Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Shit. I’m not supposed to have caffeine, am I? Or is it okay in moderation? I’m not a hundred percent sure I’m pregnant yet, but I already have to think about this. He’s waiting for an answer, his brows lifting higher the longer I make him wait.
“Sure,” I decide. I don’t have to drink all of it, anyway, but if I refuse it, he’ll know something’s up.
“How was your night?” He would pick today to decide he cares about my life, wouldn’t he? If I didn’t know better, I would swear he’s aware of something being different.
“Too short,” I admit, snickering a little as I pull a travel cup down from the cabinet.
He’s standing too close, leaning on the counter while I pour my coffee. What’s with the lack of boundaries today? Why now, of all times? “I noticed you were up earlier than usual this morning. Everything okay?”
My hand shakes, and I splash a little. “Oh sure. I had to get a little extra homework done before class.”
“I’ll give you credit. I don’t know that I would be so dedicated to my work if I knew I didn’t really need to do it.”
This again. “I’ve always been a serious student. Kind of nerdy, I guess.”
“Like I said, I give you credit.” As he passes, he places a hand on my back. I can’t believe how good it feels, how a ripple of pleasure moves through me. At the same time, I wish he wouldn’t touch me because all it does is make me suspicious. He’s too interested in me this morning.
I’m being paranoid. I know it. And I can’t afford to tip my hand by acting all weird and fidgety.
“I need something to do, anyway. Something to keep my brain busy.” I fix up my coffee, and take a sip, hoping I don’t end up screwing my baby up somehow. I need to get a test. How am I supposed to get a test without him knowing about it? Maybe they have some at the convenience store close to campus, but that would mean getting rid of Paolo somehow. Could I order one online? Again, how can I guarantee I’d be able to get it here without somebody opening the package to see what I ordered? I wouldn’t put it past Enzo to do that.
“Do you want something to eat?” he asks. “We haven’t sat down to have breakfast together in a while. I thought since I had a little time this morning…”
This is torture. It’s absolute torture. Here he is, actually being nice, and all I want to do is get the hell out of this house before he knows for sure there’s something up. “Actually, I was just going to grab a banana and a protein bar or something like that and eat once I get to school. I’m kind of distracted—I have an exam today.” I don’t, but it’s not like he would know either way. I doubt he gets reports from my instructors, no matter whether his name is on my file.
“Okay. Are you feeling all right?”
“Just distracted. Like I said, for some reason, it still matters how I do in school.”
I feel better when he rolls his eyes. “Fine. Have a good day, I guess.”
“You, too.” Paolo is always waiting for me out in the car, and this morning is no exception. I’m glad for that since I wouldn’t want to have to wait around for him and deal with Enzo’s penetrating stare.
He’s going to find out eventually. I need to accept that, just like I need to accept how my life is going to change once he does.
16
ENZO
“We’re close to finding him. Trust me on that.” Prince stands before me, hands clasped behind his back, his chin held high. Defensive, and with good reason, since I’m ready to tear his head off for letting me down.
“Believe you? It’s been weeks since we walked in on that perverted slob jacking off behind his desk. Did Frankie vanish off the face of the earth? How is it possible for someone to disappear the way he has?”
I get up from my desk since anger won’t allow me to sit still. “Are you sure he’s alive?”
“He’s been spotted by various contacts as recently as three days ago. I have eyes in all his usual locations. The minute he shows his face, we’ll be on him. Trust me.”
Again, with the trust me bullshit. Famous last words. “The minute, and I mean the very minute, he shows up, you tell me. I’m not letting him get away with this.” Whatever this happens to be. I still have no proof of wrongdoing. Only a hunch brought forth by a very convenient set of circumstances.
“No one thinks you will. No doubt he’s watching his back. He can’t hide forever.”
No, but he’s done a pretty damn good job of it so far. What could have happened to change his mind and shift his loyalties? I won’t admit to Prince how much sleep I’ve lost over this. I don’t even want to admit it to myself. If a man as highly respected as my grandfather could be double-crossed by someone he trusted, what chance do I have?