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)
She met my eyes. “Was it a gas leak?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“You should have told me that.”
“I know.”
“Are they still after me?”
“They won’t get to you here. I will figure out how to stop them.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
She began to go past me, and I shot my arms out, dragging her close. She didn’t fight me, letting me hold her.
Yet, it felt as if she were a million miles away.
And I wasn’t sure how to get her back.
The call I had been expecting came in the afternoon as Aldo and I went through some numbers and planning for the new building in Ottawa. Vi had Effie downstairs in the spa, having insisted she needed some girl time and spoiling. I agreed to allow it. I had men posted outside the spa so I knew she would be safe. There was no chance of her running again.
Since I had brought her back, she had been quiet, reflective, but calm. I had helped her with the insurance adjuster, and everything was moving forward. She was withdrawn, and there had been no change in our physical relationship, but she did sleep beside me at night. Invariably, I woke up with her on my chest and a raging hard-on. Neither of us tried to do anything about it.
My phone rang, and I glanced at the number. “It’s them,” I announced.
Aldo nodded, and I hit speaker.
“Costas.”
“We need to talk.”
I sat back, simply the sound of Timothy Santini’s voice making me angry.
“Is that so?”
“You took something of great value to us. It cost us a lot of money, time, and frustration. There is a price to be paid for that.” He paused. “You disrupted our business for no reason. There was nothing for you there.”
“I see. So you burned down a diner to show your displeasure?”
“Retribution has to start somewhere,” Gregory rumbled from the background.
“Let me remind you of something. You are not allowed to conduct any of your filthy business in this city, province, or country. You broke those terms.”
“We were not there.”
“Your men were. Your scum were in my territory.”
“It was only temporary.”
“You know what else is temporary, Timothy? My fucking patience,” I snarled.
“What occurred was no business of yours. You broke the terms as well. You killed our men. We are demanding satisfaction. We want the package back.”
I shut my eyes, knowing what I was about to do would forever change my life. Forever change the path for Effie.
“Did you know I became engaged recently, Gregory?”
Aldo began to shake his head, but I kept talking.
Gregory made a spitting sound. “Like I care.”
“You should. The package you want back…is my fiancée.”
There was stunned silence.
“So, I believe it is I who wants satisfaction,” I said slowly.
There were frantic mutterings. Some cursing.
“We must meet. Neutral ground.”
“The convention hall,” I agreed. “Room C as usual. Ten o’clock.”
I hung up.
Aldo looked at me. “What have you done?”
“Stopped a war.”
“And created another huge problem. She is a target now, Roman.”
“She already was. As soon as this shit happened, she became a target. If I didn’t take her, she’d be in some god-awful place having horrendous things done to her, if not dead by now. I’ve been protecting her since the moment I figured out what Marianne had done. When the building was torched, I knew I would have to continue to protect her.”
“We could send her somewhere. Make her disappear. One of your strongholds where she’d live a quiet life.”
“She isn’t leaving here.”
“You care about her. Admit it.”
“I care enough to want to make up for causing this.”
“You’re lying to yourself.”
“Enough.”
He shook his head. “How are you going to play this?”
“I have a plan. We need to bring their money, plus be ready for whatever they ask.”
He narrowed his eyes. “And once the word is out—and it will be—how will you explain this to your brother? Your nonna?”
“Luca will understand. Nonna, well, I suppose she gets her wish. I’ll take Effie there, and I’ll add more security to the estate. They’ll both be safe.”
“You’re going to marry her?”
I shrugged. “I might as well. I have no desire for a wife, but it will send a message. And Nonna will be happy.”
He regarded me. “And Effie?” he asked quietly.
“She’ll accept it.”
He stood and looked at me. “Vi has become very fond of Effie. And she thinks that your relationship would actually work. She thinks Effie suits you. And, oddly enough, that you suit Effie. She says Effie is too good for this world and she needs someone like you to protect that goodness. But don’t destroy her, Roman. Don’t compound this by keeping her a prisoner the rest of her life. You’re better than that. If you’re going to marry her, give her what she deserves. What you deserve.”
“Which is?”
“Honesty. A home. Children. Build a relationship with her. Have a real life, Roman. Give her love.”