Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 18308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 73(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 73(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
Rosé.
Chapter Seven
A RUSSIAN HEIRESS.
Niccolò's stalker.
Restraining order.
And that was just the tip of the iceberg. There were so many other crazy things that Anya was guilty of, she could barely wrap her head around it. But most of all—
“She’s thirty-seven? Seriously?”
Niccolò stared at her. “I just told you all the insane stuff that she did, and the first thing that concerns you is her age?"
Right, right.
“I’m sorry. I know I should get my priorities straight, but can I just ask one thing? Do you have any idea what her skincare—”
Okay, she really needed to change the subject with the way her boss was glaring at her.
“So, um, where were we again?”
“Are you sure Anya still hasn’t tried to harm you in any way?”
Well...
The first time, Eric told her that he had gotten the idea about killing Payton for money from Rosé—no, wait, it was Anya—and then the second time, Rosé—no, Anya!—herself was the one who killed Payton, and the third time...
The person who had rammed into Niccolò’s car with suicidal force...
That was definitely Anya.
But since all of those things happened in her previous rebirths—
“No,” Payton said finally. “Not that I know of at least.”
“Unfortunately...” Niccolò’s lips tightened. “I don’t think it will stay that way for long.”
Payton slowly nodded. “I know.”
He checked his watch. And then he looked at her. “It’s getting late. Are you sure you’re okay with being alone here?”
No.
Not at all.
Not when she knew this was her last life ever.
But since she was done being afraid—
“Let’s finish this together, Mr. de Vindice.”
A ghost of a smile touched his lips, and Payton had to take a deep breath because even now...it still didn’t feel right to let herself think this man was beautiful in any way.
“I still don’t have a chance with you,” he murmured. “Do I?”
Maybe...maybe if she wasn’t down to her last life, she would have answered differently.
But because God was the very reason Niccolò had been reborn...
“I’m married,” she whispered.
And Niccolò...
Instead of arguing with her and reminding her of what an awful husband Eric was...
“I think that’s what made me fall in love with you the first time.”
I don’t want to cry.
“You’re still the loveliest...”
Please.
“Sweetest...”
Someone stop me from crying.
“Idiot I’ve ever met.”
And just like that, she ended up laughing instead.
Because Niccolò...
How did he do it?
How was he so good at knowing...and giving her what she needed?
How was it possible...when she didn’t even have to say a word?
"Do you remember the psych test you had to take when you applied for a job?”
Payton’s brows furrowed. Fairscale had made her take so many tests during the application process that she honestly couldn’t remember—
“Does ‘survival of the fittest’ ring a bell?”
Oh, that one!
“I think I flunked that—”
“Actually...”
Her eyes widened. Was he going to say she had passed that test?
“You had the lowest score.”
Okaaay.
"You could've just said yes, but, um, thanks for being specific?”
“The test was administered to weed out potential stalkers and anyone else who might have a similar psych profile to Anya’s."
Well, maybe having the lowest score wasn’t that bad, after all.
“Do you know what that means, Payton?”
“I’m...a good person?”
“You don’t have what it takes to kill someone.”
“So...a really good person then?”
"Instead, you're most likely the person to get killed first."
Well...
Okay...
“That sucks,” she blurted out.
His lips curved. “Does it?”
“You don’t understand.” She had already died. Thrice! “I—”
“You’re Anya’s opposite.”
“Yes, but—” She also didn’t want to die for the fourth and last time.
“It means you’re the most honorable. And the most selfless.”
Oh.
She finally got what he was saying.
The reason he had fallen in love with her.
Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.
And so she cleared her throat several times until she regained control of her emotions, and she was able to look into his eyes and say...
“You’re...honorable, too.”
“I know.”
A shaken laugh escaped her, but when she saw him lift his hand, she couldn’t help tensing up—
“Take care of yourself, Payton.”
Niccolò ruffled her hair like she was a kid, and then he was stepping out of her suite and closing the door behind him.
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
This was how it should be.
Breathe, Payton. Breathe.
She wasn’t sure how much time had passed before she stepped out of her room. She just needed to go somewhere to distract herself. And so she took the elevator to the lobby. Walked around aimlessly without really seeing anything. She kept walking until her heart had stopped hurting, but just when she was about to take the elevator back to her suite—
There it was.
A gun pointed at her back.
Finally.
“I think it’s time we have a little talk, Mrs. Cheyney.”
Anya had finally made her move.
“R-Rosé? Is that you?”
Payton’s voice was shaking, and it was all part of the plan.
Let me get this straight, Niccolò had said earlier. You want me to stay in your room long enough for Anya to think something happened between us.
Yes.
You think she’s watching us right now.