Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Klaus sat in the back of the car with his wife, and Isabella grabbed his hands. “What’s going on?”
His instinct was to lie to her, but instead, he told her the truth. “There haven’t been any signs of a hit or anything of concern.”
“Could your guy have been wrong?”
“He’s never wrong.”
Isabella’s hand tightened around his. “What if my father called it off? Is that even possible?”
“Anything is possible, but he won’t. There’s no way he could do that now.”
“Why?”
“Too many people are aware of the hit. He’d be seen as a coward.”
“You shouldn’t have done what you did on our wedding night.” She nibbled on her lip. “He’d leave us alone.”
He cupped her cheek. “Don’t. Your father doesn’t deserve your hope nor your pity. The man is an asshole of the highest order, and I won’t have you thinking of him. Am I clear?”
“I’m not thinking of him.” She pressed her face against his palm. “It’s you I care about.”
“My men are the best. They’d sacrifice themselves for the family.”
“What if it happens tonight?” she asked. “I couldn’t bear it if anything happens to you. I’d rather we stay at home where I know you’re going to be safe.”
“Lastra won’t try anything tonight. If he does, everyone will know what happened and before the end of the night, the streets would run red with blood.” He didn’t mind going to war. Isabella’s life would be constantly at risk, but the moment he wiped out the Lastra name and everyone associated with it, the world would be a better place.
She breathed out. “I’ll never understand this need for war.”
“You’re not a man, and I’m thankful for that.”
She chuckled. “I still don’t like this. Please, do not leave me tonight.”
“I won’t.” He closed the distance and kissed her again.
In no time at all, they had arrived at Lastra’s vast estate. He held Isabella’s hand tight within his own. The slight shaking of her body had him tense.
“I’ve got you.”
“It’s not me I’m worried about.”
They rode down the long road, coming to a stop at the parking lot. There were several cars parked, and he noticed Lastra standing with his wife at the entrance.
It would be so easy for him to kill the bastard right now and be done with it.
His driver got out of the car and opened the door. All the while, Klaus was on high alert, and he didn’t let his wife go. Climbing out of the car, he held Isabella’s hand, helping her to keep some level of modesty.
“I see nothing, sir,” his driver said, whispering to him.
He nodded, and with his hand on his wife’s back, they walked toward her parents. Klaus didn’t give the asshole the satisfaction of looking anywhere else but forward. He tried to look for any sign, but Lastra’s mask was firmly in place.
Nothing could be given away.
“It’s so good of you to come. I take it your journey was pleasant?” Lastra asked.
“Of course,” he said.
Isabella’s mother moved forward and hugged her close. “I can’t believe how grown up you are. It’s so good to see you.”
“Thank you. Hello, Dad.”
Lastra nodded at her.
They were frozen on the doorsteps.
“It’s getting cold. Come on, we must take you inside.” Her mother grasped her arm and urged her forward. Klaus followed, never once breaking eye contact with her father. This was a challenge all right, but Lastra wouldn’t come out the victor. He was a sniveling wife- and daughter-beating piece of shit, and Klaus knew exactly what to do with men like him. Every other man in Lastra’s position would have been killed by now. Instead, he had to play it safe. To play the bigger role.
“I’m glad you accepted my invitation,” Lastra said.
Klaus ignored the hand offered to him and pointed for the man to continue. It was a standoff with neither backing down. He could do this all day, and in the end, Lastra backed off, which was exactly what he wanted.
Stepping into his home, he closed the door, letting the man know he may be in his home, but Klaus was the one who held all the power, and that wasn’t going to be going away any time soon.
There was no time for pleasantries, and so he found his wife already sitting at the dining room table. She sipped at a glass of water.
“No wine?” her mother asked.
“No, none for me.”
“Are you trying to tell us something?” Her mother started to giggle.
“Enough!” Lastra clicked his fingers as he sat down. Klaus took the other end of the table, watching his opponent.
Waiters came out carrying silver serving platters of food.
Klaus’s jaw clenched as he caught sight of his wife’s plate. There was barely anything on it, while he had several slices of toasted baguette with a tomato relish. His wife had one already prepared.
“To keep with your weight, darling,” her mother said.