Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94686 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94686 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Although we didn’t have time to see the Coliseum, Chase made sure to find a high-end spot that gave me a view of that big arena all lit up in gold and radiating history.
What an amazing thing to behold.
It stood hundreds of feet in the air. Chase declared that it could hold over 50,000 spectators. I believed him. It was a giant of proportions all created from sandy brown stone and the blood-mingled sweat of hundreds—three stories of arched entrances and semicircular columns holding them up. Men and animals had died there, thousands of them. People had sat there—from royalty to slaves. They partied there and watched the life leave many victims’ eyes and clapped away with joy. I bet not all of them loved to see people die. Such a dark part of humanity’s history, yet one that should be remembered if only to not do it again.
I wonder if one of Chase’s sick ex-girlfriends is clapping right now? Which one of you is delighted to be in Italy to watch the life leave my eyes?
I turned away from that captivating view and returned to staring at Chase.
He sat right next to me, claiming that putting a table between us was too much space. Vivian stuck her finger in her mouth and mimicked vomiting. I knew he was just coddling me, making sure that I wouldn’t go crazy.
Too bad you can’t control everything, Chase. I am going crazy, whether you sit across or right next to me. We should be in Atrani, not freaking Rome.
My nerves flared within me. My heart beats had increased since he gave me the news.
You want me, bitches? Then come get me. I paused for a minute and bit my lip. Just come get me when the lights are on, and not with a gun. . .or weapon. . .maybe it is good that I am here.
“What’s on your mind?” Chase asked when Vivian got up to go to the bathroom.
“Nothing.” I stared at my plate and had no energy to touch it.
Pajata.
That’s what decorated my plate. It was an ancient Roman dish; the chef had explained. The intestines of a milk calf were washed, but not emptied. They proceeded to cook the intestines so that the heat turned the partially digested milk within them into a thick, pungent cheese-like substance. Many Romans poured pasta sauce over it, and devoured the whole dish.
All this fabulous food will now go to waste.
“Are you going to eat?” Chase leaned my way.
“I’m not hungry.”
“You’re always hungry.”
I snapped my face his way. “No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.” He pressed his full lips against mine. No sparks or electric energy came, just fear. It seeped into my pores and owned me. I’d been hiding shaking fingers under the table the whole dinner. I didn’t even want to reach for my glass and alarm Viv and Chase of the anxiety attack that was slowly unraveling my mind.
I’ll be fine. Yes, I’ll be fine. Maybe. Or not? All of the other women died. Why would I be so lucky?
Chase slid his chair closer to me, placed his hand in my lap, seized my shivering fingers, and clasped his around mine. Warmth hit me first, this soothing heat that didn’t incite hormonal hysteria, instead his touch told me that I wasn’t alone. There was nothing to fear, not with Chase around.
“Listen to me.” He lifted his hand to my chin and gently turned my face his way. “I’ve survived this long because I never want to lose. Feel safe in the idea that you and I are one union that can’t be broken or shattered by any of our enemies. I will not lose.”
“You don’t know that.”
“We’re like the Coliseum.” He gestured to my side where it towered and glowed.
“We’re a ruining monument of historical violence?”
He smirked. “We can’t be destroyed or forgotten, or abandoned or conquered. Our love is strength.”
“I’m not worried about our love being strong. I’m freaking out over a killer who thinks that my death is the answer to some evil problem in her messed-up head.”
“I will not lose.” He shook his head. “You won’t be taken from me, not when it comes to the heart or in this life. And Dawn, Wendy, and even Lucy are my enemies, because one of them shot you, and now there is no way that the other two don’t know. The news was all over Oshane. So now is the time for the innocent to separate from the guilty. Yet, they stand united, which means they will all be destroyed by my hands and Benny’s.”
I swallowed. “I thought you didn’t want Benny in this.”
“Not when I knew with all certainty that they wouldn’t be close to you, but they’re here.” He looked as if he was going to snarl. “They’re too damned close to what’s mine, so the rules of the game have changed. I’ve notified Benny that they’re heading to Atrani. It could cost all of their lives, but I don’t give a damn. In fact, if it comes to keeping you safe or. . .”