reach the steps leading to the front door.

My vision is swimming in and out. I’m cold, but there’s sweat beading on my forehead. My hands are clammy. I scrub them down my thighs.

This house is where all my nightmares play out.

I lick my lips.

I can do this!

Yes you can. Don’t give him the satisfaction.

“I’m impressed.” That cool voice sounds from behind me. “I was sure you’d run.” He leans past me and unlocks the door. “Go on. Go inside.”

It swings open on silent hinges, and I eye the dark hallway beyond.

Before I can move, Zain’s hand touches my back, and he gives me a less-than-gentle push forward. I stumble over the threshold, and then I’m inside.

I sway.

I was wrong. I can’t do this. I can’t.

The door closing behind me sounds like a prison cell shutting.

I spin, my intention to leave, and hands close over my shoulders.

“Going somewhere?”

“I can’t. Please. I have to leave. I can’t be here. I can’t.”

I try to wrench free, to push past him, my eyes focused on the door.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.