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Her favorite gifts on her doorstep haven’t swayed her. I need to remind her what life is like with me, how happy she is when we’re together. Starting with a romantic dinner, followed by a candlelit bath, and an evening of reading together by the crackling fireplace. Whatever she wants, whatever she asks of me, I’ll give to her.
Fortunately, her car isn’t in the driveway yet when I pull in. I still have time to set up.
I will do anything to get her back. To keep her forever. Anything.
My footsteps echo through the silent manor. From a seat at the dining room table, the intruder smiles.
My stomach plummets to my feet.
“S.T. Nicholson. Where’s your mask?” He nudges a glass of scotch toward me, nodding for me to take a seat at my own table.
I thought I’d need to find him, but it seems he’s chosen to make my job easier. “Hello, Trevor. Come to chase Briar through my manor again? Or watch us fuck in the sunroom, perhaps?”
His lip curls up with distaste. “Not this time.”
“To what do I owe the pleasure then? Come to fuck another woman in my office? I’m afraid my mask is in the car.”
“I won’t be needing it. The only woman I’ll be fucking here is Briar.”
Fury swiftly boils in my veins and I pat my waistband, heart dropping when I don’t feel my gun in its holster.
I hadn’t anticipated his arrival here. A stupid mistake.
One that may prove fatal.
“I’m sure your girlfriend would be unhappy to hear about that,” I manage.
Trevor leans forward, mouth curdled in an ugly sneer. “She was just some whore who put out for a little information. She did a job, and she did it well—Briar finally realized she shouldn’t be with a lunatic like you.”
I take the seat across from him, trailing a lazy finger around the rim of the scotch. “You know, impersonating a police officer is illegal. Still abusing your power even after being forced to turn in your badge, I see.” I lean back when he doesn’t respond. “She’s twenty-two. Her brother just died. Vulnerable, desperate. You took advantage.”
His dark chuckle claws down my spine like talons. “So the serial killer is going to lecture me on what’s illegal?”
I stiffen. How much has Briar told him? Regardless, he has no proof. Nor will he be leaving my home alive to tell the tales of my criminal activity. “I don’t coerce and blackmail women.”
“No, you only stalk them.” Trevor takes in the high ceiling and towering dark walls of Nicholson Manor. “Can’t imagine what a bestselling author could want with an MFA program. But I suppose your work could use some improvement.”
I lift a brow. “You’ve read my work?”
“Unfortunately. Briar wouldn’t stop going on about your latest book.” His mouth sours.
I lift the glass to my lips. “Not to your taste?”
“Let’s just say it was the worst drivel I’ve ever read in my life.”
Drivel.
This is my friend’s favorite book so I decided to give it a try. This is the worst drivel I’ve ever read in my life.
The first line of the negative review that initiated my downward spiral.
That led me to miss my deadlines, get fired by my agent, and lose my book deal.
I sputter into my scotch, failing to swallow a drop. The bottom of the glass cracks when I smack it back down, liquid sloshing over the edge. “Was three thousand words not enough to adequately express your disdain for the book? You’ve come here to share your opinion to my face?”
He snickers. “I don’t give a shit about your stupid book. I’ve come here to make sure you stay away from Briar.”
“I thought your video already accomplished that.”
