Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“You knew, didn’t you?” Her voice is very small, but the anger is crisp and clear. “That’s why you’ve been watching me. That first attack. They were coming for me from the start, weren’t they?”
My fists clench. Fuck, she’s smart. “We caught one of the men who was there that night and interrogated him. He said his crew was hired to kill you.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“There was no reason to scare you.”
“You asshole. I could’ve prepared myself! I could’ve, I don’t know, carried a gun with me or something.”
“Do you know how to shoot?”
“I mean, not well, but—”
“Could you have fought that man off if you had known? Would it have made any difference? I told your brother, but he didn’t take it seriously. I was the only one that cared enough to make sure you were safe. I spent the last two weeks watching you around the clock—me and my crew.”
She’s quiet. I hear her splashing around. I keep my back turned until the towel rack creaks.
When I glance in the mirror, she’s covered with a little twisted knot above her breasts.
And god, I don’t think I’ve seen perfection until this moment.
“You should have told me.”
“I did what I thought was right.”
“I’m not some toy, Luca. You know that, right? I’m a person. I deserve to have a say in how my life goes.”
“I know that, but things aren’t so simple all the time.”
“That’s a great excuse.”
I start to leave the bathroom. Before I go, I glance back over my shoulder. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
“For what? For barging in on me while I was taking a bath?”
I shake my head. “No, darling. For saving your life.”
Her face twitches. Guilt flashes in her eyes for a brief moment. “Okay, I do appreciate that part.”
“There’s a guest room here.” I point at the door on my left. “I have a clean robe in the closet. I’ll bring you clothes shortly.”
She sucks in a shuddering breath. I have to remember that she’s dealing with her trauma right now, and dropping the wedding on her only compounds everything. I can be patient for her. I have to be patient.
Right now, she’s the only thing that matters.
“Don’t try to sneak into my room in the middle of the night,” she says sharply as I start to walk away. “I’m not going to thank you with—you know—every time you save my life.”
“That’s alright. I’ll keep risking my own neck in case you decide to change your mind.”
She growls with frustration, and I’m smiling as I go find some reasonable clothes for her to wear.
Chapter 10
Fiorella
I’ve never woken up in a stranger’s bed before.
This one’s empty, which is good. I stretch my legs and roll onto my side. Unfamiliar light filters through a window I’ve never seen before. Am I seriously in Luca’s house right now? With that strange, terrifying man not all that far away?
I sit on the edge of the bed and lean forward, shoulders hunched. I’m exhausted. I barely slept. Bad dreams kept me up half the night. Bodies, screams for help, a black void with sharp fingers trying to choke me to death. I touch the bruises along my neck and take a few deep breaths to calm myself.
Growing up in the Serrano Famiglia wasn’t always easy. My father made it clear that I’d be a target most of my life. I went to expensive private schools and was shunned by most of the other rich girls. The few friends I managed to make were all part of their own crime enclaves, but those relationships never lasted long. Even when the city’s at peace, each little Famiglia is constantly rubbing up against all the others, and it’s hard to cross those lines. Friendship is rarely enough.
Marriage though? Maybe marriage is the exception to that rule.
Not that I want to find out.
I stand unsteadily. I’m lightheaded and hungry. Luca’s clothes hang off my body: a pair of rolled running shorts and the smallest t-shirt he owns, still a couple sizes too large. I feel like I’m swimming in his things. I breathe in the smell and smile to myself. Soap and a hint of him.
After using the attached bathroom, I decide I’d better find something for breakfast. Otherwise, I’m going to be crabby all day, but I have a feeling I’ll need my strength.
Especially on my wedding day.
I open the door and release a scream loud enough to hurt my throat.
A corpse is sitting across the hall. He’s slumped over slightly. A gun lies in his lap. His neck is turned sideways, and he’s not moving.
Until the corpse is suddenly up on its feet, gun raised, sharp eyes roaming the otherwise empty hallway for threats.
Luca stares at me on high alert, breath coming quick.
“What’s going on?” he snaps, storming forward. I yelp and scramble away, but he grabs me and pulls me protectively against him. “Are you okay?”