Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“Luca!” a soft, breathless voice called.
I felt her voice in the pit of my stomach. I felt it the way a woman feels when she realizes a hooded man is walking behind her in a deserted car park. I knew she was trouble. With the hairs at the back of my neck standing, I turned to look at the owner of the seductive voice.
She was beautiful. Her dazzling red dress clung to her sexy figure.
“Irene,” Luca said, and rose to his feet for her.
I had to lower my head because I couldn’t trust what my expression would reveal.
“You didn’t tell me last night you would be here,” I heard her say.
“You didn’t ask,” he replied.
Was he flirting with her right in front of me? I saw red. It was pathetic but I wanted to scratch her eyes out. I got to my feet.
“Excuse me,” I said needing to be out of there but not before I caught the finger that she had pressed teasingly on his chest.
“Who is she?” I heard her ask as I hastened away.
The moment I was out of the massive hall, I leaned against a wall. There were signs ahead giving directions to the washrooms, but I needed a moment to just calm down. I felt a wreck. I was so jealous it was like acid pouring into my stomach. So this is what Diana felt for all those years. I could almost understand her now. Why she had killed my plants. I wanted to cut her finger off. I hated even the thought of her touching Luca. I closed my eyes. I needed to get a hold of myself.
“It doesn’t matter,” I whispered to myself. “Nothing matters. It’ll all be over soon.”
“You look amazing?” a voice I hoped I would never hear again drawled close to me.
My boiling blood froze over. Disbelief ripped through me and for a moment I was too afraid to open my eyes. It couldn’t be. But I opened my eyes and there he was. My worst nightmare. I could do nothing but stare at him, my entire body tingling with disgust.
A sick smile spread across his face. “Wow,” he said with a strained laugh. “Anyone would think you hated me.”
He took a step towards me and I jumped away.
He feigned hurt. “What? You don’t want me anymore?”
Bile rose to my throat. I swallowed hard. “We’re finished, Salvatore.”
“You don’t understand, Skye. His month is nearly up and then you’re coming back to me. I’ve made good, Skye. I’m earning big bucks now. I can take care of you… and your dad. I’ll be good to you. I’ll take you shopping and buy you more stuff like this outfit you’re wearing now.”
Chapter 40
Luca
I got rid of Irene and glanced impatiently at the empty seat next to me. I felt ridiculous. Was I truly this eager to see her after one night away that I couldn’t bear for her to be out of my sight for a simple bathroom break?
Every decent cell in my body told me to sit there and wait for her to return, but I couldn’t sit still. I felt agitated and even angsty. I rose up from my seat and strode out of the hall. I could see my men hanging around the edges of the room. They stared at me with guarded expressions.
As I got out of the room I saw her. Then I saw him. The fury that burned inside me was like a ball of lava.
“You don’t have a choice?” I heard him say, his voice malicious and bitter. “The moment he’s done with you I’m taking you back.”
“I’d rather die,” I heard her spit out.
“Oh no you won’t,” he shot back. “Your father will. If you don’t come back to me, I’ll hurt him.”
“Move away from her,” I growled. Hell would freeze over before I let him have her.
He turned around to face me. Our gazes collided, his wide and shocked as he began to back away from me.
“Don Luca! I wasn’t. I was just…”
I swung my fist and socked him on the jaw. He flew backwards and landed on his back. I glared at him, but he didn’t move at all. He was out cold. There were shocked gasps around us. From the corner of my eyes I could see my men. Keeping their distance, but ready to do battle. My knuckles stung and I inhaled deeply before I turned my eyes to her.
Her hands were covering her mouth. I felt a surreal pain when I saw the tension in her face.
I went to touch her, but she instantly flinched away.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Don’t mind me. It’s been a long day.”
I hooked my arms behind her knees and back and swept her off her feet. She gasped, but immediately curled her arms around my neck.