Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
The cooked meal earns me a grateful smile from my priest. “Thank you. With you and Rosa always bringing me food, I don’t have to worry about it.”
“You’re welcome. I love cooking.” I pull the shopping list from my handbag. “I thought it would be nice to have cannolis at the next service.”
Father Parisi waves a hand. “You’re in charge, so whatever you want to bake is good with me. How much will you need?”
I show him the list and the total I’ll need to buy all the ingredients, and while he takes the cash out of a small box, I ask, “Should I order roses for the next flower arrangement?”
He makes a grumbling sound. “Whatever you feel like.”
Even though he always accepts my ideas, I run them by him out of respect.
As Father Parisi hands me the cash, his eyes lock on me. His eyebrows draw together, and while he sits down again, he asks, “Are you getting enough rest? You look tired.”
I let out a chuckle and shake my head. “Wow, it’s the second time I heard that in the last few days. I’ll put in more effort with my appearance.”
Feeling self-conscious, I pull the lightweight cardigan I’m wearing tighter around myself. Even though it’s hot outside, I have to wear something with long sleeves to hide the bruises on my arms. My summer dresses are also a no-go, so I’m stuck wearing jeans to cover my legs.
Father Parisi tilts his head, concern etched into the lines on his face. “That’s not what I meant. Is everything okay at home?”
Not wanting to talk about my dire circumstances, I nod as I climb to my feet. “I better get the order for the flower arrangement to Rosa.”
Shaking his head because I didn’t answer him, he mutters, “I’m here whenever you want to talk.”
I force a smile to my face as I whisper, “I know. I just don’t want to talk about it right now.”
“I won’t pressure you.” Letting out a sigh, his eyes lower to the paperwork on his desk. “See you on Sunday, Tori.”
“Have a good week,” I murmur before slipping out of the office.
I love Tuesday and Sunday mornings because it’s the only time I’m guaranteed not to be around Giorgio.
Honestly, he’s been an absolute nightmare since the incident at Piccola Sicilia. I’ve done my best to stay out of his way, but I'm shouted at every time he gets home. The beatings are also happening more and more regularly.
It feels as if the violence is escalating, and the worry keeps me up at night.
As I walk the couple of miles between the cathedral and Rosa’s flower shop, my thoughts turn to the Parish’s money in my handbag. It might be enough for a train ticket, but just thinking about stealing it has me making the sign of the cross.
Forgive me for my impure thoughts, Father.
The sun beats down on my head, and soon, I feel uncomfortable from the heat.
Suddenly, a black SUV pulls up beside me, and I give the vehicle a cautious look as I pick up my pace.
When I hear a door open, I glance over my shoulder, and seeing Angelo, I come to a dead stop on the sidewalk.
Oh, God. I’m seeing way too much of the man.
Without greeting me, he asks in a demanding tone, “Where are you going?”
I point down the street. “To Rosa’s flower shop.”
“Get in,” he orders, gesturing to the backseat with a nod of his head.
Ugh.
I let out a heavy breath as I walk to the SUV, and with apprehension tightening my stomach into a hard ball, I slide into the backseat.
Angelo climbs in beside me, which has me moving closer to the other door so there’s more space between us.
My heartbeat speeds up, and a shiver rushes up my spine.
I know I should be grateful to be out of the scorching summer heat, but the last place I want to be is stuck in a car with one of the Cosa Nostra’s leaders.
“It’s too hot to walk,” he mutters. Giving me a side glance, he grumbles, “Why are you dressed so warm?”
I wrap my arms around my middle and squeeze my body against the door as I lie, “It was cool when I left the house.”
Forgive me, Father.
Without an order from Angelo, Big Ricky drives toward Rosa’s store. A heavy silence fills the air, and I’m so freaking conscious of the dangerous man beside me I can’t stop my body from trembling.
I also can’t help but notice how attractive he is, and it makes a weird sensation flutter through my abdomen.
Angelo doesn’t try to start a conversation with me, and when Big Ricky stops the vehicle in front of the store, I let out a relieved breath.
Forcing a thankful smile to my lips, I glance at Angelo. “Thank you for the ride.”