Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 48585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 12
VALENTINA
In the morning, Luc offers me the chance to visit Isla at the private dance theatre that Vincent created for her in the hotel. There’s even a new camera waiting for me on the counter of the hotel suite when I leave my bedroom to make some breakfast. He says that it’s because he and Vincent still need to work out the arrangements of how I will travel to whatever secret location it is they are sending me to. The gift of a camera and the opportunity to spend a few hours watching my friend dance makes it seem more like he’s trying to make up for my unhappiness with a token gesture to serve as an apology on his behalf.
I don’t like it when things feel “off” between us. Being upset with Luc doesn’t feel right. But I don’t know how to stop being upset about the fact that he’s sending me away, especially when he won’t even tell me where I’m going. He knows how much it upsets me to feel like other people are pulling the strings of my life. I hate feeling powerless.
“Look at it this way,” Luc says, mustering up a smile as he walks me down to Isla’s dance studio. “At least you’ll be able to get out of the hotel suite now for a little while.”
“Yeah, I suppose,” I sigh as I mumble under my breath. “Trading one prison for another again, and this time I get to go back to being all alone in my cage.”
I can tell that Luc heard me even though I mumbled it, because there’s a pained look on his face, as if that comparison stung him. I’m not trying to hurt him at all. I’m just frustrated about being sent away, as if he doesn’t want me here anymore. Although I know he’s trying to keep me safe, I still don’t understand why I can’t stay with him and be safe.
Isla’s bright smile greets us as soon as we walk inside the theater.
“You two enjoy your morning together,” Luc says before he leaves. He glances at me as I sit down on the edge of the stage and set my camera on the dance floor beside me. “I’ll be back this afternoon to collect you.”
Collect me—I huff and roll my eyes because it makes it sound like I’m a “thing” to be collected instead of a living, breathing person with agency. It isn’t at all how I felt before when it seemed as if Luciano and I were equal partners. Now, it feels like I’m alone again, and this time it feels even worse because I don’t want to be apart from Luc. It was different with Leonardo—I was glad when he wasn’t around, even if it meant that I was alone. But now, every time I think about being away from where Luc is, it feels like a shot of piercing cold straight to my chest. I don’t even say anything before he leaves. I just pretend I’m adjusting my camera lens until he’s gone.
“That’s quite the cold shoulder you’re giving him,” Isla says gently as she walks toward me, preparing to sit and talk for a while. But I’m not ready to talk, not yet.
“Can I take some photos of you dancing?” I ask to steer away from starting a deep conversation until I’ve had a moment to collect my thoughts.
“Sure,” she smiles, immediately picking up on my cue and giving me some space and time. “I have a new routine to practice. I’d actually like some photos of it to add to my dance portfolio.”
“Well, I’m not a professional photographer, but I’ll do my best,” I chuckle as I look through the lens at her.
“I’m sure they’ll be wonderful. Besides, maybe you should pursue your photography professionally instead of just dabbling in it as a hobby. You love it, and it would probably be a brilliant career to balance motherhood with.”
I look at her with wide eyes. I've been meaning to tell Isla about my pregnancy, but there just hasn’t been the chance to do it in person yet.
“Sorry,” she smiles. “Vincent told me. I think Luc mentioned it to him, and, well, you know how word travels.”
“I’m not upset,” I say. “I was getting ready to tell you, and now I’m glad that you know so that I can talk to you about something. I still don’t know how Leonardo found out. It’s rather unsettling.”
“Yeah, agreed. That part is a mystery. But one thing I’ve learned about being in a mafia family is that everything has eyes and ears. Nothing stays a secret for long in this world.”
As Isla dances, I’m almost instantly mesmerized. She is such a graceful dancer. Each of her motions is like poetry in movement form. She makes it easy to take excellent pictures because each dance move is akin to a perfect pose for the camera. For a while, I sit and watch in awe, snapping photos and thinking about how happy Isla looks as she dances across the stage in her own personal theatre.