Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
I swallowed trying to rein in my own anger. I’d sworn myself I’d deal with this calmly. “You can keep this house. It’s always been yours. Once the divorce papers are signed, you’ll get the fifty millionsmillion.”
I turned on my heel and walked into the lobby. It wouldn’t do any good to prolong this conversation. If Cressida had some time to think about my offer, she’d see it was the best solution. She was an attractive woman. She’d find a new husband.
She staggered after me and reached for a crystal vase from another expensive sideboard in the lobby. “You think you can buy me off with lousy fifty million?”
“How about seventy million, will this make your obvious heartbreak more bearable?” I gritted out.
Her eyes widened and she threw the vase in my direction. It smashed before my feet. I had enough. I stalked toward her and backed her into the wall. “That’s enough. Eighty million. That’s my last offer and you better take it.”
Her eyes burned with loathing. “I hope you’ll die.”
I gave her a harsh smile. “Many have tried.” I stepped back and walked out. I knew this wasn’t over. Cressida would call her father right away and he’d try to gather the Traditionalist around himself to force me to reconsider my decision, which wasn’t going to happen. I would divorce Cressida and marry the woman I really loved. The woman I’d be faithful to for the rest of my life.
When I left the townhouse, I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I turned the music up as I steered my car toward my family’s home. Telling Cressida of my plans had been only the first step of many, the first of many difficult confrontations. Now I had to tell Dad, though maybe Antonaci was speaking to him right now.
The last and most difficult hurdle to overcome would be Remo Falcone.
I shook my head with a wry smile. I grabbed my phone and dialed Greta’s number. I’d never before called her but today I simply needed to hear her voice.
“Amo! Are you hurt?”
Hearing the concern in her voice and imagining the kindness in her eyes, I knew I’d made the right decision, a decision I’d never regret no matter what happened now. “No, I feel better than I have in a long time. I need to talk to you.”
“I need to talk to you too. If you hadn’t called, I would have asked you for a call. Amo, I can’t do it anymore.” My heart sank. Fuck, was she breaking things off? I would never accept that. Whatever was forcing her to make this decision—I would fucking smash it apart.
“I despise the secrecy. I know I told you I don’t mind being your dark secret but I do. I want us to be together all the time. I know we can’t but—"
“Greta, you aren’t a dark secret. You are fucking everything and I want everyone to know. I want everyone to know you’re mine. I don’t ever want there to be someone other than me.”
“There’s always only you.”
My heart swelled. “I told Cressida I want a divorce.”
Greta sucked in a sharp breath. “Really?”
“Really. I’m heading to my parents now. Once I’ve told them and handled the backlash, I’m going to book the next flight to Las Vegas and ask for your hand again. I hope this time your answer will be different.”
It would be the best Christmas present of all time.
“Amo.” Greta’s voice shook. “I’m scared I’m dreaming all of this.”
“If this were a dream we’d already be on our honeymoon and I’d be making you mine over and over again.”
Greta released a breath. “What if—”
“No matter what happens, we’ll be together. I’m going to face the consequences. Whatever happens will be worth it a thousand times over.”
“I talked to my mother. And I’ll tell my family as well.”
Greta had her own confrontations ahead of her.
“I should have told you before, but it never felt right, and maybe now isn’t the right time either because we’re on the phone but I simply need to tell you.” I took a deep breath because I’d never uttered those three words before. “I love you.”
“Oh Amo,” Greta whispered.
“Don’t cry.” I couldn’t stand the thought of Greta’s tears when I wasn’t there to hug her.
She let out a small laugh. “I won’t. I’m just happy. And I love you too.”
I grinned but the smile disappeared when I pulled up in front of my parents’ house. “I’m at my parents’. Tell me how your chat with your family goes. Soon we’ll be together and then I won’t ever leave your side.”
We hung up, and after a moment to compose myself, I got out of my car and headed for the front door. I didn’t get the chance to ring the bell. The door opened and Valerio stood before me. He gave me a wide-eyed stare and grimaced. “You have balls to come here now. Mom’s trying to talk Dad off the ledge.”