Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“It’s all right, Effie,” I soothed. “Nothing can hurt you here. I’m with you. You’re safe.”
“She tripped me,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “She tripped me so I couldn’t get away.”
I tightened my hold. “I know, baby.”
“She was willing for me to be sold to God knows who.” Effie swallowed repeatedly. “She didn’t care what they did to me.”
“She’s a selfish bitch.”
Her trembling increased, and her rapid breathing became labored. I lifted her into my arms, and she buried her face into my neck. The trembling had become violent, and with a low curse, I carried her down the steps and out to the car. My men sprang into action when they saw us, opening the back door and making sure I got in quickly, still holding Effie.
“Get us back to the hotel fast,” I ordered.
As we pulled away, I looked over my shoulder.
Effie was never going to be able to live there again. She would never get over what happened in that room. She would never feel safe again.
I pulled out my phone and sent a text.
CHAPTER 15
EFFIE
Ididn’t recall much of the car ride or anything else until Roman set me on the sofa in his suite, sitting on the coffee table in front of me. He framed my face with his hands, staring at me.
“Tell me what to do.”
I drew in a shuddering breath, shaking my head. “I’m okay.”
“You are far from okay, Effie.”
“That was embarrassing,” I whispered. “For you. I’m sorry.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I embarrassed you.”
“You did nothing of the sort. I’m the one who owes you an apology. I should have known how you would react being back there.” He stood, yanking his fingers through his hair. “Jesus. I take you back to the place you experienced a life-altering, horrific event, and you’re apologizing to me?” He sat back down again, taking my hands. “It is I who should apologize to you. I should have thought that through. Refused to let you go upstairs.”
“I probably wouldn’t have listened.” I smiled ruefully. “I am a little stubborn.”
He lifted a hand, tracing my cheek. “You are,” he agreed. “I like that. You talk back to me at times. Not many people do.”
“Good for your ego,” I quipped.
He grinned. “There she is.” He leaned close, pressing his mouth to my forehead. “What can I get for you?”
“Some tea would be nice.”
He nodded and went to his desk, picking up the phone. I didn’t understand how he did it. In his arms, I felt safe. In his presence, I felt protected. Vi described him as lethal, and I believed her. I had seen glimpses of his anger. Felt his intense aura when he was close. Sensed the danger he carried with him.
Yet the man who made love to me last night was different. The man who held me and whispered gentle words of reassurance in my ear earlier was warm and caring. Still powerful, commanding, and intense, but softer. Kind.
I had discovered two very different sides of Roman Costas.
He returned, sitting in front of me again. “Tea and some food will be up shortly.”
“Thank you.” I smiled, trying for levity. “I guess my plants still didn’t get any water.”
“I asked Margi to go up and do it.”
“Thank you. I don’t think I’ll be ready to go back for a few days.”
He opened his mouth to say something, then shut it. “We’ll cross that bridge later. I want you to eat. I can get Vi to come see you. I have work.”
“I don’t need a babysitter. I’ll be fine. Now I know about your nonna’s suite, I can watch TV. I have my Kindle. I’m good.”
“Are you sure? She enjoys your company.”
“I like hers too. But I’m fine. In fact, I would like to be alone, I think.”
There was a discreet knock, and he opened the door, taking the tray. He slid it onto the table, indicating I should join him. He lifted the lid, looking pleased at the array of sandwiches and another one of pastries. He poured the tea into a cup, the steam drifting upward, bringing the scent of bergamot with it. He had remembered I liked Earl Grey and made sure that was what was sent up. He added some sugar to the cup and slid it in front of me.
“Drink.”
ROMAN
She picked up the cup, sipping, and sighed softly. “Lovely.”
I studied her face. She was still pale, and there was a slight tremor to her hand, but she was calm. She was stronger than she thought she was.
I added a sandwich and a pastry to a plate and handed it to her. She nibbled at it, eating more of the sweet than the savory, and I didn’t say anything. I ate a couple of sandwiches and drank the coffee I’d had sent up.
“If I asked, would you rest?”