Page 16 (1/2)

“I thought you said you wouldn’t hurt her?”

“If you do as I say Barbie will re need her Once she’s gone the police will get an anonyerprints and Daxton’s blood on it”

“That’s blackmail,” I seethed

“Is that what it’s called? I never knew”

My erprints on it? I hadn’t hurt Dax Wait…I’d grabbed one froh Had he?

“You’re bluffing,” I retorted s o to the police, but you would? Further me in jail won’t keepperson”

He clicked his tongue, shaking his head in a show of faux disappoint to you You’re smarter than this”

“You of all people know I don’t bluff You’re the one that can’t go to the cops, I can They’ll do whatever the fuck the Barrons’ tell them to because we line their pockets and make the town look pretty”

“You would send me to jail?”

“Yes,” he answered without hesitation “I willprison cell before I let them have you”

“Them…?”

He looked beyondOf course, that’s what he meant “What did they do?”

“Have you ever thought to ask them?” he questioned coldly

I shut my mouth and sed around a lump in my throat I knew his sister was a sore subject but didn’t I deserve to knohat the hell was going on?

“Don’t do that,” he ordered softly

“Don’t ask?”

With an indiscernible expression, he held my face in his hands “Don’t cry”

What? I didn’t realize I was crying until he swept away my tears

“I know this is hard for you I pro is that you give me time to do what I need to first Can you do that, bella?”

“Are you giving me a choice?”

“The only choice you have is to choose me Always”