Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
I cried for Matteo, I cried for my dad, and then I cried for myself.
I had a real pity party, and it went on for quite some time. I tried to pull myself together, but it was just too hard. I’d spent years doing everything I could to keep from falling apart, and now that the dam had broken, I couldn’t seem to reign it back in.
Thankfully, my tears eventually ran dry, and the clouds slowly lifted, giving me a chance to start putting things into perspective. I might not have approved or condoned Billy’s profession—I might’ve actually hated the very thought of it, but had he not been there the night I was shot, I wouldn’t have survived. I wouldn’t be here contemplating my future because I wouldn’t have one.
It was that thought that gave me the clarity I needed. I got out of bed, went to the bathroom, and washed my face. I took a couple pain relievers, then headed out to find Billy. When I got to the living room, I found him sitting on the sofa with a solemn look on his face. As soon as he spotted me, he stood and asked, “Are you okay?”
“I’m better now.” I gave him a little shrug. “I just needed to work through some things.”
“I get it. You had a lot to take in.”
“I’m glad you understand.” I walked over and sat down on the sofa, then waited as he sat down next to me. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“What happens if Antonio finds out what you did? What if he finds out I’m still alive?”
“I’m doing everything in my power to make sure that never happens.”
“But if he does, won't he try and kill us both?”
“I imagine he will try, but I give you my word, Everleigh. I won’t let him hurt you. Not again.”
Billy had risked everything to save me, and he was continuing to take risks which led me to ask, “Do you regret helping me?”
“No, not even a little.” He leaned toward me and placed his hand on mine as he whispered, “I’ve made some questionable choices in my life, but saving you wasn’t one of them. I’d do it again without hesitation.”
Damn.
I had to give it to him. He knew exactly what to say and how to say it. And with the way he was looking at me with such a mix of reverence and longing, I was positively spinning. After everything I’d been through, you wouldn’t have thought I’d been so drawn to a man like him, but I was.
I most definitely was, and I had no idea what to do about it.
Billy must’ve sensed my quandary and asked, “Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?”
“Yeah, but it was ages ago.”
“Would you feel up to taking a ride into town? We could grab you some new clothes and a bite to eat.”
“You think that’s a good idea? What if someone sees us?”
“Well, we’ll both be wearing helmets, and where I’m planning to take you is small and very remote. I highly doubt anyone will recognize you there.” When I didn’t immediately respond, he started backpedaling. “But if you’d rather, we can just stay here and...”
“No, I would love to take a ride,” I interrupted. “I think the fresh air would do me good, and I would kill for some clothes that actually fit.”
“Then, that settles it.” He stood and started toward the door. “Just give me a minute to get things together, and we’ll be off.”
“What about me? What do I need to do?”
He glanced down at my feet, and when he saw that I was still wearing the slippers he’d given me, he replied, “Go to my bedroom and check my closet. See if you can find some more appropriate footwear and maybe a jacket.”
“Okay, I can do that.”
While Billy was out in the garage, I went to his bedroom to check out his closet, and it was a sight to behold. All of his shirts and pants were neatly pressed and arranged by color. The same held true for his ties and shoes. It was just another one of his little quirks—the very ones I used to find odd, but for some crazy reason, I now found endearing.
I didn’t have time to think about it, so I grabbed a pair of his boots and slipped them on. Once I’d adjusted them, I gave myself a quick look in the mirror, and I looked positively ridiculous in Billy’s baggy, black sweats, and boots. I looked even more ridiculous when I slipped on one of his jackets that was two sizes too big, but I didn’t care.
I was finally getting out of the house for a bit, and nothing could dampen the moment. I gave myself one last glimpse in the mirror, then went out to the garage, where Billy was getting things prepared for our ride. When I walked up, he offered me a helmet and said, “Put this on.”