Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 147967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 740(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 740(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“They do,” he said, but he eased the hold on Ryan’s neck so he could breathe. “I asked Captain to put them in so they’d reach the street so we could catch this asshole doing a drive by. And instead, we found him here, jacking off.”
This wasn’t what she needed after the last few days she’d had. It was more than clear that she was exhausted. She was pale and had dark marks under her eyes.
“I get it,” she said. “He’s gross and disgusting and a rodent. Although that doesn’t seem fair to the rodent. But I don’t want you to get into trouble for killing him. Please let him go.”
She was worried about him?
That was sweet and totally unnecessary.
However, he was going to let the bastard go. He just had a warning to give first.
“You don’t need to worry about me, spitfire,” he told her while staring straight at Ryan. “Because I do know how to get rid of a dead body.”
Then he let Ryan go. The other man landed on his feet, then slid to the ground, gasping for air.
Pitiful.
He hadn’t been strangling him that hard.
“I’m going . . . to have . . . you arrested . . . for this . . .” Ryan said.
Matthieu shook his head. “Seems I let you go too soon.” He crouched down in front of Ryan. “For a supposedly smart man you’re being very dumb right now. Don’t you get it? You talk and you die. It’s as simple as that.”
“You . . . you can’t do that! This is America. You assaulted me!”
“And you sexually harassed me,” Maya said from behind him, sounding harsh.
Strong.
His admiration for her grew. A lot of people would be afraid right now. They would have left by now. But not his spitfire.
Not his Bébé.
No, not yours. And you need to get that out of your head right now.
“You stalked me. Watched me undress. You think that anyone will blame Matthieu for what he did to you?”
Well, they likely would. But he was here to support her. So he kept that to himself.
“No one is going to believe you,” Ryan spat at her. “Why would anyone on the force take you seriously? Your reputation proceeds you. They will all take my word over yours.”
Fuck, he was a nasty ass.
Matthieu hadn’t really planned on killing him. But now he was rethinking that stance. The world would be a better place without this asshole in it.
But before he could figure out a plan to take him out, Maya spoke up again. “Really? You think that I would be stupid enough not to have evidence, Ryan? I filmed you. All those times in the office when you’d trap me in the corner, when you’d make those innuendos that you thought were so clever. The times that you stared down my chest. And now we have camera evidence of you sitting in your car outside my house. You might think that no one in the police force cares about me, but you’d be wrong. I have friends. And they won’t like what you’ve been doing, Ryan. Neither will your friends at the country club. Or should I say your mom’s friends?”
“You. Bitch,” Ryan spat out. “Why should I believe that these videos even exist?”
“Oh, I’d be happy to send them to you. Copies of them.”
“That . . . that still doesn’t mean that he can assault me and get away with it!” Ryan pointed at Matthieu.
“What are you talking about?” she said. “No one has assaulted you. Well, someone might have. But it wasn’t Matthieu. He and I are in the house playing Gin Rummy.”
“What are you talking about?” Ryan yelled. “You’re right here.”
“No, we’re not.”
“There’s a camera recording us.”
She snorted. “Is there? I’m pretty sure we can get rid of the last few minutes. Loop it or something. I’m no tech expert, but I know some people who can do that.”
“There are witnesses. There have to be witnesses!” Ryan stood and looked around frantically.
Matthieu smirked.
“Witnesses?” Maya cried. “In this neighborhood? You have to be kidding me? The pope could ride through on his pope car and everyone would deny it. There are no witnesses here. So make one complaint about Matthieu and you are going down.”
“Go inside now, Maya. And make sure you put some socks on your feet to warm them up.”
He could feel her watching him. But he didn’t turn.
“Maya. Now.”
There was a huff of breath and he felt her leaving. “Listen to me, you fucking little prick. This is what is going to happen. You are going to go home and tell mommy dearest that you’re leaving town. Then you’re going to pack up your stuff and leave. And you won’t come back. You won’t try to contact or have anything to do with Maya again.”