Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83776 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83776 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
He grunts and hugs me tighter, and I hold him like that on the floor of his house, breathing in his smell and trying not to cry for a boy trapped in a cage, taken and used by a man he once cared about more than anything in the world.
Chapter 31
Davide
It’d been a long time since I last told that story and spilling it that way was cathartic. Once she understood what had happened to me, I could tell a lot suddenly made more sense. Especially why I don’t like tight, enclosed spaces.
I make plans with Simon and my father. We bring in some of the other Capos and more of our trusted lieutenants. Elena asks me what’s going on, and even Angelo wants to discuss everything when he calls from prison, but we decided to keep everything in a very tight circle.
“I have a surprise for you,” I tell Stefania about a week after Santoro’s call. We’re walking down the oasis together, holding hands. It’s strangely natural, though a month ago I wouldn’t have been able to imagine this level of intimacy with her. Fucking her was one thing—but strolling along like an actual married couple seemed absurd.
And now here we are, walking around like a couple of middle-class yuppies on the prowl for frozen yogurt.
“Let me guess. We’re moving to Canada? You decided to learn French because you’ve always dreamed of becoming Quebecois?”
“Oui,” I say and wrap an arm around her shoulders. “Although honestly, if I was going to go live in a foreign country, it wouldn’t be Canada. Imagine living in a place so boring you actually decide to care about hockey?”
“Unthinkable,” she agrees, rolling her eyes. “The height of horror. Socialized medicine? Might as well kill me now.”
“No, this is a more personal surprise.” I steer her into the house and toward the stairs. “Any more guesses?”
“Uh, well, the way you’re looking at me makes me think it’s something, uh, intimate.” Her cheeks turn pink, which is both the cutest and the sexiest fucking thing, because I’m very sure she’s having impure thoughts.
“Yes, darling, I purchased some silk ropes and I plan on leaving you tied to the bed. You’ll be my little sex doll captive.”
She shivers. “Seriously?”
“No. Not seriously. Although I do have silk ropes if you’re interested?”
She licks her lips, the filthy little animal. “Another time.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I squeeze her ass and kiss her neck. She laughs and fights me off.
“Surprise, baby. I want the surprise.” She’s positively beaming, which makes me smile back. I love when she’s happy.
“If you don’t like it, don’t worry. It doesn’t have to be permanent.” I lead her up to the third floor and open her office door. “But I saw it and thought of you.”
She steps inside and her hands fly to her mouth.
Her Ikea desk is gone. In its place is a beautiful mahogany executive tanker, the wood gleaming and perfectly refinished. The hardware is all original and polished to a gleam. Intricate wood inlays decorate the front and sides, the sort of hand-finished craftsmanship that doesn’t exist anymore.
“Where did you get that?” she asks, running her fingers over the huge top.
“The estate of a very wealthy former chemicals CEO.”
“I’m guessing I don’t want to ask what this cost.”
“No, baby, you don’t, but you’re worth it. I know I haven’t gotten you a job yet like I promised, but this is proof that I’m still trying. I will find you something you love, something that’s worthy of you, I swear, and when you’re working here I want you to feel like a fucking queen.”
She stares at the desk—then covers her face with her hands and starts sobbing.
Which is not the reaction I expected.
Maybe some happy tears, sure, a little laughter, fine, but she’s crying like she just found out her entire family has super-cancer.
I’m not sure how to react at first before going to her and wrapping her in a big hug. “If you don’t like it, your old desk is in the other room.”
“No, it’s not that,” she says through the tears, then starts crying harder.
“Shit,” I say, hugging her tightly. “I’m new at this, baby. Tell me what I did.”
“You didn’t do anything,” she says, hiccupping once before wiping her face. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I just did that. It’s just, you’ve been so freaking nice to me, you’ve been so accommodating and kind when maybe I don’t really deserve it, and I just stood here staring at this beautiful desk and thought about how it’s such a nice gesture, but also I won’t ever be able to repay you.” She looks up, completely distraught. “Because I can’t get you things, Davide. I have no money, and anyway, you live like a freaking monk, you barely have any stuff—”