more she’s willing to give, leading into this vicious cycle neither of us can escape.
And when I go out there, I know I will need to make a decision about what to do with her. If I’m going to set her free or keep her for my own selfish needs.
But would she ever want me the way I want her?
Could she ever love the man beneath the beast?
The man who made her confess?
I run my hand over my face and rinse off, determined not to dwell on it further. The fact is that I’ve already made my decision, even if I tell myself I still have time. I don’t.
Because I already knew long ago what I was going to do … And that it wasn’t going to be her choice, but mine. I don’t easily give up something that’s supposed to be mine to keep.
Maybe that makes me a monster, but I don’t care. I know what I want, and I’m willing to hurt for it, die for it … kill for it.
I already stepped over the line. Why would it matter if I keep doing it?
But a little voice inside my head whispers at me in the dark.
Don’t do it. You’ll regret it.
Not for you. You know exactly what you want.
But you’ll regret it … for her.
I frown and glare at the wall in front of me.
Since when do I have a conscience?
I don’t, and no amount of thinking will change that fact.
So I grunt as I turn off the shower, then grab a towel to head back into my bedroom and find sweet relief in her embrace. But the moment I open the door, I’m surprised to find an empty bed.
Open wardrobes.
Clothes scattered all around.
A wide open door.
Just like my mouth.
Amelia
Through the dark night I run through the bushes and along the trees, back through the same forest I came through last time. But this time, I came prepared. I snuck out through the garage after stealing a map from one of the cabinets there. I know exactly where to go now. Not too far away from where I got last time. But now, no guard is on my tail. No one to call me in, no one to chase me down to the beach and catch me just before I make it off.
The guards were having lunch in the kitchen right around the time I escaped, and Eli won’t even notice I’m gone until it’s too late.
With a bolstered heart, I storm through the woods without looking back, even though every step hurts because of what I’m leaving behind, but I don’t dare to say that out loud, to ever utter the words “I deserved to be here.”
I can’t. Not until I know the truth.
And for that, I need to go back to the place where it all began. Home.
So I run and run until my breath falters, until my legs almost cave underneath me, and my heart is almost beating out of my chest. Even if my body is at its end, I refuse to quit because I know there is a way out. There has to be.
Suddenly, I spot it. The small pier I’ve been looking for, the one on the map.
It isn’t much, just a few planks of wood stuck into the water, but there’s a boat attached to a rope. And I’m going to steal it.
Eli
I sprint through the woods as fast as I can, guards on my tail. I didn’t tell anyone what happened because there was no time. I had to catch up with her, no matter the cost. I knew where she was headed and what she was about to do.
She was going back there, back to where I caught her, but this time she’d find an exit. The only one I’d left behind in case I’d ever need one. Never has regret been this strong.
Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I try to get there on time. I ran outside in a mere top and a pair of undies. That’s how fast I was to chase her.
And it still isn’t on time.
Because the moment I spot her, she’s already halfway on her way across the water in my fucking boat. All by herself, with no one and nothing to help her if she fails to get across.
“Amelia!” I yell as I stand on the beach and watch her turn around.
The look on her face is precious, scornful, yet full of sorrow.
As though it pains her as much to do this.
As though this is a final goodbye.
But if there’s one thing she clearly doesn’t understand about me, it’s this: I will never stop hunting her. Not now. Not ever.
Get Book 2: Dark Lies now!
More Books by Clarissa Wild
Dark Romance
Savage Men Series
A Debt Owed & A Debt Repaid
Under His Rule & Beyond His Control
The Company Series
Delirious Series
Wicked Bride Games & Dirty Wife Games
Father
New Adult
Rowdy Boy
Cruel Boy
Fierce Series
Blissful Series
Ruin
Erotic Romance
The Billionaire’s Bet Series
Enflamed Series
Bad Teacher & Bad Boss
Hotel O
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About Clarissa Wild
Clarissa Wild is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of Dark Romance and Contemporary Romance novels. She is an avid reader and writer of swoony stories about dangerous men and feisty women. Her other loves include her hilarious husband, her cutie pie son, her two crazy but cute dogs, and her ninja cat that sometimes thinks he's a dog too. In her free time, she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, playing video games, reading tons of books, and cooking her favorite meals.
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