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)
“No, he’s not back yet. I’m using one of the guards’ phones.”
“We’re getting you a new phone,” the guard informs me, making my jaw drop. “I’ve sent a man to buy one.”
“I’m getting a new phone. I’ll call you as soon as I have it,” I relay the news to Mom.
“Okay. I’ll talk to you soon, sweetheart.”
I end the call and hand the device back to the guard. He puts it in his pocket before he looks at my hand again.
When I hiss with pain, he murmurs, “Sorry.”
With the shock of the fall fading, I begin to feel uncomfortable with the guard. I recognize him from the two times I’ve seen him come into the house, but I never stuck around to talk to him.
His eyes touch on my face, then he says, “My name is Edoardo. I’m in charge of security here at the mansion.”
In other words, it’s his job to make sure I stay put and don’t escape.
Last week, I would’ve made a run for my bedroom, but I’m so freaking starved for human interaction, I remain seated on the stool, and say, “I’m Haven.”
He smiles, but it looks menacing as hell. “You don’t have to hide when I come into the house.”
A very uncomfortable silence falls between us, and the minutes feel torturously long.
Edoardo’s phone rings, and he quickly answers. I hear Leo’s voice again, and suddenly the urge to talk to him strikes.
Nope. He’s responsible for the hell you find yourself in.
Anger rears up in my chest, but every time I hear the timbre of his voice, the urge grows.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask Edoardo if I can speak to Leo, but thankfully, he ends the call, and the urge passes.
Other voices come from the direction of the front door, and I glance over my shoulder.
“The doctor is here,” Edoardo informs me.
A man carrying a black bag comes rushing in. He talks to Edoardo while he sets the bag down on the island. Opening it, he removes antiseptic wipes, an injection, and a small vial.
“Hello, Mrs. Toscano,” the doctor greets me. “I’m going to tend to your hand.”
I almost tell him I’m not Mrs. Toscano, but end up replying, “Okay. Thanks.”
“This will hurt,” he informs me as he starts to clean my palm. “Are you allergic to anything?”
“No,” I mutter before sharp bolts of pain shoot through my hand and wrist, making me clench my jaw.
Turning my head away, I stare at one of the cupboards.
“I’m giving you an injection for pain because you need stitches.”
I nod and brace for the sharp prick.
God!
The injection makes the pain worse before it starts to fade.
I keep staring at the cupboard while the doctor works on my hand, and after a few minutes, he says, “It looks like you sprained your wrist.”
“Are you sure?” Edoardo asks.
I look at my hand and see the cut is two inches long. The sight of the stitches makes my stomach feel queasy, and I glance away again.
Holy crap. No wonder it hurts so much.
“Don’t use your left hand for anything, and keep it as still as possible,” the doctor instructs as he wraps a bandage around my palm. “I’ll give you painkillers. Take two every six hours or as needed for pain.”
I’m guessing the doctor is on Leo’s payroll, but it doesn’t stop me from being polite. “Thank you for taking care of my hand.”
“You’re welcome, Mrs. Toscano.” He looks at Edoardo and switches over to Italian.
The men walk out of the kitchen, and it has me slipping off the stool. I cradle my left hand against my chest as I pick up the box of painkillers.
Wait. I can’t go to my room yet.
I walk to the doorway between the kitchen and foyer and watch as Edoardo lets the doctor out of the mansion.
When the guard turns around, I ask, “Do you know how long it will take to get the new phone?”
He checks the time on his watch. “Probably another thirty minutes.” He gestures to the staircase. “If you want to go rest, you can. I’ll bring the phone to you when it arrives.”
Not wanting him near my bedroom, I shake my head and walk to the living room. I sit down on the nearest couch and glance at the rain pelting the windows.
As the sound of the storm fills the air, the crushing loneliness that’s been torturing me for the past two weeks settles heavy in my heart.
God. I just want to see Mom.
When a tear escapes, I turn my head toward the window so the guard won’t see I’m crying.
Chapter 14
LEO
I’ve only been on the island for four days when the call comes through that Haven got hurt.
After losing my shit with Edoardo, I walk to the living room where Massimo is watching TV.
“Why were you shouting?” he asks when he sees me.