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)
“Um, Effie—”
I cut her off. “Effie will be fine. I will handle this for her.”
“Will she reopen?”
I stared at the smoldering ruins, knowing I was about to make Effie hate me even more than she already did after last night.
“No.”
In the car, I looked at Aldo. He was calm, returning my gaze. “They know.”
“Yes.”
“That was retaliation—at least the start.”
He nodded.
“They’ll come after me next. Try to get to her.”
“No. They’re frightened of you. They will make contact, though. They’ll want compensation.”
I leaned my head back. “Yes.”
“I upped security at the estate and the hotel. They are scouring the building and parking areas. Everyone is on high alert.”
“Effie…” I trailed off. “Fuck, I have no idea how to tell her. She’ll hate me more than ever.”
“What happened last night, Roman?”
“It got heated. Things…happened.”
“Is she okay?”
“Yes. But she is angry.”
“There is a fine line between love and hate.”
I barked out a laugh. “I know which side of the line I’m on, Aldo. And after I tell her that her home and business are gone, that line will never be crossed again.”
“Have you told her about the Santini brothers yet? How they found her?”
“No.”
“Maybe it’s time you tell her the whole story. Let the chips fall where they may.”
I stared out the window. I already knew how they would fall.
Into dust, never to be whole again.
Effie was in the chair in the bedroom, her Kindle open on her lap. She wasn’t reading, though, but staring out the window. I studied her from the door. She looked as exhausted as I felt. Last night had flipped something in her, and I was about to add to it. I only hoped she could handle it.
I walked in and sat on the bed, facing her.
She tilted her head, studying me. She must have seen something in my expression, and she closed the device, leaning forward. “Roman, what is it?” Her eyes widened, and she reached out to clutch my arm. “Is it Nonna V?”
I was surprised she touched me, and I took full advantage of it and covered her hand in mine. On some level, I was pleased over her concern for Nonna, but it didn’t surprise me that she put aside her own feelings to reach out and care. “No, Nonna is fine. But I have bad news.”
Her hand tightened. “Tell me.”
“Bagels and Bites burned down this morning.”
She blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Your building burned down. I’m sorry, Effie, there is nothing left.”
“But how—why? How did you know?”
“Aldo got a call from the police. Margi had given my name, and when they couldn’t reach me, they called him. We went to the scene right away.” I gripped her hand. “It’s all gone, Effie.”
I watched the news sink in. Myriad emotions played across her face. I saw that inner core of strength inside her tighten and come alive.
“Was anyone hurt?” she asked, a tremor in her voice.
“No. Margi worked ahead yesterday, so no one was there.”
“Thank God for that,” she whispered. “It’s all gone? My apartment too?”
“Yes.”
“Oh God. What do I do?”
“You have your insurance information?”
“Yes, it’s all in the files you brought over.”
“I’ll help you with all that.”
She stood. “I want to go there. Now.”
“No, Effie. The place is crawling with firefighters and police.”
“I have to see it.”
“There is nothing to see. You don’t want to look at a smoking ruin.”
Suddenly, her anger flared. “Stop telling me what I want, Roman. How to feel. What to do. I know you rescued me, but stop it. You don’t own me.”
“You think because I rescued you, I think that?”
“I have no idea what you think.”
“What I think is you’re not going anywhere.”
She pushed past me and headed to the bathroom. She slammed the door, and part of me was grateful for her anger—even if it was directed at me. It showed her resilience. Her strength. She was going to need that.
I went to my desk, waiting for her. She couldn’t stay in there forever.
She came out, her face pale, her eyes damp but calm.
“I want to go to the spa. I need a massage.”
I was surprised but pleased. “I’m sure that you do.”
“Maybe a facial.”
“You can have any service you want.” I picked up the phone. “I’ll arrange it and take you down.”
“I can go down on my own,” she informed me haughtily.
“You need a passcode to do that.”
“It’s 6984,” she replied.
“Vi gave it to you?” I asked, angry.
“I watched her punch it in. I’m not stupid.”
I drew in a deep breath. “It only works on that elevator.”
She crossed her arms. “I am well aware of that. I also know any other floor would have your men stationed at the door. I’m quite sure I’m safe getting a massage.”
I called the spa, angry. I instructed the manager that Effie was coming down and to give her anything she wanted. I met her baleful gaze as I spoke. “Make sure you get her lunch.”