Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
The private jet starts to taxi down the runway, and after gaining enough speed, it lifts into the air.
Gabriella suddenly grabs hold of my forearm, and if it weren’t for the shirt I’m wearing, her nails would draw blood.
I turn my head toward her and see she has her eyes squeezed shut, her face so fucking pale, I worry whether she’s about to get sick next to me.
I look at where her slender fingers are gripping my arm, and when my anger doesn’t spiral out of control because she’s touching me without permission, my eyebrow lifts.
Don’t look too deep.
The seatbelt sign goes off, and it has me muttering, “My arm.”
I hear Gabriella gasp as her fingers jump away from me. “I apologize,” she murmurs, her voice coated with fear.
She glances in my direction, and a moment passes before her eyes meet mine. “It’s my first time flying.”
When she doesn’t lower her gaze, I take in the green flecks in her soft brown eyes, then, to test her, I let my expression grow dark.
I let every ounce of power I possess radiate from me.
She starts to tremble and swallows hard, but still, her eyes remain locked on mine. There’s no staring her down.
“Are you brave or stupid?” I ask, the anger constantly skirting around the edges of my mind, making my tone sound harsh.
It takes a few seconds before her glossy lips part, and her honest reply trembles with the fear I’m accustomed to hearing as she says, “I’m stubborn by nature.”
Her answer actually amuses me, and once again, I’m caught by surprise as the corner of my mouth lifts. It’s fleeting before I forcefully school my face with an impassive expression.
I glance at my men to see if any of them noticed the brief smile, but half are napping while some watch TV.
Focusing my attention back on my original plan to get information for Dario, I ask, “How old are you?”
“Twenty-three.”
Eight years younger than Dario.
Sixteen years younger than me.
I ignore the unwanted thought and ask the next question, “Virgin?”
I feel an intense burst of energy from her, and turning my eyes back to her, I notice a blush creeping up her face.
Her reply falls softly between us. “Yes.”
I know everything about everyone that matters. Before I laid eyes on Gabriella, I didn’t care about her existence, and it’s the reason I don’t know much about her.
I tear my gaze away from her beautiful face. “Have you studied?”
“No.”
“Work?”
“My parents don’t approve of women working.”
“From what I saw, I assume you’re not close with your family?”
“I’m not.”
Good. It will save Dario from having to worry about them.
“Friends or acquaintances?”
Sometimes, friends can be a bigger nuisance than family.
She shakes her head. “No.”
“Your parents provided for you?”
I’m surprised when she doesn’t answer immediately, and it has my eyes snapping back to her face.
She seems to be in two minds about something before she answers, “They provided for my basic needs.”
“But?”
“You’ll probably find out sooner or later,” she mutters, sounding a little frustrated. “I get extra money from makeup and skincare tutorials on social media.”
I find social media to be a waste of time, but I’m impressed that she’s trying to earn her own income even though her parents don’t want her to work.
Not commenting on what she said, I ask, “How’s your health? Any problems?”
“No.”
“Mental problems I should know about?”
“No.”
“Contraception?”
Her cheeks flush again, and she sucks in a deep breath before letting it out with a huff. “There’s been no need for contraception as I haven’t been in a relationship.”
“So, no previous boyfriends?”
“No boyfriends,” she sighs, clearly annoyed by all the questions.
“But you were engaged to Stefano,” I state.
“Not by choice, and you could hardly call it a relationship.”
“My cousin isn’t known for his patience,” I say as I unbutton the cuffs of my shirt. While I roll the fabric to beneath my elbows, I ask, “Has he seen you naked or touched you in a sexual manner?”
“Caro Dio,” she gasps, and for the first time, she glances down at her hands that are lying on her lap while her cheeks burn red with embarrassment. “No. He was waiting for your approval.”
Good.
I’m surprised when a sense of relief trickles into my chest.
Not lifting her head, her voice trembles as she asks, “Will you answer my question from earlier?”
I shake my head and wave a hand toward the seat she previously occupied.
Carlo’s up and quickly helps Gabriella to the other chair before coming to take his place beside me.
The flight attendant brings me another tumbler of whiskey, and I take a couple of sips before leaning back and closing my eyes.
Gabriella’s answers fill my mind as I try to figure out who she really is. She seems strong and innocent, a combination I haven’t encountered before.
Chapter 4
Gabriella
My heart is beating wildly in my chest, dread coating my skin, and my nerves frayed from the interrogation I somehow survived.