Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 64851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“Technically I’m not supposed to, but one of the nurses took pity on me and gave me five minutes. She’s standing beside me right now to make sure I’m not calling a dealer.”
“Let me guess you threw her one of your brilliant smiles and she swooned?” That was the thing about my brother, he could charm the bees from the flowers. He always had a way of getting exactly what he wanted. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I always gave into his needs.”
“You know me so well. Actually, I just wanted to check in on you and see how you’re doing? When you dropped me off, you looked really…I can’t really describe it, but I was really worried about you. I just wanted to check in.”
“That’s actually very thoughtful of you, Adam. I appreciate your calling to check in on me. I’m fine.” There was no way I would tell him that I was at my ex’s paying off a debt because of him.
“Are you sure? You don’t sound good. Look Sis, I just wanted to assure you that this time is going to be different. It’s been tough so far, but I want you to know you don’t have to worry about me anymore.”
“You’ve said that before, Adam. Actions speak louder than words. Don’t get better for my sake. Do it for yourself. You’re so smart with so much potential, and you’re wasting it the way things are right now. I just need for you to follow through and live up to that potential. In the meantime, I’ve made some calls to a few in-house rehabilitation centers. I’m hoping by the end of the week I’ll have something set up for you.” I hoped. With this rule not to leave this house, I somehow had to figure a way to slip out and tour some of these facilities and set up some meetings. I only had until the end of the week, and I didn’t want to leave Adam to his own devices. He needed to be in an around-the-clock facility. This was our last hope, and I couldn’t waste this opportunity.
“Thank you for having faith in me, Sis. I won’t let you down again.”
“No words, Adam, action. I’ll see you at the end of the week, okay? You hang in there.”
“I will. Love you, Sis.”
“I love you too.”
“Who the hell are you talking to?” The booming sound of Nick’s demand startled me to the point where I dropped my phone in surprise.
I quickly picked it up to make sure that there was no damage. The screen protector was slightly cracked, but that could easily be replaced. I turned back around and grabbed the plate I’d fixed for him. “Your breakfast is ready. Why don’t you go head and have a seat? I put his food on the table and stepped away.
Nick shot me a stony stare, and the muscle twitched in his jaw which wasn’t a good sign. “I asked you a question. Who were you talking to, Francesca?”
I raised my chin and narrowed my eyes to meet his gaze. “That’s really none of your business. You’re not entitled to know everything in my life.”
I was met with silence, and I thought that would be the end of the conversation. Before I realized what was happening, he moved across the kitchen so quickly, I barely saw him move. I didn’t get a chance to run because he gripped me by the forearms and started to shake me. “Who the fuck were you talking to, Francesca?”
“I pushed against his chest, but he wouldn’t move.”
“Leave me alone! I came downstairs and made your damn breakfast as you wanted. I don’t understand why you’re getting on my case?”
“Well, I could take you upstairs and teach you a little lesson in obedience. I can make last night look like a walk in the park, and trust me, I haven’t introduced you to half the toys I have at my disposal.”
I gulped as I searched his face to determine if he was bluffing. The darkening of his green gaze gave me the answer, and it was a resounding no. I really didn’t feel like he had the right to know about Adam, but if I told him part of what was going on, he’d at least get off my back. Besides, I had to find a way to get out of the house for a bit later that week.
“It was my brother, okay? I don’t why you had to barrel in here like King Kong and demand answers as if I’m your prisoner.”
He gave me one hard shake, making teeth rattle. “You are who I say you are. When you agreed to this arrangement, I told you the way it was going to be. If you’re just going to offer me resistance in every instance, I’m happy to end this arrangement right now, and you can pay me back in full what I’ve already wired to you.”