Series: The Laws of Opposite Attract Series by Vi Keeland
Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 105253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
He smiled. “Yes, you are. Very fine, signorina.”
Billie must’ve heard the commotion. She walked out from the back room. “What happened? Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine,” I said. “Mia just bumped into this man on our way out.”
“Are you okay, Mia?” Billie asked.
But Mia’s eyes were still glued to the guy. “He thinks I’m fine.”
Billie chuckled. “Mia, this is Marcello. He’s a guest tattoo artist here for the next few months. Marcello, this is Mia and Devyn.”
Marcello lifted Mia’s hand to his lips for a kiss. “Sei bella.”
“No hitting on my friends, Marcello,” Billie warned. “Or I’ll send your ass back to that little village you call home in Italy.”
I wasn’t sure Marcello had even heard his boss. He and Mia were locked in one hell of a serious gaze. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
“Earth to Marcello,” Billie said. When he didn’t budge, she stuck two fingers from each hand in her mouth and let out an ear-piercing whistle.
That did the trick. Marcello let go of Mia’s hand and waved goodbye.
Billie rolled her eyes playfully. “Bye, guys. I’ll text you soon about drinks, Dev.”
“Okay, great.”
Mia made it to the door, but abruptly stopped. “Wait! Marcello!”
He turned.
“Are there any cliffs in your village in Italy?”
“Yes. Of course. Many. I live in Positano. Very, how you say…mountainous?”
“Any chance you own a giant yacht?”
Marcello smiled. “A yacht? No.”
I chuckled and pushed the door open. “Let’s go, crazy lady…”
CHAPTER 22
Devyn
To think it started out as a normal Sunday. Heath and Hannah were at the Y, and I was having some alone time, grateful for the quiet.
Everything changed when the phone rang, interrupting my peaceful window-watching and coffee.
“Hello?” I answered.
An automated voice came on the line, asking if I wanted to accept a collect call from a correctional facility.
My heart sank. I just knew.
After I accepted it, I heard her voice, which sounded strained.
“Devyn…”
I blinked. “Mom?”
“I’m in big trouble. I need your help.”
“Where the hell are you?”
“I’m in jail—in Boston.”
It should’ve surprised me, but it didn’t.
“What happened?”
“I can’t talk long. But I need you to come bail me out.”
It felt like steam was coming out of my ears. “Why should I do that?”
“I know I shouldn’t have left.”
I blew out a frustrated breath. “You’re gonna have to act a bit more regretful than that.”
“I’ll explain more when you come.”
“What’s the name of the jail?”
“South Bay Correctional Facility.”
“I can’t believe this,” I muttered.
“Please, just come. I promise I’ll explain everything. It’s very unsafe here.”
Without even answering, I hung up and took a moment to breathe. As much as she didn’t deserve me running to her rescue, I couldn’t leave her there. I needed to get her back here—even if it was just to give her hell.
Owen had a bunch of showings today. The last thing I wanted to do was bother him or ask to borrow his car, which he was using to get from location to location. My next thought was to call Mia, but she had an important event at the new gallery today.
Billie didn’t work on Sundays… While I hated to interrupt her day off, she’d repeatedly offered to watch the kids whenever I needed. I’d told myself I wasn’t going to take her up on it unless I absolutely had to. But this qualified as an emergency.
I rang her.
“Hey, Devyn,” she answered. “What’s up?”
“Billie, I need to ask a favor.” I swallowed. “Can I have Heath and Hannah hang out at your place today? I’ve got to go out of town until probably tonight.”
“Of course, but what’s going on? You sound upset.”
“My mother’s in jail in Boston. I have to go bail her out.”
“Oh my God. What did she do?”
“I don’t know yet. And I’m not sure I care.”
“How are you getting there?”
“I’m gonna rent a car.”
“Are you sure? You can borrow ours. Or what about Owen?”
“I don’t want to leave you and the kids without a car. And I don’t want to interrupt Owen while he’s working. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone exactly. So I’ll feel more comfortable renting one.”
“Okay… Well, tell the kids to come on over whenever. They can hang out for as long as you need. They can spend the night, too.”
“Thank you so much, Billie. I appreciate it. They’re at the Y now, but I’m gonna have them head straight to your place when they get back. I’m not telling them what’s going on yet.”
“No worries. I won’t say anything.”
So grateful for her generosity, I sighed. “Thanks again. I appreciate your help.”
Thankfully, there was a rental car place not too far from the building, and forty-five minutes later, I was able to get a small sedan.
I hit the highway, but grew more anxious with every mile.
At one point, as I continued to drive north on I-95, I got a buzzing sensation in my fingers, like pins and needles from the base of my hand to my fingertips. I gripped the steering wheel, and a rush of heat overtook my body. Then my vision got a little blurry as adrenaline rushed through me.