Page 139 of Criminally Yours

Millie tripped as they climbed up the hill above the sea, her feet scrambling for purchase.

“Why do you want me dead? You could have escaped sooner.” No one knew where she was. Strike wouldn’t worry about her for another hour. Her freedom was down to her and her ability to persuade Randolph to ditch his plans.

“If it hadn’t been for you and Hugo, my business dealings would have gone unnoticed. But he’ll sell me out. And my head of the police wife won’t stand by me anymore. She turned a blind eye to my corruption, but when it comes out, she’ll be the first to lock me up. If you’d kept your fucking mouth shut and taken the money, none of this would have happened.”

He pulled her close to his face.

His stare flitted between her and the sky.

He reeked of alcohol, and his pupils were massive. “I couldn’t trust my son to get rid of you yesterday. As usual, the only person I can rely on is me.”

“You’re the one who shot at the car outside of the police station,” she said, searching for an escape. With Randolph as high as his son, negotiation was pointless.

“No shit.” He sneered and shoved his finger in her face, letting go of her. “You thought Hugo, with his cocaine shakes, could have done that? You’re a bunch of fucking amateurs. That snivelling shit couldn’t shoot a rat if his life depended on it.”

“You could’ve been caught.” She looked over his shoulder. There was a path higher up the cliff. She had no idea where it led, but the tide was coming in below, and swimming in the high waves and unpredictable swells could kill her.

“I wanted to watch you bleed. My wife would have madesure that the video ‘went missing,’ and I’d have sent Hugo away.”

“You knew the lawyer. He told you when we’d be at the police station.”

“He’s part of a firm helping me with my affairs.”

“Politician speak for hiding your fraud?”

He snarled at her. “We see the world differently, little girl. But he was willing to help me because, with the right amount of money, everyone can be bought.” He ground his teeth. “Nearly everyone.”

He continued to ramble about paying off different people and his plans to get her to his house.

Millie inched to the right so she was on the side of the cliff.

She wobbled, holding her breath, blood roaring in her ears, as she stared into the inky depths below.

CHAPTER 59

Strike

Strike chuckled as he carried Millie’s box of fifteen books and packed them in the car.

One day, he’d fill their house with bookcases and a book nook where she could read her spicy books in peace. Then he’d make her act out her favourite scenes with him.

His phone vibrated. Hopefully, it was Millie calling to describe each cake in detail so he could tell her to buy them all.

He opened his BaseballManUK socials account to a friend request from Rylee.

His curiosity was piqued. He hadn’t visited his book account since Millie returned to him.

Within seconds of accepting it, a message hit his inbox.

Rylee: Millie told me you’re her bodyguard boyfriend. I chatted with her while she was on the beach nearing town. This guy came up behind her. I got a screenshot as the call ended.

Beneath the message was a photo.

Strike stared at a terrified Millie withRandolph behind her. His instincts were right. Hugo’s arrest hadn’t been the end of it.

Strike: I’ll rescue her.

Strike grabbed his taser, and ran from the house toward where the photo was taken.