Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
The car is warm inside, the engine already running. I’m grateful for the blanket he folds around my legs after he’s seated me.
On the way, he calls Dante to go through the security checks again. It’s a regular night, so there will be general public in the club. The party will be held upstairs on the gallery. Saverio is leaving nothing to chance. He’s having everyone searched and their bags scanned before they can enter. Men are stationed around the building as well as on all the floors inside. Extra reinforcements are already in place outside.
“Do you expect trouble?” I ask when he finally puts away his phone.
He takes my hand and pulls it into his lap. “No, but I don’t mess with your and our baby’s safety.”
Our baby.
Lately, he’s been using that possessive pronoun a lot when he talks about my child. It both warms my chest and frightens me. He’s been pushing me to choose a name, but I haven’t found one that’s right yet. Evan signed the legal documents that confirm the termination of his parental responsibilities and rights. The adoption papers are lying on Saverio’s desk. He’s eager to fill out the name field and to sign on the dotted line. Maybe that’s why I’ve been subconsciously holding back. I’m still not sure it’s the right thing to do even though it means my child won’t want for anything. It will give Saverio the same parental rights I have. He’ll have a say in everything that concerns my child. My baby will be just as much his as she’ll be mine, and she’ll be lawfully tied to him under his guardianship until she turns eighteen.
“We’re here,” he says, squeezing my hand and dipping his head to scan the street through the windshield.
A guard opens his door when the car comes to a stop. He gets out, straightens his jacket, and looks up and down the street before coming around the car. Two men flank him on either side. He speaks a few words with one of them before helping me from the car. The area outside the club has been cleared. Bouncers form a double line to the door. It’s only six o’clock. The queue for the nightclub won’t start until eight, and the doors won’t open for the public before ten.
Saverio takes my arm and escorts me inside. There are more guards in the lobby searching the party guests. They stand aside for us to enter. Dante waits in front of the elevator.
“Anya,” he says, offering me a bright smile. “You look lovely.”
“Thanks.” I tilt my head. “No date tonight?”
He exchanges a look with Saverio. “Not tonight.”
“Is everything in place?” Saverio asks as he helps me to remove my coat and scarf.
Dante nods. “I swept the place twice myself.”
“I’ll be right back, treasure,” Saverio whispers in my ear, sealing the promise with a kiss on my neck before he takes my coat and scarf to the cloak room.
I watch him as he hands over my garments and waits for a number. He didn’t even take a coat for himself. I swear he’s never cold.
Dante clears his throat. “Just a word of caution.”
I turn my face in his direction and wait for him to continue.
“Your pregnancy made a lot of noise in these circles. You can imagine why. When you go in there, people are going to stare. Some will talk. Just keep your back straight and walk like you own the floor. Don’t give them a weakness to exploit. And whatever you do, don’t let your guard down.”
Great. It sounds as if I’m going to have fun. “Thanks for the heads up.”
Saverio returns, pinning Dante with a look. “What were you talking to Anya about?”
Dante grins. “I just gave her a few pointers for the night.”
“Anya can handle herself,” Saverio says, taking my hand and placing it on the crook of his arm.
He smiles at me, a gesture meant to soothe me, but the lines around his eyes are strained. Brushing a thumb over my knuckles, he leads me inside the elevator.
Dante follows and hits the button for the top floor.
“If you’re so worried about security, why are we having the party here?” I ask Saverio.
His reply is curt. “Security will be an issue anywhere. We’re doing it here because it makes a statement.”
Of course. This is his territory. It wouldn’t be right to have the party in a club that doesn’t belong to the family.
“Don’t worry,” he says as the elevator comes to a stop and the doors open. “We’ll have the wedding somewhere appropriate.”
The statement ties my insides into a knot, but I don’t have time to ponder it, because he’s guiding me onto the floor that’s already packed with people.
A line of bouncers forms a human tunnel, letting us through. I count them as we pass, and then I count the people. A quick calculation shows there’s one bouncer for every four guests. It’s a meaningless exercise, but it helps to settle my nerves. As Dante predicted, people stop talking and drinking to stare. I walk next to Saverio with my head held high, doing my best to ignore the whispering.