Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“He loves me,” I whisper as I get dressed in gray slacks and a red button-down.
Once I’ve passed a flat iron through my edges, I head down to breakfast and to wait for Fredrico Sr. I didn’t think there was anything that could take the smile off my face. However, the moment I step into the kitchen and find Juliana standing in Rico’s face while he sips from a mug, I scowl so deeply my soul feels irked with the gesture.
Juliana turns to look at me. Rico winks at me over her head as she glares right in my face. My scowl softens just a bit.
“What is she doing here? She’s not coming with us, is she?” Juliana says.
“Good morning, Rico. Did someone say something?”
“Ugh, whatever. I’ll be outside. Your uncle will deal with this situation, I’m sure,” Juliana says and stomps off.
Ignoring her, I note the smile Rico has behind his mug. I continue to collect the breakfast that’s been wrapped and left in the warmer with my name on it. I smile to myself as I find the food is still perfectly warm.
Humming, I uncover the pancakes and sausage and dive in. I’m extremely hungry for some reason. Closing my eyes, I moan as I chew.
Suddenly, I feel warmth against my back. I stiffen and drop my fork and knife. My heart is racing as Rico kisses the back of my head. I open my eyes.
“Are you okay?” Rico murmurs.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Fuck, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I startled you, didn’t I?”
He moves so he’s standing beside me as he rests his backside against the island. I look into his face to find him looking back at me with concern in his eyes. I reach to place my hand against his stomach and shake my head.
“It’s okay. The only way to move forward is to move through.”
“I don’t think it works that way, baby,” he says with sad eyes.
“For this, it has to. I promise, I’ll be fine.”
He shakes his head. “You’re amazing. I want to wrap you up and protect you, but you keep popping out of the box where you’re supposed to be safe.”
“I’m cool,” I say around a forkful of food. “Do you know where your father is taking me?”
Rico groans. “We’ve been summoned. Uncle Emilio has asked that we all appear at his place this morning.”
“Her included?” I ask, pointing in the direction Juliana went.
“Yup, her included.” He gives a smirk and leans in to kiss my forehead. “Before you start to buck, I think this meeting will clear some things up.”
“What makes you say that?”
“All of my uncle’s games have a point to them. Everyone will learn from them, someone will pay the price for them, and someone will elevate from them. Never fails, that’s how he works.”
“Do you have any idea who is who this time?”
“After what I’ve learned this morning, I think I might.” He shrugs.
“Ah, you are both here. Let’s get moving. I have shit to do. I’m too old to be getting called to the principal’s office,” Fredrico Sr. grumbles as he claps his hands for us to get moving.
I try not to laugh at his last comment. However, I sober up as I get the feeling my actions at the pool party set some things in motion. I get the feeling that’s what Rico just left out of what he said because there were holes in his words.
Something I’m learning to detect more easily the more I’m around him. With Rico, it’s more of a hear what I don’t say type of situation. There is a lot in what he doesn’t say.
We walk out of the kitchen and find the cousins and Mario all waiting at the front of the house. We all climb into the awaiting cars. I get into the SUV with Emilia, Ed, and Al. Rico climbs into the car with his dad and Juliana.
As I stare out of the window, it keeps nagging at me that I know her from somewhere. The feeling is so much stronger today. It’s like it’s right there on the tip of my tongue.
I frown as she flips her hair and looks back at Rico. It’s in the way she looks back up at him. Something clicks in my mind and my frown deepens.
A name comes to mind and recognition hits. I know exactly where I know her from. My mouth falls open as the memory comes to mind.
“This is rich,” I mutter to myself.
“What’s that?” Emilia says from beside me.
“Nothing. Hey, can I ask you a question?”
I remember her saying she knows things because people talk around her like she’s not there. I get that a lot around here, so I’m hoping in this case she can shed a little light for me.
“Yeah, sure. What’s up?”
“How long has the engagement been a thing?”