Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80121 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“Every day,” he said with a proud nod.
“Unbelievable.”
The kitchen door opened, and Bates stepped inside, wearing a full suit like he had a meeting with Cato. “Thought I heard voices in here.” He stepped farther inside with his hands in his pockets, and when he looked at me, there was obvious threat in his eyes. He hated me as much as he did the last time he saw me—when he punched me in the face.
Giovanni stood at the counter across from me and chopped up the ingredients he was preparing for tonight’s dinner. “How are you, sir?”
“Great.” He stopped at the counter close to me and addressed Giovanni without looking at him. “Cato was supposed to meet me here fifteen minutes ago.”
“Must be running late,” Giovanni said. “He’s always so busy.”
Bates leaned against the counter right beside me, invading my personal space, and he watched me eat each bite. He was so close, his cologne burned my nostrils. He was a handsome man like his brother, but he’d definitely inherited the evil gene. “Enjoying your luxurious lifestyle? Quite an upgrade for you.”
“Yes, having my freedom taken away is a dream come true…” I should probably play nice with Bates, but I couldn’t stand him. He was a temperamental son-of-a-bitch. Even if he was just being loyal to his brother, he was over the top in his intensity.
“I think you should be grateful. You’re safe in a mansion while you grow that baby.”
“Until I’m shot in the head.”
Bates grinned. “I can’t wait until that moment comes.”
I turned back to my food and ignored him.
But he continued to stand there.
“Can I help you with something?”
He tilted his head as he examined me. “I think you’re a pain in the ass, but you’re still a beautiful pain in the ass. Maybe I should bend you over this counter and fuck you.”
Cato wasn’t there, but I still felt protected by him. “Cato would kill you.”
“He doesn’t give a damn about you.”
“He’s not a monster like you. Of course he cares.”
Without telegraphing his intentions, he grabbed the blade from the cutting board and pointed the tip right at my neck.
I stilled when the point of the blade pressed hard against my skin. I could feel how cold the knife was. I could even feel the lime juice on it burn my skin when he slightly pierced through. “It’s very difficult to eat lunch when a knife is held at your throat.”
“It must be more difficult with a slit throat.” He gripped the back of my head and held me still. Like an asshole, he played with his prey before he actually made the kill.
“I’m still pregnant, asshole.”
“Yes. It makes you think you’re invincible. Well, bitch. You aren’t.” He poked the knife harder until I started to drip blood.
Giovanni held his position, still at the counter, and watched in horror as Bates tortured me. “Mr. Marino, I really don’t think Mr. Marino would like this.”
Bates pressed his lips to my ear, the smile in his voice. “I don’t think he’d mind.”
Giovanni looked at the door then eyed his supplies on the counter, obviously wanting to interfere, but he didn’t know how. Hopefully, an idea came to mind because he walked out of the kitchen in a hurry.
And left me alone with the asshole. “Cato will hurt you for hurting me.”
“He doesn’t care about you enough. You overestimate your value.”
“And I think you’re blind to what’s right in front of you.” Even though it was dangerous, I threw my elbow into his gut and made him hunch forward. The knife cut me across the neck in the process, but at least I was free. I hopped off the stool and kicked him in the knee.
This time, he was ready for me. The knife was still in his hand so he turned on me with it raised. “I was just playing games. But now, I think I will bend you over the table and fuck you—while this cold steel presses against your neck.”
“You really don’t want to do that.” I held both hands up, ready to get my fingers chopped off as I protected my stomach.
“No. I think I do.” He charged at me with the knife aimed at my throat.
At that moment, Cato ran through the door with Giovanni close behind him.
“Oh, thank god.” I dodged to the side and fell to the ground, knowing Cato would handle his brother.
“What the hell are you doing?” Cato threw himself at his brother, punched him so hard in the face, Bates flew back against the other wall. The knife came loose, and Giovanni snatched it from the floor before he rushed to me.
Bates chuckled from his position on the floor. “That little bitch was talking back to me. Decided to punish her.”
“Liar!” I let Giovanni help me up. “I was eating lunch, and he held a knife to my throat and threatened to rape me.”