Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
My phone dings in my purse, and I pull it out to see a message from Lorenzo.
Caveman
How is your day going, bambolina?
Me
It’s great. How’s your meeting?
Caveman
Long and boring. My mind is on you and that thing you did with your tongue this morning.
As my face heats, I glance around, hoping neither my sister nor the two bodyguards realize I’m sexting with Lorenzo. Squirming in my seat, I hastily type out a reply before I’m able to talk myself out of it.
Me
You mean when I wrapped it around your cock and…
Caveman
That’s exactly what I mean. After your sister goes to bed tonight, I’m going to return the favor. You’ll have to practice being quiet because I plan to devour your sweet pussy until you scream my name.
God, I hope no one gets a look at his phone screen. I’d die of embarrassment.
Me
I look forward to it.
Caveman
I love you, bambolina.
Me
I love you, too.
“Get off the phone.” My sister steps out of the fitting room and grumbles, “Today is a girls’ day out. You can flirt with him tonight.”
Boy, she has no idea. I slip my phone back into my purse and smile at Lila. “Where do you want to go next?”
From the boutique, we move to another store Lila has been dying to check out, and our hands quickly fill with bags. Each shop adds to our collection, the day slipping by in a haze of laughter and camaraderie. It’s a balm to my soul, this chance to bond with my sister and to see her so happy and carefree.
We eventually make our way to a quaint little deli for lunch. The intimate setting with its checkered tablecloths and the delicious aroma of freshly made sandwiches is perfect.
We settle into a cozy corner booth while Renaldo and Mario take seats at the small table nearby. The menu is filled with tempting options, and I have a hard time deciding.
“I’ve missed this,” Lila says, catching my eye. “Being together like this.”
“Me too,” I say, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand.
As we enjoy our sandwiches, Lila leans in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I need to tell you something, but you have to promise to keep it a secret.”
“Of course,” I reply, intrigued. “What is it?”
Lila glances over at Renaldo and Mario, making sure they’re not listening. “I’m lusting after Antonio,” she admits, her cheeks flushing slightly.
“Antonio?” I bite my lip to keep from giggling. I can’t believe she didn’t realize how obvious the chemistry between the two of them is.
She nods, her expression a mix of excitement and worry. “I can’t stop thinking about him.”
I smile, touched by her confession. “Your secret is safe with me, Lila.”
“I know it is,” she admits. “Now, I can see how you fell so fast for Lorenzo.”
“I told you so.” I giggle.
“You have no idea how hard it is to admit you were right.” She shakes her head as the smile on her face tells me she’s amused.
As we finish our lunch and head back to the SUV, there’s a sense of camaraderie between us, a shared secret that strengthens our bond. The day has been perfect, a brief respite from the complexities of my new life.
But as we head back to the penthouse, a black truck comes out of nowhere and collides with the SUV. The impact is sudden and violent, throwing us sideways. My head slams against the window, and pain explodes in my temple as the world goes black for a moment.
Consciousness ebbs and flows, and I’m vaguely aware of Renaldo and Mario shouting, the chaos outside blending with the rushing noise in my head. I feel Lila’s hand clutching mine, her voice a frantic but distant echo.
Through the haze of pain and confusion, a thought cuts through with crystal clarity: Lorenzo. I need Lorenzo.
I imagine his face, dark eyes filled with concern, his calming presence a lifeline in the storm. I cling to the image of him, willing myself to stay conscious, to hold on to the hope that he’ll find us and make everything alright.
“Lorenzo,” I murmur, my voice barely a whisper as darkness threatens to pull me under again.
Everything becomes a blur, a twisting vortex of lights and sounds. But through it all, I hold on to the thought of Lorenzo, the strength of our connection, and the love that ties us together.
As I drift into unconsciousness, his name is the last thing on my lips, a silent plea for safety and protection. And in that moment, I trust that he’ll come for me, and he’ll do whatever it takes to bring me back into the light.
FIFTEEN
LORENZO
The penthouse feels unusually quiet today, the absence of Mira’s laughter and Lila’s animated chatter leaving an unsettling void. I’ve been pacing the rooms for the better part of an hour, a strange sense of unease settling in my chest. It’s a feeling I can’t shake that gnaws at me, making me restless.