Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
“Tell me what you want,” he murmurs.
My voice is barely audible to my own ears, but when I speak, I know he hears me. “I want you.”
“Even if it ends badly?” This is the first time Nico has shown any doubt.
“Especially then.” I kiss him like an answer. “Have you found the intel your father wanted?” I ask him then, remembering the other reason he’s been here.
“I did. Having access to the whole house has helped, but Guillermo has offered his assistance and I can’t thank him enough for it.”
I smile and rest my head on Nico’s chest. For the rest of the night, we pretend we’re free.
But the pretending only lasts so long.
By the following morning, Ignacio is talking with the guards and the planners again.
Plans. Invitations. Guest lists. Security protocols.
I listen from the balcony above, unseen, trying to commit every word to memory.
“…we need more eyes on the perimeter,” Ignacio says. “I want more men brought in tonight, and since Cassio arrives tomorrow, we can all relax as he knows my bride better than I do. I trust him.”
That sends a chill down my spine.
Because if Cassio is that close with my cousin, Nico’s cover could fall apart.
Quickly. Violently.
I rush to find him before lunch, ducking into the guard’s quarters and pretending to be lost.
He finds me first.
“What are you doing here?” he hisses, pulling me into a storage alcove.
“They’re bringing in more men. And Cassio arrives tomorrow.” The panic in my voice is palpable.
His expression turns dark. “That’s sooner than I thought.”
“What do we do?”
He presses his hands against the wall on either side of me, caging me in. “You keep playing your role. Smile for him. Lie through your teeth.”
“I can do that.”
“Good. Because once we move… everything’s going to change. Guillermo and I will make this happen,” he promises.
I search his face. “Are you sure we can still do this?”
He doesn’t answer right away. Then finally he says, “I used to think people like us didn’t get happy endings.”
“And now?”
He touches my cheek. “Now I dream about them.”
The morning Cassio arrives, there’s a formal dinner. Full of glassware and silver and tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. But with him came my parents. I didn’t expect them to be here because I know my father hates leaving the organization. But they’re here, and I’ve hardly had time to talk to them.
I watch Nico from a distance as I sit beside Ignacio at the long table, smiling as required, nodding when asked. My father toasts. My mother beams.
And all I can do is act like a perfect future wife.
I catch Nico’s eyes from across the room. The rage that’s currently burning in his stare is like a dagger and it’s aimed right beside me, at the man who’s got his arm wrapped around my shoulders. He’s been pawing at me all night, and with every touch, I feel sick.
Nico’s stationed at the back wall, behind a row of serving staff. Watching everything.
Everyone.
But mostly me.
He doesn’t smile. He doesn’t nod. He just sees me. And that’s enough to ease the tension that’s currently got a hold of me.
Later, as the dinner winds down and the guests file out, I make my excuses and slip away.
Nico finds me on the second-floor balcony, where the air smells like jasmine and a storm that’s about to break outside. The scent of rain that’s heavy in the air wafts through into the mansion.
He doesn’t say anything at first. Just stands beside me, watching the garden below.
Then quietly, he says, “I know it’s getting harder. I didn’t think your parents would be here, but we have a plan to get them out of the house tomorrow.”
I nod.
“It’s almost over,” he adds. “Guillermo and I are ready.”
My heart stammers. “How soon?”
“One night. The night before you say I do.”
I swallow hard. “And we will finally be free.”
“Freedom will come at a price, my sweet girl.” He finally turns to face me.
“I know. I’m ready to pay it,” I tell him honestly. “I told you. I choose you.”
“Tell me to walk away,” he says, voice rough. “Right now. I’ll disappear. No more danger. No more lies. Just say the word.”
I stare at him.
Then shake my head.
“You wouldn’t listen.”
His lips twitch. “Probably not.”
“I’m in this with you,” I whisper. “Whatever happens.”
He leans in.
And kisses me like a vow.
One day.
That’s all the time we have left.
One more day to pretend, to play our parts.
One more day before everything burns.
Chapter 22
Lelia
As the night wears on, the storm finally breaks. Rain pounds the roof like fists. The wind howls against the glass, and thunder rolls low and deep, like a threat whispered in the dark.
I should sleep. But instead, I pace.
I keep thinking about Nico. About the way he looked at me. About how this house has eyes in every wall and how Nico is only one misstep away from being discovered.