Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
The warehouse is eerily silent. A part of me wants to check on Camille, but she can handle herself. I look down to where the ground is muddy from last night’s rain and see no telling footprints but ours, and we’re secluded enough that no one would’ve made it here without a car or some mode of transportation.
Then why do my instincts scream at me to go?
Why do I want to toss my body over Cosette’s and protect her from whatever or whoever would threaten her safety and the safety of our unborn baby?
I trust her. I know I do.
What is it that I don’t trust?
No one’s here. Still, I slide into the driver’s seat and turn the key in the ignition quickly. I want to get the hell out of here.
“I was telling you about my abduction,” I continue, once our doors are shut and locked.
“Everything okay?” Cosette asks.
“I think so.” I still can’t shake that feeling. “Why?”
“You look guarded. I saw you draw your weapon.”
“It feels like someone’s watching us.”
She’s quiet as I peel down the road, dust kicking up behind us. A part of me wants to take her to America, to a place that’s safe and away from all of this until it all blows over. The other part of me wants to arm myself to the teeth and start picking off would-be enemies one by one until there’s no one left to threaten us.
Neither is an option.
“Do you feel like that often?” Cosette asks. “Like someone’s watching you?”
I sigh. “I do.”
Anyone who’s looked down the barrel of a sniper’s rifle with the intent to kill as many times as I have develops that skill. Once you’ve been the predator enough times, you begin to imagine there’s a larger predator with even bigger teeth threatening your survival.
“What are you thinking?” I ask Cosette. She seems pensive and troubled.
“I liked that your mother was so excited. She’ll be an awesome grandmother.”
“Yes.”
“I’m happy I was able to make peace with Savannah. I like her a lot.”
“I agree.”
“And Mario seems pleasant enough, but Sergio… I don’t know about him.”
“He’s dangerous as fuck. I don’t want you near him unless you’re with me.”
She nods. I know Sergio Montavio and I know I don’t want her anywhere near him.
“Those kids were adorable.”
“Mmm.”
My responses are getting shorter because I feel like she’s leading up to something and I want her to get to it. She looks out the window at the passing hills and trees studded with vibrant green leaves. I think about what I’ll do with her when we’re alone later. How beautiful she was when we made love this morning, and how gorgeous she will be as her body accommodates our growing child.
I reach for her hand. She doesn’t take it at first, and I wonder why.
“I don’t know,” she says softly. “You guys are all so… charming and suave. You turn the heads of every woman you pass.”
“Eh,” I say with a shrug. “They know we’re filthy rich.”
I love the sound of her soft laugh. “It isn’t just that. Not every woman is into money.”
I shrug. “Maybe not all.”
“I just… well, men like you are known for taking mistresses. Of not being faithful. They consider infidelity an acceptable part of their code.”
“Men like me?” I ask, my voice harsh.
“Yeah, Lyam. Mobsters. Men in the mafia. Made men. Do your friends the Rossis cheat on their wives?”
“No.”
“What about the Montavios? I know for a fact that some of them do, the girls talked about it.”
“I don’t know about Sergio or Timeo, and those are the only ones I know.”
“So with all those gorgeous women ready to do whatever you tell them, how do you plan on staying exclusive? When it gets hard. When the baby wakes up at night wanting to be fed or when someone says something to one of our children, or one of our staff disrespects me.”
“You know exactly what I’ll do,” I respond through gritted teeth. “If we need help, I’ll hire them. I’ll buy you what you need.”
“But our child, Lyam.”
“Right. Our child is going to be perfectly fine.”
“Why?”
“Because unconventional as we might be, we love each other. No matter what happens, we’re loyal and faithful. And that child will be so, so loved.”
She swipes at her eyes and nods her head.
“Thank you.”
She doesn’t seem convinced, though, and I don’t know why. I spoke the truth to her. I told her what’s on my mind and in my heart and how I feel. And in turn, she seems more distant. Cold, even.
Why?
Is she battling a struggle all her own she hasn’t shared with me?
I imagine she’s battling lots of things she hasn’t shared with me.
I watch Cosette’s shoulders rise while she takes in a breath. We’re almost back.
“Lyam.” Cosette’s voice trembles when she looks at me. I don’t know if she’s afraid or concerned or what, but I want to get her back to safety and privacy.