Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
She yanked the blender from the counter, and the cord ripped out of the outlet as she whirled it around and threw it at Justin.
He lifted an arm over his face to block it. It struck him against the forearm, and he roared as he flung it away. The appliance clattered to the ground, and the glass of the carafe shattered at his feet.
It only seemed to enrage him more. “You stupid bitch. Warned you. Fuckin’ warned you. What’s it going to take to make you listen?”
He slashed the knife at her.
The tip whipped by an inch from her chin.
She fumbled around to flee, using her hands to propel herself around the other side of the island. Trying to get to the opening that led back out of the kitchen.
She made it around one corner when a slash of pain cut across her shoulder.
A whimper raked out of her as she realized she’d been cut, but she ignored the searing burn as she whipped around the counter and started for the family room.
She had to get out of here. Out front and scream.
Maybe a neighbor would hear and call the police.
Only she wasn’t fast enough. Evil rushed and Justin shoved her from behind, tossing her from her feet. She flew, body propelled forward before she slammed to the ground.
She could feel Justin looming over her, and whimpering, she started to crawl.
Grief and desperation ricocheted through her being.
She had to do something.
Find something.
She gripped onto the base of a floor lamp, and she flung herself over onto her back as she swung it through the air.
Surprise flashed in Justin’s eyes a fleeting second before it smashed against his jaw.
His head rocked to the side, and he toppled that way and hit the floor.
She scrambled back around, struggling to get back to her feet.
A hand curled around her ankle. “You fuckin’ bitch. I’m gonna make you pay for that. Gonna kill you slow, just like I did your mother.”
Agony clawed through her spirit, but still, she fought. Kicking out her feet, she struggled to break his vicious hold.
Her heel struck his wrist, and his hand slipped.
On a sob of relief, she made it onto one knee, but it was too late.
A cry of misery rocketed out of her when a searing hot pain sliced into the lower left side of her back.
Gasping through the agony, she tried not to pass out.
Not to give.
Justin yanked the blade from her side then thrust it down again.
Pain splintered through her.
Obliterating.
Destroying.
And still she fought.
She kicked out, and her foot somehow landed against his face.
A howl of pain rocked from him, and he released her. His hand went to cover his nose as he swayed where he was upright on his knees. “You bitch. I’m going to cut you to tiny fuckin’ pieces.”
She didn’t hesitate. She grabbed the decorative vase her mother kept on the coffee table and swung it around.
It shattered against his head.
He slumped forward on a deep, guttural moan. Though he wasn’t out and he fought to get back to his knees.
Piper turned and started to run.
“No place you can go that I won’t catch up to you. Gonna find you and gut you. Go to the police. I dare you. I’ll be there waiting for you first.”
Fear tangled with the desperation that surged through her body.
Fight and flight taking hold.
She had to get out of there. Find some way to safety.
She would figure out a way to bring him to justice.
She would. She had to.
But she had to survive first.
She flew back out the front door.
Then she froze.
Nelly.
Oh, no, Nelly.
Gulping for air, she darted for the side gate, praying that she was okay. That he didn’t know where to get to her.
She threw it open.
Relief slammed her when she saw Nelly rushing up the walkway, confusion on her face. “Piper? What’s going on?”
“Nelly. Nelly, oh, God. We have to go. Hurry.”
“What? Where’s your mother?” Her grandmother started to turn course and follow the sidewalk that led to the back door, then stalled when she noticed the blood on Piper’s shirt.
“Piper?” Fear slithered out with the single word.
Piper bolted forward and grabbed her by the hand, yanking at her. “We have to go. Right now. You have to trust me.”
Trust her.
When she had the worst judgement? When Nelly had been the one who was wise? The one who had seen?
But Piper would never allow herself to be in that position again.
She would fight with everything she had to make sure Nelly was safe.
She ran with her toward the car. Nelly fumbled along behind her, confusion and fear gushing from her in waves. “What’s going on, Piper? You’re scaring me.”
Piper hurried her into the passenger’s door and shoved her inside. She didn’t take the time to answer before she slammed it shut.
Horror gripped her when she saw Justin stagger out the front door. “Gonna bleed you slow. Both of you.”