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)
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” I reply, but there’s a lightness in my tone. “We’ve got enough to handle without all of you fuckers dropping like fucking flies.”
Luca shudders dramatically. “Never happening to me.”
“Find out everything there is to know about my girl.” I can’t believe I didn’t do this before now. I really am slipping.
“I’ll get right on it.” He leaves me to my thoughts, and I return my gaze to the beach. But in the back of my mind, memories of Silver Spoon Falls linger.
Mira’s face comes to me unbidden, her eyes filled with trust and a hint of something more. Did the small Texas town’s water have any bearing on this strange connection? Maybe. Maybe not. But the feelings are real, and in the midst of my world’s brutality, they’re a reminder that sometimes, even the most powerful man needs a touch of magic.
I return to my glass, but it’s no longer the baccarat crystal form of solace it was moments ago. Now, it’s a reminder of the treacherous world I inhabit, and the innocent life unknowingly caught in its crossfire.
Thoughts of Mira flood my mind. It’s fucking insane how a simple gesture, a bottle of aloe vera gel sent to soothe her sunburn, has potentially put my little soulmate in harm’s way. She’s become a target, a pawn in a game she doesn’t even know exists.
I take a final swig of my bourbon, the burn a sharp reminder of the harsh reality I have to face.
There’s no time to waste. I need to act, to ensure her safety. My world may be one of shadows and violence, but even in that darkness, there are lines I won’t cross. And allowing harm to come to an innocent woman because of my actions? That’s a red line.
Mira doesn’t know it yet, but her life is about to change. Now that I’ve got an excuse to keep her, I’ll do whatever it takes to make her mine. And if the Grimaldis think they can use her against me, they’ll soon learn the real meaning of retribution.
I stand by the floor-to-ceiling window, fingers drumming against the glass, thoughts swirling in my mind like a storm. Luca’s footsteps are barely audible, but I’ve been waiting for him.
When he enters the room, I turn to face him. His expression is solemn, a dossier clutched in his hand. He hands it to me without a word, and I flip it open, scanning the contents.
“Mira Jones,” I read aloud, the name now even more familiar. “A teacher at a small private school in Florida.”
“Since it’s summer vacation, no one will miss her for several weeks,” Luca continues, filling in the gaps. “Her younger sister, Lila, is in college in Colorado, working two jobs to help pay for her education. Their parents died three years ago. Mira’s been living frugally to help put her sister through college.”
I swallow hard, the weight of her burdens more palpable. The thought of someone so pure, so distant from my world, being dragged into my dark reality is unsettling, but I can’t seem to help myself. The curvy little blonde stole my goddamn heart earlier in the elevator. Admitting that to myself was the easy part. Keeping her safe in my world will be a nearly impossible task, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her. And to win her heart.
“She doesn’t have any ex-boyfriends or close friends,” Luca adds, and I realize I was holding my breath. I breathe easy, knowing I don’t have the added complication of getting rid of some asshole. “It’s a clean slate. She’s lived a quiet, responsible life.”
The stark contrast between her world and mine couldn’t be clearer. “She’s entirely innocent,” I say, more to myself than Luca. “She doesn’t deserve any of this.”
Luca shifts slightly as if uncomfortable with the sincerity in my voice. “I’ve arranged for us to rent a private yacht. It will sail us back to New York discreetly. In the meantime, a decoy private plane will leave the island to throw the Grimaldis off our trail.”
I nod, appreciating Luca’s thoroughness. “Good. When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow morning,” he replies. “We’ll move her from the hotel and get her on the yacht. The new pilot is already briefed on the decoy mission. Her sister and friends have a flight two hours before hers is supposed to leave. Once their flight takes off, we’ll make our move.”
I look out at the ocean again, my mind racing. “I don’t want a goddamn hair on her head harmed.”
“We’ll make sure she’s treated with kid gloves,” Luca says carefully. “We’ll have to explain enough to make her understand the urgency but not so much that she’s overwhelmed.”
I exhale deeply, the responsibility weighing heavy on my shoulders. “I want her brought straight to me.”
Luca nods, understanding the gravity of the situation. With one last look, he turns and leaves to finalize the arrangements.