Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Renzo sits down on one of the couches and cradles me like a baby while he presses kisses to my forehead and hair.
‘Honey, I want you to meet someone very special,’ Mom says.
I watch as a man comes to crouch in front of me, a kind smile on his face.
‘Hi, Skylar. My name is Harlan Davies. I’m a friend of your mommy’s.’
I bury my face against Renzo’s neck and cry my heart out as the memories start to bombard me.
‘Where could she be?’ I hear Uncle Harlan call out.
Hiding behind the curtains, I let out a chuckle. Suddenly, the curtain’s swept out of the way, and he lifts me into the air.
‘Gotcha!’ He gives me a hug, then taps his cheek. ‘Where’s my prize for finding you.’
I plant a wet kiss on his stubble, then wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Renzo,” I groan, the pain too much for me to handle.
Wrapping his hand around the back of my neck, he pulls me away from his neck until our eyes meet.
“Tell me what to do, amo,” he says, his tone hoarse. “How can I help you get through this?”
I don’t know.
I grip the fabric over my heart as I struggle through the sobs, and Renzo squashes me against his chest again, rubbing his hand up and down my back.
“T-They killed my d-d-dad,” I cry through broken sobs.
“I’m so fucking sorry,” he whispers. “I’m here, amo. You’re not alone.”
“I am!” The words sound devastating to my ears. “I have n-no one l-left.”
“You have me,” Renzo assures me.
“You’re my k-kidnapper,” I argue.
“No. We both know that’s no longer the case.” He presses another kiss to the side of my head. “That ship sailed at the restaurant.”
Somehow, his words manage to calm me down enough that I’m able to stop crying. I rest my head against his shoulder and suck in deep breaths as the storm inside me quiets until everything feels empty again.
“When I say you have me, I mean it, Skylar,” Renzo murmurs. “No more kidnapper and captive bullshit.”
“Will you let me go?” I whisper.
“Where? Back to the mansion?” He lets out a sigh. “No, it’s too dangerous. You’re staying with me so I can protect you.”
I let out a hollow chuckle. “I’ve gone from captive to roommate. I guess I should count my blessings.”
“Fuck no, you’re not my roommate,” he mutters. “Far from.”
Lifting my head, I look into his eyes as I ask, “Then what am I?”
He stares at me for the longest moment before he says, “Mine.” Lifting a hand to my face, he brushes his fingers over my jaw before cupping my cheek. “You’re mine.”
I don’t have to ask him to elaborate. I know exactly what he means.
He’s fallen in love with me. God only knows why, but it happened, and Renzo warned me he’d never let me go.
Do I even still want to leave?
What’s there to go back to…an empty mansion where the memory of Louisa and Dad’s murders will haunt me?
A life where I have no family.
My entire world has been shredded to pieces, and I have no idea how to put it back together again.
Nothing will be the same as before.
With my eyes still locked on Renzo’s face, I try to come to terms with everything that’s happened.
Slowly he leans forward and presses a gentle kiss to my mouth. Pulling back, his gaze drifts over my face, checking my reaction.
How did I manage to make this ruthless man fall for me?
Can I love him back after everything that’s happened between us?
I remember the terror the first week after he took me. The fear of God this man instilled in me. His brutality. The hopelessness of having him keep me imprisoned in his penthouse.
Can I move past it all?
Can I forgive him?
I don’t know.
Nudging me to rest my head against his shoulder, he murmurs, “Get some rest, amo.”
I close my eyes and focus on the feel of his arms around me. I know firsthand how strong he is, and having him be gentle with me makes me feel safe.
It’s been a long while since I felt this way, and it soothes my aching soul.
I let out a deep breath and place my hand against his chest as I press my face into the crook of his neck.
How the tables have turned between us.
Chapter 33
Skylar
I can’t believe Dad’s gone.
Sitting in the living room, I stare at the live stream of the mansion.
Renzo’s men cleaned the foyer, and it’s hard to believe it’s been less than twenty-four hours since Dad and Louisa were killed.
Suddenly, the TV screen goes black, and it’s only then I notice Renzo as he sets the remote down on the coffee table.
Taking his phone from his pocket, he dials a number, and a moment later, he says, “Go to the mansion and remove the four cameras I planted. The one in the kitchen is by the vent. There’s another beneath the railing at the top of the stairs, one by the TV stand in the living room, and you’ll find the last one by the dressing table in the second bedroom on the left.”