Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
“My security system didn’t prevent the thefts,” Miranda acknowledged. “Two weeks ago, a young woman came in and looked around. She was clearly a tourist, not unusual. I could tell she had money from the way she was dressed, but I was very suspicious of her behavior. She paid attention, without seeming to, to the cameras in the store. Also, the lights. I thought that was strange. She wore a thin pair of gloves the entire time, but she kept touching this one little clutch I had. It was beautiful, and it was one of the items that disappeared overnight. I believe she got in that evening somehow after I closed the store.”
Alarm radiated through Amaranthe. The boutique had been visited at night by a shadow rider—a woman. She was certain of it. “Did you do anything different that day?”
Miranda nodded. “Normally, I’m open until eight on Fridays, but I had an appointment. A dear friend had flown in from Paris. I closed at six.”
Closing early had most likely saved her life. The riders had come to kill to her, just as they had Geno’s other relatives and his parents, but Miranda had been safely having dinner with a friend.
“Have you seen that woman since?”
Miranda nodded. “Just recently. Every morning before I come to work, I have coffee in that little café across the street. I like to people watch. She came into the square with a man yesterday morning. He was older by a good fifteen or twenty years, although I didn’t think he was her father. Not a lover, either. He seemed to be giving her orders. In any case, she was very attentive. She listened and kept nodding her head. Twice she looked toward my shop.”
Amaranthe took the coat Miranda held out to her without seeing it. She raised her stricken gaze to Miranda’s. She was being targeted for murder. There was no doubt in Amaranthe’s mind, but why? What had Miranda done that would bring these murderers down on her? Simply because she was a distant relative of Geno’s? Did they hate his family that much?
If these people were willing to murder Miranda simply because she was related to Geno, surely Stefano had to know they would be willing to kill his children and wife. The more she thought about it, the less sense it made that Stefano had held back the information Nicoletta had provided. He had a wife and children he loved. What difference did it make to acknowledge there had been another family in Australia that was no longer working in Queensland?
Geno, these murderers are targeting Miranda. I think they are going to come here tonight or possibly tomorrow night.
There was silence while Geno considered what she told him. Details.
She repeated everything Miranda had said to her while she pretended to look over the details of the beautiful jacket the former model had placed in her hands.
At once the door opened and Geno came striding in with his bodyguards. His energy filled the store. Not just his energy, but his presence. He was a big man, and he seemed to dominate the wholly feminine space. His dark eyes glittered with menace. He looked very intimidating.
Amaranthe held up the coat. “What do you think?”
“I think you should put it on for me. It looks as if it might be a little big for you, but it is beautiful.”
For the first time she really looked at it. It was gorgeous. She wanted it to fit, but Geno was right. It did look like it might be too big.
“It’s supposed to fit oversized,” Miranda murmured. “You’ll see. I think it will be perfect for you.”
Geno took the jacket and held it for her so she could slip her arms in the sleeves. It felt amazing on her, as if she was wrapping herself in a cocoon of warmth.
If I have to step into a shadow, I’d have to shed the jacket. Just drop it and go. It would be such a shame to lose it. I already love it, Geno, and I haven’t even looked in a mirror.
“Miranda’s right, Danzatrice Ombra, you look beautiful. The jacket looks as if it were made for you. We’ll take it.”
Fiero, Donte or one of the others will retrieve for you. Anything you need to leave behind, they’ll keep safe for you, Amara.
What are we going to do about Miranda?
Tell her the truth and then take her place each night until they come for her.
Relief swept through her and with it a kind of overwhelming emotion she was unfamiliar with. Geno might be devastated by what had taken place between Stefano and him, but he would never allow anything to keep him from protecting those around him.
“What time are you closing the store tonight, Miranda?” Geno asked as he walked up to the counter with Amaranthe.