Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 82094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“But why are they knocking on my door? I don’t have any money to give them.”
“You’re low-hanging fruit. They can’t mess with your grandfather since he’s at the manor and protected, but here you are in this little shitty apartment—”
“It’s not shitty,” I say indignantly and Cassidy gives him a hard glare.
“—And there’s nobody keeping you safe. Shitty or not, that isn’t the point. You’re unprotected here.”
“What am I supposed to do then?”
He stares at me for a long moment before coming to a decision. “You’ll come stay in the hotel with me for tonight.”
I burst out laughing. It’s like this day can’t get any worse. I thought I was having some final hours with Cassidy, we’d pack together, watch a movie, make dinner, drink some wine, get really freaking drunk to numb the pain, and now he wants me to leave early.
All because of my father.
Everything goes back to what Daddy did.
Carmine stares at me, not smiling. When I get control of myself, I shake my head. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You don’t have a choice,” he says calmly. “You want to get killed? Then sure, go ahead, stay here. Let Panagos send more guys over and see how forgiving they are. Maybe you can show them your bank account and they’ll decide to shoot you in the head and make it quick instead of ripping out your fingernails one by one while they violate you sexually.”
“Stop it,” I say sharply. “You’re being disgusting.”
“I’m being honest. You need to fucking hear this, Brice. You think the Panagos don’t do that shit to women? They do fucking worse.” He glares at me, seething. “You will pack your things. You will come with me. And I’m not standing here and arguing anymore.” He throws back his wine, finishing it off, and holds the glass so hard I’m afraid it might crack.
I sit there and stare at him. Anger rolls through me. What did I expect would happen when I called him? I don’t know, maybe I wanted him to make me feel better, to reassure to me, to do something to keep me safe—something that didn’t involve dragging me to his hotel. Instead, he’s being a demanding prick like always, and I’m left running after him, obeying all his orders because this mafia Don jerk is used to getting his way. He hasn’t asked if I’m okay or really shown any interest in my emotional state; the only thing he’s doing is glaring and barking orders and acting like the world’s about to end.
I’m already sick of being his wife, and we’re not even married.
“Sweetie,” Cassidy says and puts a hand on my shoulder. “I think you should go.”
“You’re both coming,” he says sharply.
I blink at him in surprise. “Why her? They don’t want her.”
“I’m not about to let them use her as leverage against you. I’ll pay for the rooms.” He turns away and walks to the door. “Ten minutes. Pack up. Then we’re going.”
“How long are we staying?” I ask.
“You and I will stay tonight and move into the house tomorrow,” he says. “Cassidy, you can come back here whenever you feel comfortable, but I recommend staying in the hotel for as long as you can. I’ll be happy to pay for it.”
“Sure, Carmine,” she says and slowly gets up. “Can’t turn down a free room.”
I stare at her, not believing any of this. “You’re seriously going to the hotel with him?”
“Sweetie, if he says it’s safer there, maybe we should listen. I feel like he knows more about this stuff than we do.”
“All because some guy knocked? We’re leaving early and going to a hotel with him?”
“You say that like he’s a stranger. Brice, we’re going to a hotel with your fiancé, and you’re the one that called him, remember?”
I grind my jaw. I know she’s right. This isn’t that crazy—Carmine’s just doing what he thinks is right. He’s trying to keep me safe and I have to respect that.
But it’s the way he came in here making demands and not asking questions that’s driving me crazy. I wanted his comfort and his strength but now I’m regretting it, because all that comes with strings attached. If he says jump then I’d better jump or he’s going to growl at me until I do what he wants.
In the end though, we get packed. I want to complain more but it’s stupid and selfish. Cassidy wants to go and I should think more about what it’ll take to be safe than about pissing off my future husband. On the way out, Carmine lingers behind and I stay at his shoulder as Cassidy walks ahead.
“You’ll be in my room,” he says quietly.
I glare up at him. “What happened to rooms plural?”
“I decided you’ll be safer with me.”
“Carmine—”
“Why do you insist on arguing about everything? This isn’t because I enjoy your fucking sparkling presence. You’re a nag and a neat freak and you make my life goddamn difficult with your straight back and your prim little mouth. Have you ever cursed in your life? Don’t answer that, I bet you can’t even say the word fuck. Your house looks like a museum, did you know that? I can’t imagine what my life’s going to be like with you following me around.”