Total pages in book: 767
Estimated words: 732023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3660(@200wpm)___ 2928(@250wpm)___ 2440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 732023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3660(@200wpm)___ 2928(@250wpm)___ 2440(@300wpm)
“Only one of you can accompany us in the ambulance,” the older man says.
“You go.” Gabriel drags a hand through his hair. “I’ll meet you at the hospital.”
When Gabriel’s guard helps the men to lift the stretcher down the stairs, the woman I presume to be Carly’s mom turns to Gabriel. “I expect you to deal with this.” “I will,” he says tightly.
She looks down her nose at me before clacking a path down the stairs to the waiting ambulance. At the bottom, she throws her keys to Puff’s killer. “Rhett, bring my car to the hospital.”
Rhett glances at Gabriel, who gives a small nod. Carly’s mom gets into the back of the ambulance, and the door is pulled closed from the inside. As the vehicle pulls off with blaring sirens, Rhett gets into a Mercedes sports model and follows.
We are alone in the entrance now, Gabriel and I, and fury replaces the coldness in his eyes.
“You have a lot to explain.”
Panic speeds up my breathing. “What?”
“The cake.”
To say I’m shivering in my shoes is an understatement. “Oh, no, Gabriel.” This can’t be happening. “I’m so sorry.”
His eyes drill into mine. “Why did you do it?”
“I just wanted to make something nice for dessert.”
“Nice could’ve gotten her killed. Or did you know all along? How did you find out?”
“I swear I didn’t know. I still don’t know! Was it the honey? The eggs?”
“Carly is allergic to coconut.”
“What?” My mind is reeling. “She specifically asked for it.”
He looks at me with an expression that stops my heart before sending it into overdrive, the beat pounding in my ears.
“If you’re lying, you’ll pay dearly.” He grabs my arm with such a strong grip it hurts to the bone. “You don’t want to know what I do with people who threaten my family, let alone try to kill them.” He shakes me hard. “Next time, stick to what’s expected of you and leave the menu planning to Marie.” He shoves me away and takes his phone from his pocket.
I’m hugging myself while he barks out a command into the phone.
There’s a dark threat in his words. “Stay with Valentina until I return.” After putting away his phone, he hisses, “Be very glad she’s not dead and be even gladder Magda is at a dinner party tonight.”
A guard comes jogging up the path, an automatic rifle in his hands.
When he reaches the porch, Gabriel says, “Don’t let her out, and if Magda returns, don’t let her near Valentina.”
The guard nods, taking up a position by the door.
I try to calm my breathing as I meet Gabriel’s livid stare. He has all the reason in the world to be angry, and the fact that he doesn’t hit me makes me fear him more. It means he has control, and men with control are the most dangerous.
“Go inside.” The words sound like an ice lake cracking. “Don’t even think about running.
The windows and doors are protected with an alarm.”
I bite my cheek to still my chattering teeth and do as I’ve been told. I’m scarcely inside when I hear the tires of a car shooting up gravel. Through the lounge window, I see a Jaguar convertible clear the gates.
I’m shaking all over when I get to my room. Oscar is my consolation, offering me affection as I sink down on the bed and sit in the dark until my breathing is more normal. As the minutes roll into hours, I try to calm my mind by studying, but I can’t concentrate on what I read. One hour becomes two, then three, four, and five. I don’t have the courage to shower or change. All I can do is wait for Gabriel and Carly’s return. Not able to stand the tension any longer, I take up a post in front of the window in the dining room that overlooks the street-side of the property.
It’s almost eleven before the headlights of a car illuminates the gates. It can be Magda, returning from her dinner party. Relief washes over me when the Jaguar pulls up to the door. A haggard-looking Gabriel gets out and limps around the car to help Carly from the passenger side.
With his arm around her shoulders, he leads her up the steps. I rush to meet them in the entrance. “Carly! Are you all right?” “She will be,” Gabriel says, moving past me.
“I kept the dinner warm.”
“I’m not hungry,” Carly says.
“You need your strength, honey. Bring it up to Carly’s room.”
He doesn’t spare me a glance as they make their way upstairs. I prepare a tray and knock on Carly’s door before I enter.
Gabriel sits in a chair next to the bed, Carly’s hand clasped in his. He turns his scars away from me. “Leave it on the table. We’ll serve ourselves.”
I obey and escape to the false safety of my room. I’m petrified Gabriel won’t believe me, but even more terrified that my mistake will cost Charlie’s life. ‘One wrong move,’ Magda said. I don’t get why Carly would do something like this.