Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104532 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 523(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104532 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 523(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Sighing, she cuts the engine and leans her head against the backrest. Her expression is wistful as she stares at the vista. “Sometimes, I wonder.”
I look at the profile of her face. “Wonder what?”
“What it feels like to be loved.”
The statement throws me off-kilter. I didn’t expect her to discuss her love life with me. I don’t answer. I’m not crossing that line.
“You love her, don’t you?” she asks, keeping her gaze trained on the skyline.
At the L-word, I give an internal start.
Do I?
Ash’s words repeat in my mind.
Some men aren’t made for love.
I want Violet to love me, but can I reciprocate? Do I have what it takes?
The silence in the car reminds me that Gia is waiting for an answer.
Finally, I settle for, “Define love.”
Unlike my reply, Gia’s comes easily. It slips like a certainty smoothly from her tongue. “Putting someone else’s needs above your own.”
If that’s the case, my answer is yes and no. Yes, I forgave Violet, and I’m doing everything in my power to make her happy. When it comes to our marriage, I can’t say the same. I can’t say I’m sacrificing myself to give Violet what she wants, because Violet never wanted those rings on her finger. Even so, like I vowed, they’re never coming off.
The only honest answer I can give is, “Yes, I love her. In my way.”
That’s the first time I’ve admitted it, not only to another person but also to myself. The hugeness of that statement deserves a moment, but Gia speaks, not allowing me time to digest my confession.
“That’s what I thought.” Gia smiles. “I love my daughter too. More than anyone and anything.”
“I know.”
“I don’t think you do.” She faces me, her gaze burning on mine. “I don’t think you understand the lengths I’ll go to for her.”
“I know why you married Gus, Gia,” I say gently. “Violet told me.”
Her smile turns sad. “Is that what she thinks?”
“Isn’t it the truth?”
“The doctor gave me two choices. Amputate her leg or lengthen it. What would you have done?”
“I’m not judging you.”
“I did what I had to do for my daughter. If given another chance, I’d do it again. I’ll do whatever I have to. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Don’t worry. We want the same thing for Violet.”
She nods again, apparently appeased. “My daughter trusts you.”
That makes me pause. I doubt that very much. “Is that what she said?”
“She said you’d protect her.”
“She’s my wife. I’ll always keep her safe.”
“Can I trust you, Leon?”
Where is she going with this? “Violet is important to me. What and who she cares about matters to me.”
Placing both hands on the steering wheel, she straightens her arms. “How well do you know my husband?”
“Well enough.”
She faces forward again. “Then you’ll know that Gus does everything with his own interest in mind.”
“If you’re referring to the promotion—”
“Do you know why he’s incapable of love? Because he doesn’t care about anyone except himself. He’ll never put anyone else’s needs above his own. People like that are dangerous. They can’t be trusted. Other people don’t matter to them unless they can use those people to further their own agendas. They’ll be your best friend today and stab you in the back tomorrow. That’s why it’s easy for them to pull the trigger. In Gus’s world, life comes cheap.”
I don’t answer. She hasn’t told me anything I don’t know. In a twisted way, I should be grateful to Violet for stealing my work and showing me Gus’s true colors.
“Can I trust you, Leon?” she asks again.
“Yes.”
Dropping her hands in her lap, she turns in her seat to face me. “Elliot has something of mine, something I want back.”
I frown. “He stole something from you?”
“Not exactly. He has photos. I want you to get them for me.”
The request comes as a surprise, but then the pieces click together. “He’s blackmailing you.” And I can guess about what. “You had an affair.”
“I want you to find the evidence, both the digital and hard copies, and deliver everything to me,” she says with fervor.
If what I suspect is true, I understand why she wants those photos. If they fall into Gus’s hands, he’ll kill her.
“You want me to hack into Elliot’s computer?” I ask with disbelief.
“I already searched his room and the house. There’s nothing. He must be keeping the proof at the office.”
“You’re taking a hell of a risk telling me this.”
“I know you’re seeing Gus for who he truly is after he gave the promotion he promised you to Elliot. I also know that my daughter trusts you with her life. That’s enough for me.”
“Why me? You could’ve hired a PI.”
“I don’t have any money of my own. Plus, if you’re working for Gus, you’re clever with computers. You’ll know how to hack into Elliot’s desktop. Not to mention, you work in the same building. It can’t be too difficult to find a moment to go through Elliot’s desk.”