Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60700 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60700 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
“Yeah, that’s traumatic.” I try to make my voice sound light, but it catches a little.
Bobby pulls my hand to his lips and kisses my fingers. “I thought I was fine. Became the man of the house, took care of the family. The don put me to work and made me rich. I thought I was a man, so I married young. For years afterward, I was twitchy—if a door banged open, I’d draw my gun, that kind of thing. And then it got worse, I developed this weird thing about blood. Every time I saw it, I went into fight or flight. Not great for a guy in my line of work.” His rueful smile twists my heart.
“No.” I keep my voice soft.
“I was a dick about it–I didn’t want anyone to know. I’m an alpha male–we don’t show weakness, you know? And then one day, one of my girls had a bloody nose, and I just…blacked out. My wife–ex-wife now–said I drew a gun. Not on them, but in front of them, like I was trying to protect them from something. Either way, it was dangerous and unforgivable. That’s when I finally admitted I needed help.”
“Bobby,” I whisper, stunned.
He blinks. “I can’t believe I just told you that story. There’s only one person in the world besides my ex-wife and kids who knows it, and that was the therapist I saw for it.”
I try to ignore the trickle of pleasure that gives me. That he shared such a personal story with me. That it’s not something he shares with every girl he’s had in this apartment. “Thank you. I’m honored,” I murmur.
His lips tick up, and he kisses my forehead. “So anyway, the therapy I did was fast and effective. It’s not like some lie-on-a-couch-and-whine-shit. It’s called EMDR, have you heard of it?”
I shake my head.
“I don’t really know how it works, but basically you move your eyes left and right while you tell the story of what happened, and it erases all the automatic physical responses that get triggered by the trauma. It’s a nervous system reset.”
I find this apparently open-minded side to him unexpected. He certainly doesn’t appear to be the soy protein shake and wheatgrass kind of guy.
“For me, it just took one session–that was it. Do you want to see her?”
“She’s not another ex-girlfriend of yours, right?” I don’t know why I ask it, maybe the mention of his ex. Maybe I’m starting to feel territorial about this guy–which is definitely a problem since he made it clear we’re not dating.
“Nope. Not an ex-girlfriend. And I’m sorry about Stacy. She’s having a hard time letting go. If her crazy continues and catches the notice of the organization, I’m gonna have a hard time protecting her.”
I shiver at the reminder of the reality of what Bobby is. Despite how safe and protected he makes me feel, his family is very dangerous.
He smiles. “I’m glad you don’t seem threatened.”
“Ah…I might have wanted to throat-punch her in the moment,” I admit. “But I know I have no claim on you. You’re not my boyfriend.” I try to sound nonchalant, like I really don’t give a flying F about the fact that he’s not and never will be boyfriend material. Like it doesn’t taste like ash on my tongue saying the words.
I need to remember Bobby Manghini isn’t a man I can get attached to, despite the way he seems to be worming his way into my heart.
“So…I asked you a question. Wanna try?”
I wriggle closer. “How much does it cost?”
“I’ll take care of it. You think I’d suggest it and not pay?”
I smile. “Okay, yeah. I’d like to try it.”
“Good girl.” He drops another kiss on my forehead.
Ahh, those magic words. The ones that always turn me to mush. It’s crazy that being “owned” by Bobby Manghini holds so much appeal, especially considering what he just did to me. But right now it doesn’t matter. I feel safe and warm in his strong arms, my problems all handled by him with ease.
“I need to get back home, angel.” He sounds regretful. “Are you okay?” He strokes my cheek.
“Well, my ass is on fire, but yeah.” I give a wry smile. “I’m okay. Thanks, Bobby.”
He kisses me on the lips and starts to get dressed. Pulling out his wallet, he drops a huge wad of cash on the dresser. “I probably have a grand with me now, and I’ll bring you the rest tomorrow. I can meet you down at the salon in the afternoon.”
Moisture coats my eyes again. “You don’t need to. That will be enough to get her off my back. I have until the end of the month to pay the rest.”
“Okay. Call me if it’s not.”
I climb out of bed and wrap my arms around his neck. “I’m sorry about calling you,” I whisper into his neck.