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)
“But for now…”
She nodded. “I’ll stay at the estate.”
“Nonna is thrilled with the idea of your being there. Of my being around more. And it will be your home. Change it and make it yours. However it suits you.”
“But not your office or Nonna’s suite.”
“I might let you do something to my office, but yes, Nonna’s suite is to her taste.”
“I was thinking some lace curtains would be lovely in your office. Add a touch of whimsy.”
“I will whimsy you if you add lace in that room,” I growled, grinning when she laughed.
“Noted.”
I slid a finger under her chin and bent down, kissing her. “Thank you. I promise you, Effie. Life will be good with me.”
She smiled and leaned her head back to my shoulder, her gaze once again drifting to the window.
I hated that her eyes still held a trace of sadness.
And I hated that I hated that fact.
I left early for the casino, arriving and heading up to the suite. It felt odd to be there now without Effie. Her scent was still in the room, and I inhaled it into my lungs, the perfume making me feel better somehow. My closet looked empty without her things in it, and I had to remind myself they were all at the estate now. She wasn’t gone; she was at home. My home.
Our home.
The words felt strange, yet oddly right. Effie was my wife. She was at home waiting for me.
I shook my head at my peculiar thoughts and turned my mind to business.
I had only been away a short time, but I had a lot of messages and emails to catch up on. I walked the floor, spoke to managers, and was pleased at how well things had gone while I was out of town.
When I returned to the suite, Aldo was there. He shook my hand with a grin. “You look good, Roman.”
I sat down, reaching for the coffeepot. “I feel good. It was short, but we enjoyed the trip.”
“Effie well?”
“Of course.”
“So it was a good honeymoon.”
“I’ve had no experience with other honeymoons, but I would say it was a success.”
He nodded, looking away. He sat forward, leaning his elbows on his thighs. He had an odd look on his face, and I frowned.
“What?”
“Gregory Santini was in touch.”
Instantly, I was tense. “And?”
“His message was brief. ‘The package has been recovered and disposed of.’”
I sat back. “They found Marianne.”
He nodded.
“And they killed her.”
“Tim did, from the little I got from Gregory. He didn’t want to talk over the phone, and I didn’t want to meet him.”
I nodded. “Good plan.” I turned my chair, staring out the window. I wasn’t upset about Marianne’s death. In fact, the dark side of me hoped she suffered. I did have concerns about telling Effie, though. I had to admit, I was worried about my wife.
“Why?” Aldo asked.
I turned back, realizing I had spoken out loud.
“Because she’s her sister? Even after what she did?” he asked.
“That, and she is still, ah, emotional over the wedding and everything.”
“Everything?”
I found myself telling Aldo the whole conversation Effie and I’d had. He furrowed his brow. “You told her you had affection for her?” He looked displeased. “Like one would a pet.”
“No, she knows it is different.”
“Does she?”
“Of course,” I snapped, regretting my decision to confide in him. “I care for her. She is my wife, and I will make her a priority. I’m changing my life, shortening my hours, staying at the house. I even agreed to have a baby with her if that was what she wanted. What more does everyone want?”
Aldo laughed, the sound dry. “Something you are not willing to give, obviously.”
“Something I can’t give. I do not have it to give.”
Aldo stood. “If you say so. I’m going to work on the staff budget. We need to work out the schedule for the next while, so when you’re ready, buzz me.”
He left, and I had the distinct impression he was angry with me.
I didn’t understand why everyone seemed so upset by my honesty. The only one who seemed to accept it was Effie.
I shook my head and dismissed Aldo’s ire. I had to figure out how to tell my wife her sister was dead.
I hoped she wouldn’t get overly emotional. As far as I was concerned, the world was better off without Marianne.
But as pointed out to me by the man who had arranged to kill her, women were softer. And I knew Effie’s capacity for forgiveness.
I had no idea what to expect.
I waited until after dinner. I made a special effort to get home early. I was surprised to realize how often Effie drifted into my thoughts. I wondered what she was doing. If she was feeling all right. If the house felt strange to her. I worried that she would feel overwhelmed. Then I wondered when I had started worrying so much over someone other than Nonna. And I couldn’t figure out the niggling feeling of almost missing Effie. I never missed anyone.