Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Once he’s gone, I look out the window across the acres of the estate. In the distance is a little stone cottage, and I see smoke coming out of the chimney. That’s her father’s house and where Nolia is sleeping tonight. I can’t go to her right now, so it feels like she’s on the other side of the earth.
My chest aches, and I rub at the spot. Why does it keep hurting every time we’re apart?
Chapter Four
NOLIA
The creak of the old wood floor in my bedroom makes my eyes spring open. I slide my hand under my pillow, and my fingers wrap around the handle of the knife. I’d placed it there before I went to bed last night, and now I’m grateful I have it.
“Lia.” The name my dad has called me since I was a little girl has me letting the knife go. “It’s only me.”
It’s not like my dad to just come into my room without knocking or calling my name first. “Is something wrong?” I sit up and turn on the light next to my bed. Only a small amount of light filters through my curtained window, and I can tell it's still early.
“I don’t know. You tell me.” He never misses anything.
Dad is still wearing his robe and slippers. He always has to have something on his feet if he’s not in bed.
“Why don’t we have coffee first, Dad?”
“You don’t drink coffee.”
“You know what I mean,” I manage to say around a yawn.
“I’ll start breakfast.”
“Okay,” I agree, though I don't feel hungry at all. If I don't eat, it will raise more suspicions, and he’ll know for sure something is wrong. After all, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. “No bacon or sausage,” I say and give him a pointed look. He grumbles under his breath but leaves my room.
I’m not going to fight like hell to get us out of here only for him to have a heart attack on me. Now that we've finally got his cholesterol levels under control, he believes he should be allowed to have cheat days.
Snatching my hair tie from off my dresser, I pile my hair on top of my head before I pull back the curtains to peek at the big house.
It took me forever to fall asleep last night. I’d so badly wanted to sneak back inside to see if Luca was okay. If Marco didn’t buy his story, for all I know, Luca could already be dead. At that thought, I let the curtains drop and rub the burn that lights in the center of my chest.
Why am I so concerned about a man who is only using me? Not that I’m any better. Technically I’m using him too, but I don’t want to go there. I rush through getting ready for the day, grabbing a pair of overalls and my favorite boots.
This is pretty much my standard outfit for work. I don’t put on a speck of makeup or do anything with my hair. I always end up putting a hat on anyway because it helps keep the sun off my face. It also plays down the fact that I’m a girl. I make every effort to blend in and avoid drawing attention from the men around here.
Dad has already placed our breakfast on the small dining table situated in a nook off the kitchen. My gaze once again strays through the bay windows toward the big house. Would they keep him in the guest quarters? If that’s where he ended up, I should tell him they are watched closely. I’m sure Luca already knows that. He didn’t make it this long in this world without being smart.
“Looking for something?” Dad asks, and I realize I wasn’t being as sneaky as I thought.
“Just seeing what the weather is going to be like today.” It’s not a total lie. I will be out there working all day, and I usually check before we leave.
“Eat.” Dad pulls out his chair and takes a seat. He lets out a small groan, and I know his knees are hurting him. By the end of the day, they will be killing him, and he’ll limp home. I hate it.
I take a seat next to him and pour the syrup over my pancake. “Have you ever thought about getting a job where you don’t have to move around so much?”
“No, my place is here.” I fight not to roll my eyes. “Lia, this is the life I’m used to.”
"Just because you're accustomed to something doesn't mean you should continue doing it." I shove a giant bite of pancake into my mouth. Not only does this prevent me from saying more, but as soon as I finish my plate, I can go check to see if Luca is around. Or I suppose I can wait for him to find me. I want to be in the garden, and he knows I work there. I don’t think he could come down to the cottage without someone taking notice.