Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92873 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
She looks well-fucked when I help her into the car three hours later. I bundled her into a thick coat, but the day is cold. I shift closer to her on the backseat. She surprises me by resting her head on my shoulder. The act may seem small and insignificant, but to me, it’s huge. It’s so enormous that I freeze, too afraid I’ll break the spell if I move.
At the airport, I escort her to the private lounge. Once she’s eaten a light lunch, I dial Ryan on speaker and hand her my phone. She held up her end of the bargain. Powell agreed to the deal. We shook hands on it. Signing the contract is a simple formality. It’s only fair that I honor the agreement I made with my wife.
She tilts her head, looking at me with a question and hope in her eyes.
“Your brother,” I say, unable to prevent the harshness of my tone. The fact that he killed my mother and sister will never change.
She reaches for the phone uncertainly, as if she’s afraid that I’ll snatch it away, and takes it with a shaky hand. “Ryan?”
“Sabella! How are you?”
“I’m good. How about you?”
I don’t give her privacy. I listen with attention to every word she says. She asks about everyone, posing the most questions about the kids, and finally reminds Ryan that he hasn’t sent her a photo. The bastard tells her he’s been busy and that it slipped his mind, but he promises to send some straight away.
“How’s Mom coping with Laura and all that?” she asks, lowering her voice and turning her face away to scavenge what little privacy she can get.
“The dust has finally settled,” Ryan says. “Everyone can go back to their lives now.” He pauses. “I suppose everyone but…”
“Me?”
“That came out wrong.”
“Is Daisy still making problems?”
“She realized there’s nothing more for her to inherit and that the business isn’t mine.” He chuckles. “She cooled down quickly after that.”
“Tell me more about Brad’s milestones,” Sabella says with enthusiasm.
“There’s not much more to tell. Do you think you’ll come visit?”
Our gazes lock when she looks up. I shake my head.
She shifts on her seat. “I, um, don’t think so.”
I hold out my hand.
“I have to go. Will you tell everyone I love them?”
“I’ll give them your message. We love you too. Take care, sis.”
Taking the phone from her, I end the call.
She bites her lip and turns her face to the glass wall through which the runways and parked Boeings are visible. I know she’s practicing self-control, trying not to cry. If speaking to her family only serves to make her sad, I’m not sure calling them is a good idea.
A part of me wants to take her in my arms and soothe her, but she’s withdrawing because she doesn’t want me to witness her weakness. Respecting the unspoken wish, I get up and walk to a quiet corner from where I have a visual on her before making another call.
The guard picks up immediately.
“How are things at the new house?” I ask.
“Everything is in order, sir.”
“Have you widened the perimeter of your watch?”
“Yes, sir. We’re keeping an eye on the road and all entry points.”
“Focus on the forest and the surrounding terrain too. If anyone decides to visit on foot, they’re not going to use the road.”
“With respect, sir, no one knows the area surrounding the house is being watched. We’re staying out of view. The terrain is rocky. There’s a very good chance that any unsuspecting visitor will come via the road.”
“Just cover the whole area.”
“Yes, sir,” he says again.
I end the call and pull up the app that’s connected to the cameras I asked Fabien to discreetly install when he redecorated Sophie’s temporary room. There’s one in each room, showing every angle. Sophie and Heidi are in the kitchen, rolling out dough. Sophie is chatting away, her lips constantly moving, but I don’t activate the sound. Knowing they’re safe is the only purpose for now.
“Sophie is happy,” I tell Sabella when I return to my seat. “She’s baking with Heidi.” I don’t mention the cameras. I love her, but I don’t trust her. It’s better not to put all my cards on the table.
“That’s good,” she says, perking up. “I’m looking forward to seeing her.”
My voice holds a warning. “Don’t get too attached to her, bella.”
She gives me a wounded look. “You said you’d try the local school if Mr. Powell signed the deal. Didn’t he?”
“He did. I just don’t want you to harbor false hope or unrealistic expectations.”
“It’ll work out.” She smiles. “You’ll see.”
I also don’t tell her that the plan was always to move Sophie back in with me, regardless of where she goes to school. Why make her hate me more when I can delay it with another couple of weeks?