Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Shit.”
“Emilia? What’s going on? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. They’re reporting to tell you that I ran away from home. I’m actually surprised they didn’t call you sooner.”
“Damn it—”
“I promise I’m safe. I just needed a break to regroup. Regardless of what you think, hearing her on your phone hurt. Zoe and I decided to take a break for a few days.”
“Where are you? I’ll send your security there. Of course, it will be a new team because I’m going to have to deal with the men I left in charge.”
“No. I’m fine. You can call me tomorrow and we will discuss the terms of mutual surrender.”
“No, you will let me send security—wait, mutual surrender?”
“You will have to give some, Niko, if you really want me to come back to you.”
“Emilia—”, he warns.
“Good night, Niko. We will talk tomorrow.”
I hang up before I lose my nerve, shutting off my cell knowing he will try to track it and do as he wants anyway. My heart is racing, butterflies are fluttering in my stomach. I wonder if I did the right thing.
Am I making things too easy for him?
I flop back on the bed and sigh. I love him. That’s what this boils down to. I freaking love him. I don’t want to give up on him.
I’m not sure it’s possible.
CHAPTER 31
Niko
I sit back and listen to Maxwell as he sips his scotch. It’s the next day and I resent like fuck that I keep looking at my phone to see if Emilia has called. I know better because I’ve kept the damn thing with me constantly, not wanting to miss her. This woman is slowly killing me. I wonder if I will ever get her under control. I could almost laugh at the thought. I don’t want to tame her. I love the way she challenges me. She keeps me on my toes.
I turn my attention back to Maxwell. The atmosphere between us today is much better. We’ve returned to the way we’ve always been, and I’m damn grateful. This meeting has been relaxing and there has been no leftover tension between us. We’re at the same restaurant that Maxwell insists upon when we’re here. Both of us waved away food, opting for something stronger. It’s barely afternoon yet, but apparently, he needs a bit of the hair of the dog just as much as I do. The only difference is that my frustration is because of his daughter. His is because DeLuca is about to declare war on the Dracos family. I should probably be worried about that, but for the first time in my life, I’m more concerned about my personal life than my professional one.
Besides, the news today isn’t any better than the meeting from yesterday. I can only shake my head as Maxwell finishes catching me up to date. I’m not sure what this means for our future, but I’m confident that in the end we will come out victorious. We just need to get back to the states. DeLuca has connections and Dracos isn’t exactly without enemies. He has weaknesses and we will exploit those. In this business, it always boils down to that old saying, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
I will help with that, but right now, I can’t focus. I’m too preoccupied, wondering where my bride to be fled and trying to figure out how she managed it. I already have men trying to locate her, but to prove that Emilia is as smart as she is beautiful, she’s not left a paper trail and her cell is turned off. That means she’s taking great pains to remain hidden. That doesn’t exactly make me happy.
“DeLuca apparently had another meeting with Dracos, this one in private. He didn’t even fill me in until after. All I really know is this one didn’t end well because De Luca spent the night getting rip-roaring drunk. I’d say he’s nursing one hell of a hangover right now.”
I whistle as I try to process it. “There’s hardly anything that makes DeLuca lose control like that.” That’s an understatement. The man rarely touches alcohol. He says he has to keep his head about him because weaknesses can be exploited.
He’s not wrong.
“Antonio doesn’t like being disrespected. There are those that underestimate him, thinking he only has his position because his father had it. That’s a dangerous mistake and someone will be paying for it.”
I nod, understanding why he would be upset. “I could see how that would cause an issue because I hate getting looked at as a man that doesn’t belong. Hell, most assume I don’t know what I’m doing because I wasn’t born into it.”
“Those of us that deal with you know better.”
I nod, unsure of what to say, but thankful he feels that way.
“Have you spoken to Emilia?” Maxwell asks curiously. He’s changing the subject. Clearly, he’s just as over talking business as I am.