Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 141532 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141532 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
This was worse than it would have been had Marzio been talking to her about her father’s death. She feared that subject was coming next. She glanced toward the door. One of Marzio’s sons, Benedetto, leaned against it. He was a good-looking man and very serious. There was no laughter in his eyes, just that focused stare that told her his leopard was very close. She sent up a silent prayer that Jewel didn’t suddenly decide to rise.
“Marzio, it is too late to have this conversation, although I appreciate your concern.”
“He can be challenged.”
Her gaze jumped across the room to Alessandro. At the same time her heart accelerated, and every leopard in the room heard. She shook her head. “Don’t let any of your sons try that, Marzio, please. First, I know I am his mate. I know it. I can’t say in all honesty that I’m not nervous sometimes, but I can say I know I’m supposed to be with him. You can’t defeat him in a fight. None of you can.”
The moment the words were out of her mouth, she wished she could take them back. These men, his sons, were strong, healthy and full of pride. She had just as much as told them she didn’t think they were nearly up to challenging Mitya or his leopard—which she didn’t, but she should have been far more careful.
“You know a little of his past, Marzio. I know quite a bit more. His leopard is a fighting machine. In any case . . .” She made a move to stand. “Mitya is my choice.”
Marzio laid a gentle hand on her knee to keep her from moving. “If this is your choice and I can’t persuade you to listen to reason, I will have to accept it. Just be aware you have allies in the Caruso family. Your father was a friend I cared about. Do you know who was behind the supposed robbery? He spoke to me a few times right after the shooting occurred and he indicated at that time that he believed his family had been targeted.”
She lifted her gaze to Marzio’s. He was telling the truth as far as she could tell. He probably had discussed the subject with her father. They had been close friends prior to the shooting. She couldn’t tell by looking into his eyes whether or not he was her greatest enemy. A betrayal from him would have been devastating to her father. Would Antosha have told her if he suspected Marzio had betrayed him?
It was difficult to resist looking at Kiriil or Matvei, but it wouldn’t have done her any good. They would be wearing expressionless masks and looking right through her, pretending they didn’t hear a word.
“My father discussed this with me a few times, but he was as clueless as I am. I believe, as you do, that someone targeted my family. They made a couple of attempts on me as well.”
The moment she admitted that the room went electric. Marzio suddenly looked different. Healthy. Younger. In much better shape. He also looked furious. “What did you say?” It came out a whisper, but at the same time it was loud, the sound carrying through the room with a dark menace.
Ania realized she didn’t really know this man any more than she knew Mitya, although she’d been raised from her childhood in and out of the Caruso household. Like Mitya, none of the brothers had shown interest in her until her leopard began to emerge. Was there anything such as love in a leopard relationship anymore? She knew Marzio loved Ann. Her father had loved her mother. Her grandparents always showed love for each other. But Mitya? His cousins? Maybe they weren’t capable of real love. Their fathers had tried to beat it out of them. Had they succeeded?
She feared she could fall hard for Mitya, really love him. He needed someone to love him, to show him a gentler way, but if he didn’t return her affections, their relationship ultimately wouldn’t work. She would need to know she wasn’t second to her leopard. She wanted to be loved the way her father had loved her mother. Still, she had made the commitment, promised herself—and him—she would try.
“Ania? Someone tried to kill you?”
She nodded slowly. “Actually, one of the times was that day you called to have me look at the two cars that were vandalized.”
“A setup, using our family,” Marzio hissed. “And more than once. Tell me what happened.”
He sounded like her father. “I was nearly home, and they used the same setup as they did with my grandparents. I was raised around cars and driving. I could see it was a trap. There were two cars, one chasing and one waiting. I was able to get away.”
“This makes no sense, to go after you. Why was your entire family targeted?”