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)
When he opens his eyes again, the golden flecks are on fire. “What happened then?”
“I grabbed the envelope and my handbag and ran.” I glance around the room. “Maurizio said a car was waiting for me, and I used it to get away from the villa. I also used some of the cash, but the rest should still be in my handbag.” My tongue darts out to nervously wet my lips. “It’s proof that I’m telling the truth.”
“I don’t need any proof, Vittoria.”
My gaze meets his, and we stare at each other for a long moment before I whisper, “I was scared you wouldn’t believe me. That you’d think I k-k-killed Maurizio.” My face crumbles beneath the weight of my guilt, and I lower my eyes to the covers. “I d-did k-kill h-h-him.”
He grips my face between his hands and forces me to look at him again. “No, you didn’t, Vittoria. It was an accident. You didn’t kill anyone, and even if you did, it would be self-defense.”
Desperately needing to believe him, I nod.
His eyebrows draw together as he says, “Don’t ever run from me again.”
My head bobs up and down. “I won’t.”
He pulls me into a hug, and I hear as he takes a deep breath. “Christ, I was so fucking worried. I died a thousand deaths.” He pulls back again to meet my eyes as his palm brushes over my curls. “I’ll never hurt you, baby. Never.”
I nod again, feeling stupid for thinking he wanted to kill me.
“I’m sorry. I panicked and couldn’t think straight,” I try to explain.
He lets out a heavy breath. “I know.” His eyes caress my face. “Just don’t ever run from me again.”
“I won’t,” I whisper. I wrap my arms around his neck and hold him as tight as I can.
After a while, he asks, “Do you feel better?”
Even though my world is still tainted by the horrific incident, I nod because I feel safe in Angelo’s arms. I didn’t lose him. If anything, it feels as if this nightmare has brought us closer together.
“Do you think you could eat something?” he asks.
I pull back and rub my hand over my burning stomach. “I still feel queasy.”
“Some toast might make you feel better,” he murmurs as he gets up.
When Angelo lifts me into his arms, I don’t bother arguing and rest my head on his shoulder. I close my eyes as he carries me out of the room, so freaking relieved he’s not angry with me.
“How is she?” I hear Big Ricky ask.
“Better,” Angelo answers. “Grab a blanket from the linen closet.”
I open my eyes when Angelo sets me down on the couch, and when Big Ricky hands him a fluffy blanket, he quickly covers me with it.
“I’ll be right back.” He glances at Big Ricky. “Stay with her.”
“Yes, boss.”
Angelo heads to the kitchen, and a moment later, he calls out, “Where’s Rita?”
“She went to pick up Tiny. They should be back any minute,” Big Ricky answers before he looks at me and asks, “How are you feeling?”
I lift the blanket to my chin. “I’m okay.”
He nods and glances over his shoulder. “Do you need help in the kitchen?”
Angelo comes into the living room and grumbles, “Can you make toast for Vittoria?”
“Sure, boss.”
Big Ricky gets up and heads to the kitchen while Angelo comes to sit next to me. I’m hauled onto his lap before his arms form steel bands around me.
Once again, he presses kisses to my hair, and I feel so loved it makes me emotional.
The front door opens, and a second later, Tiny rushes into the living room, a mixture of guilt and panic on his face.
“Tori!”
“I’m here.” I sit up a bit straighter, but Angelo refuses to let go of me.
Tiny darts around the couches as if he didn’t have surgery a couple of days ago and sits down on the coffee table. His worried gaze flits over my face.
“I’m okay,” I say to set him at ease.
“I’m so fucking sorry,” he groans as if it’s his fault everything happened to me.
I reach across to him and grip his hand. “Don’t, Tiny. You were in the hospital. I’m sorry I caused you so much worry.”
His big hand closes around mine, and for a moment, it looks like he’s going to cry, then he mutters, “I’m never leaving you alone again.”
Feeling loved, a small smile plays around my lips. “I’m never going on a trip without you by my side.”
Big Ricky comes into the living room with a small plate and two slices of burned toast.
When Rita gasps, I realize she’s here as well.
“No, no, no! She can’t eat that!” she scolds Big Ricky. “Give it to me.”
Rita grabs the plate and hurries back into the kitchen.
When Big Ricky gives me an apologetic look, I say, “It’s okay. Can I ask a favor?”