Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 127249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127249 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Sav gives me a knowing smile. “What about Lee? You haven’t mentioned him once. Or did this become about Tatiana somewhere along the lines?”
“This is still every bit about Lee.” I pick up my glass again and swirl the liquor. “But you’re right. My priorities may have shifted.”
He downs his drink and stands. “I hate to break it to you, my friend, but your priority has never changed.” Drumming his fingers on the tabletop, he continues. “And maybe it’s time she knows that.”
Leaving me with that, he walks from the room.
Chapter
Forty-Five
Tatiana
* * *
Once again, there’s a little welcome party for me when Dante brings me home from the hospital. All my favorite people are there—Noah, Jazz, and Emily. Reino and Ulysses pop in, as well as a few of Dante’s men, especially the ones who often play soccer with Noah. Seeing that the atmosphere between Reino and Jazz is still tense, the men don’t linger.
Emily baked my favorite cheesecake. Dante didn’t want to have a lunch that would’ve lasted too long and tired me, so he instructed Emily to prepare something for teatime.
Mobility is still difficult, but I’m walking on my own. I rejected Dante’s suggestion to employ a nurse. It’s not necessary. I just have to take things a bit slower until I’m back to being my old self.
Noah doesn’t leave my side for a minute. He brought his dinosaur to visit me in the hospital. Now, it’s sitting on one of the dining room chairs, and Noah is showing me the get-well-soon picture he drew for me. Probably picking up on the excitement, Flash looks on with a wagging tail.
Noah only stops talking when Emily cuts the cake and serves him a slice. My heart melts when I watch him with all that cake smeared around his mouth. It reminds me so much of the time Dante took us to the restaurant in Denver, and Noah had a waffle for dessert.
Dante hovers like a possessive bull around me, ordering me to sit down and making me promise to tell him when I want to rest.
Jazz finally manages to steal me away when Dante takes Noah upstairs to help him with his bath. As it’s cold outside, we sit down on the sofa in the lounge. Jazz folds one leg underneath her and rests her elbow on the backrest.
She gives me a piercing look. “How are you doing?”
“My wound still bothers me a bit, but it’s getting better every day.”
Her blue eyes soften. “I wasn’t referring to your physical wellbeing.” She adds with a smile, “Well, not only.”
I wish I could tell her everything. It’s probably best that as little people as possible know about the necklace. Dante didn’t say so outright when he visited me in the hospital because the police hung around more or less constantly after questioning me, but I know he reclaimed it. A new calmness had come over him when he returned to see me, only to be replaced with deep concern about my recovery. I guess that was his guilt talking again, which came as a surprise. I never thought Dante was capable of feeling guilt.
I push a cushion behind my back, flinching from the sharp pain that stabs into my side when I shift into a more comfortable position. “I’m okay with the memories. Dante told you, right? I suppose I’m finally dealing with everything that happened.”
“What about Dante?” she asks in a gentle tone. “He’s been out of his mind with worry these last few days. I’ve never seen him so worked up.”
I cup her hand. “Thanks for dropping in here so often. Dante told me you were a great help with Noah. I really appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it. You know I love that kid like my own.” Tears well up in her eyes. “I was every bit as worried as Dante, Tiana. I was so angry at him for letting this happen to you.”
I give a small smile. “It wasn’t his fault. He tried to protect me, and he did save my life.”
“Your life shouldn’t have been in danger in the first place.”
My chuckle is wry. “That’s the choice I made when I decided to be with him.”
She searches my eyes. “Do you? Do you still want to be with him?”
Taking a deep breath, I admit with a shaky exhale, “I think it’s time I put myself first for a change.”
“These last few weeks…” She hesitates. “I know you didn’t remember everything that had happened, but I thought things were changing. I thought Dante was making an effort.”
For the necklace, yes. For me? I’m not so sure.
“Tiana, you know me. After everything Dante has done, I’ve never been his greatest fan. I thought he only wanted power and money. But he gave you the company, and he seems so set on helping you succeed with your own startup. Surely, that means something?”