Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
"I don't want a normal life," he says resolutely. "I want trouble."
Chapter 14
Raphael
It's been three days since I took Willa back to Dove and Nox's place. Three days of going fucking crazy, trying not to be overbearing and hover over her like a fucking shadow.
On the day I drove her back, I broke things off with Elise. She was pissed to say the least. Since then, I've been staying in my apartment, waiting for her to get her stuff out of my place. I have a feeling I'll have to sell the penthouse. I can't stay there with Willa, not now that Elise has been there. Maybe Willa can help me pick out another place where we can live together.
I shake my head to get the thoughts out. I'm letting this go too far. I need to take things slow if I want to earn Dove and Nox's respect. Right now, they fucking hate me more than ever.
The other problem is, yesterday another blackmail note arrived. This one had photos of me with Willa, with an ominous note scribbled on it.
Get rid of the girl, or I'll ruin her life and yours with it.
I still don't know who's sending these cryptic messages. I don't think it's Nox – he would never threaten Willa. But who has it in for me? Who wants to see me and my girl break up?
I crumple the photograph in my hand and throw it into the trash can before sauntering out of the office. Dylan's leaning against my receptionist's desk, chatting her up, and I grin at them as I pass.
"Heading out, Mr. Santino?" the woman asks with a timid smile. "We'll see you on Monday."
"Indeed," I nod. "Take care, don't forget to lock up."
As I take the elevator to the underground garage, I try not to get too excited about tonight. Still, it's the first time I'm seeing Willa since I took her back home. I feel like a goddamn teenager as I drive my Mercedes to her parents' place. She's already waiting on the curb, but unfortunately for me, so are Dove and Nox.
They glare at me as I get out of the car and I nod at them mutely before Willa throws herself at me, jumps into my arms and wraps her legs tightly around my waist.
"I missed you," she breathes against my neck.
"I missed you too, trouble." I kiss her hair and let her down before facing the music. Her parents seem pretty fucking pissed and I'm surprised my bones are still intact since Nox looks ready to pop a blood vessel.
"We want her back by midnight," Nox spits at me.
"You got it."
"No drugs, booze, or anything we wouldn't approve of," Dove cuts in, throwing me an icy stare.
"Wouldn't dream of it." I smirk. That bastard Nox always seemed like a kinky fucker to me. I'm sure he's done worse to his wife than I'm about to do to his daughter.
I have to admit it, being in a position where I get to annoy the fuck out of Dove's husband is fucking hilarious. I love how the tables have turned.
"I'll see you later," Willa mutters to them before taking my hand and dragging me to an old convertible. "I thought we could take Robin's car."
"Robin?" I narrow my eyes. "Dove's brother?"
I can feel Dove watching us through the window as Willa gets behind the wheel.
"Yeah," she smiles broadly. "They're letting me use it since it's a special occasion."
"You a good driver, trouble?"
"You'll have to find out." She pats the passenger seat. "Get in, I know the perfect place we can go to."
I grin and get in beside her. Before I've even put the seatbelt on, Willa is already racing away from their family home.
"Jesus, trouble," I hiss. "Is this how you drive every day?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Because you're going to kill someone. Pull over."
"What?" She narrows my eyes at me, taking them off the road. People honk as the car veers. "Oops!"
"Willa. Pull over. Now."
She doesn't and I grow angrier and angrier by the second.
"Oh, come on," she teases. "We're almost there."
I sit there in silence, biding my time until we finally start driving uphill and she brings us to a clifftop parking area. There are a few other cars there, parked a way off, and as Willa kills the engine, she gives me a smug smile.
"I always wanted to come up here. Everyone in high school came here to make out."
"Get out of the car."
"Huh?"
"Get out of the car." I open the passenger door while she stares at me in confusion. "Get out or I'll drag you."
Pouting, she gets out and slams the car door. "What the hell, Daddy?"
I don't give her an answer, nor do I acknowledge her obvious bratty attitude. Instead, I pick her up and splay her body on the hood of the car while she yelps.