Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
When lunch time comes and goes, and Leo doesn’t come to knock on my door, I decide to take a relaxing bath.
Heading to the bathroom, I open the faucets before looking at the products on the counter. I pick up the bottle of bath oil and sniff it. It smells like some kind of expensive perfume.
I pour a few drops into the tub and wait until there’s enough water and the temperature is the way I like it before I switch off the faucets.
I grab clean underwear, a pair of leggings, and an oversized T-shirt, wanting to cover as much skin as possible.
Gathering my phone and Kindle, I walk back to the bathroom and lock the door behind me.
I set my clothes down on the counter and the devices on the floor beside the tub.
While I put my hair up in a messy bun, my thoughts fill with everything that’s happened since Leo barged into my life and kidnapped me.
Unlike the past two days, there’s no wave of shock, which must mean I’m getting used to the trauma.
I strip out of my clothes and climb into the tub. Determined to lose myself in a book, I pick up my Kindle and lie back. I look through the small town romances and pick one that has good reviews, noting it’s a light and funny read.
After everything Leo has put me through, I’ll never read anything remotely dark again.
I force myself to focus as I start with chapter one, but every few minutes, the hell I’m stuck in pops into my mind like a creepy Jack-in-the-box.
I can’t believe he made me marry him. He said ‘I do’ so easily.
Why? What the hell is it about me that caught his attention?
Was it love at first sight?
I let out a disgruntled snort and mumble, “Yeah, right.”
A beep from beside the tub draws my attention, and I set the Kindle down before picking up my phone.
Kristen: You’ve been quiet. How are things with your family? Any idea when you’re coming home?
I might never go home to Whitefish again.
My heart clenches as I contemplate what to say to my best friend.
Haven: Things are a shit show this side. I can’t talk about it yet, but I have a huge favor to ask.
Kristen: Oh no! I’m so sorry. What can I do to help?
Haven: If we’re not back by the end of the month, can you pack all our belongings and put them into storage? I don’t want the landlord to throw everything out.
Kristen: What the hell? Is there really a chance you won’t come back? How long will you stay in Italy then?
Haven: I don’t know.
Kristen: That’s insane! How am I supposed to survive without you for so long?
My chin begins to quiver, and a lump forms in my throat.
Haven: I miss you so much. I wish we never took this trip. It’s awful.
Kristen: I miss you too. I’m crying my eyes out. At most, you can only stay in Italy for three months. You’ll come back before then, right?
I want to keep Kristen safe, so it has me typing out another lie.
Haven: I don’t know. We might get another visa. I have no idea how things work here.
Kristen: Nooooo. That sucks. You can’t stay there longer than three months. I swear I’ll get on a plane and bring your ass home.
Knowing she doesn’t have enough money for international travel, I don’t worry about her threat. Instead, it warms my heart.
Haven: Yeah, you can kick everyone’s asses and save me. LOL.
Kristen: Well, while you’re stuck there, I discovered a new mafia author. Natalie Kane. I read the sample, and it’s freaking good. We can do a long-distance buddy read.
Oh hell no.
God, Kristen’s going to lose her mind when she finds out I was forced to marry a mafia boss.
Haven: I just started a small town romance. I’m in the mood for light books.
Kristen: Okay. I’m going to read the mafia romance, though. I’ll let you know what I think of it once I’m done.
The water starts to grow cold, and it has me saying goodbye.
Haven: I have to go. Love you!
Kristen: Love you too.
I set the phone down on the floor beside the tub and quickly wash myself before climbing out.
I dry off, and after getting dressed, I grab the box of salted crackers and a soda, then head out onto the balcony to sit by the table.
Time crawls by, and when the sun begins to set, I frown, realizing Leo didn’t call me for lunch or supper.
Is he ignoring me?
Not that I’m complaining that he’s leaving me alone, but I’m hungry for actual food.
I stand up and glance down at the veranda. Not seeing any light spilling from the living room, I wonder if Leo’s still away for work.
I walk into my bedroom, and leaning over the dressing table, I press my ear to the door. When I don’t hear anything, I let out a sigh and struggle to push the table out of the way.