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)
Effie rolled her eyes and headed for the door, stopping. “I have no money.”
At my frown, she shook her head. “Tips.”
I pulled out some twenties and handed them to her, then followed her to the elevator. I let her punch in the code, planning on changing it later. She was eerily calm and collected. The door opened, and I swept my arm out. “Enjoy.”
“I will.”
I followed her down the hall, and she opened the door that led to the private entrance of the spa. She turned and looked at me, annoyed. “I can find my own way.”
I lifted my eyebrows and didn’t move. She huffed and walked into the spa, and I heard some greetings being called out. I waited until she spoke, asking about a massage and a mask for her face. Then I turned and went to the elevator, the urge to go sit in the spa strong. She would be angry if I did that. Furious. She needed some time to comprehend what I had told her and to consider her future. And she didn’t want me around while she did.
I hadn’t told her the whole truth. I’d never mentioned the Santini brothers, retribution, or why they were even more dangerous now than before. She would ask more questions, and once she knew how this entire fucked-up situation started, she would never again look at me without hatred in her eyes.
I wasn’t prepared to handle that yet.
But it would happen. Of that, I had no doubt.
I returned to the suite, planning on working until she returned. But I was restless. Unsettled.
Effie was in my building. Safe. She was getting some pampering. Giving herself time to think and come to terms with what had happened.
I reached for her file and found her insurance information easily. She was extremely organized and detail-oriented. I called and left a message for her insurance adjuster, stating I was representing her. I left my number for him to return my call.
After a few more minutes, I called Aldo.
“Put a man outside the spa and one at the elevator.”
“Will do.”
I flipped through some pages in the files on her building. I scanned her mortgage documents, pleased that at least the property value had gone up since she bought it and she would have a cushion. Little comfort to her right now, but it would be one day.
My phone rang, and I hit speaker.
“Costas.”
“She’s gone.”
I stood slowly. “What?”
“Carl was outside the spa and thought he’d let them know he was there. Tammy said Effie changed her mind and decided to go for a walk. She left out the front door that led to the mall before we got there.”
I shut my eyes. The mall door led to the main entrance, which led to the street. I had never ordered the people in the spa not to let her go. They’d have no idea.
Effie knew that. She’d asked me for money, and I’d given her over a hundred bucks. I should have known she wasn’t going to pamper herself in order to feel better. She didn’t do shit like that.
She’d played me.
And now she was out on the streets alone, unprotected, and upset.
“Get my car.”
“Already waiting.”
I smashed down the phone.
I didn’t have to guess where she went. I already knew.
I threw myself into the back seat, not surprised to find Aldo there.
“Temper,” he warned.
“Fuck you,” I hissed. “She is out there, no idea of the price on her head. If they see her before I get there, I’ll never find her again.”
“We will. They won’t be looking there today.”
“They fucking better not be.”
CHAPTER 18
ROMAN
Iworked myself into a frenzy on the short drive. I jumped from the car before it even stopped moving. Scanning, looking. Desperate. My heart hammered in my chest, my rapid pulse echoing in my ears. There was no sign of Effie.
And then I spotted her. Huddled. Alone. Sitting on a decrepit bench across the street, firefighters and police still around. She was staring at the yellow caution tape surrounding the spot where her little diner used to stand. She was a hunched mass of pain, and the sight of her despair killed my anger. Relief flooded my body, and I was shaking as I strode toward her, grateful she was there and unharmed.
I dropped to the bench beside her. She startled, so intent on her lost diner she hadn’t even noticed me. It would have been so easy for the Santinis’ men to have taken her. She wouldn’t have put up a fight. Terror filled me simply at the thought.
“Don’t…” she began.
I held up my hand. “I won’t. I should have brought you. I’m sorry.”
She looked surprised, then turned her gaze back across the street. “There is nothing,” she whispered. “All of it’s gone.”
“You can buy it all again, Effie. I checked your insurance. The value of your property. You can rebuild.”