Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
“How are you so calm?” Over the last week, not only have I fallen in love with my husband but Carina too. She may laugh along with me when I joke around about trying to kill her brother, but I think if I actually tried, she’d slit my throat. Not that I blame her. I’d do the same for my own sister.
“I have faith in my brother and Gilly.” She gives a decisive nod.
“My father has been the devil for so long in my eyes it's hard not to think he can end us all.”
“I’m sorry you had to grow up with that.” She grabs my hand, giving it a squeeze. I welcome the comfort.
Carina can be feisty, but the girl is a marshmallow in the center. I was always feisty and willful at home to draw the attention away from my sister. It was an act I learned to put on. Bianca might have been a year older than me, but she was soft all over. I knew I needed to protect her from my father.
“I can’t lose him.” I let out a long breath, trying to keep my emotions in check. I’m supposed to be strong.
“You have no idea.” Carina rolls to her side to face me. “My brother is sweet with you. He’s been pulling out all the stops trying to lure you to him. But make no mistake about it, the man is lethal when it comes to protecting his family.”
I think back to that day in the limo. It feels like it was almost a lifetime ago, but it wasn’t. A switch had flipped in Antonio. He’d ended those men without a thought or fear in his eyes. He got out of the limo to face whoever it was attacking us. He didn’t rest until he subdued the threat.
My father would have kept his ass put and waited for his men to handle the situation. He would never intentionally put himself in harm's way. I almost want to laugh. Here I’ve been pretending to be rebellious, and my father was pretending to be some strong leader. Everything is such a façade, and Antonio is going to rip the curtain back. I bet that’s why my father tried to sneak an attack. He’s scared of Antonio.
“Thanks,” I tell her, appreciating that little pep talk that spurred my own.
“Anytime.” She winks at me. “Now, I’ve got an idea. Come on, get out of this bed.”
I sit up as she rolls off the side of the bed but lands on her feet with a hop.
“Can’t we lie here a little longer?”
“I mean, if you really want, but I thought now might be a good time to try and get into contact with your sister.”
“What?” That has me out of bed. “How?”
“If everyone is at this meeting, I’m guessing she’s back home with minimal security?”
“We can’t leave.” As much as I want to go to my sister, I don’t need Antonio getting some alert that I’ve snuck out. I need him to concentrate, and I know he won’t be able to do that if he’s worried about my whereabouts.
“We’re not leaving.” She hooks her arm through mine, leading me out of the bedroom. “You think my brother spent all that money on a fancy boarding school for nothing?”
“I didn’t go to a fancy boarding school, so I’m not following whatever it is you’re saying.” We descend the stairs, our arms still locked.
“Butch.” Carina gives Butcher a chin nod. He glares at her.
“What are you up to?”
“Nothing,” Carina chirps at him. “Going to the library is all.”
Butcher grunts a response, clearly not buying it.
He follows after us. He stops when we enter the library but lingers in the doorway. I know Butcher wouldn’t hurt me, but he still freaks me the hell out. There is an emptiness behind his eyes.
Carina grabs a laptop off the table. “You stand here.” She actually places me in front of the chair in the corner of the room before she drops into it.
“What are you doing?”
Carina opens the laptop and wiggles her fingers. “Gonna see if we can get a peek into the Larone home. You said your father has cameras throughout the house.”
“Yes, but not his office or any place he conducts business.” At least I’d never seen any there. They were all over outside, as well as the common areas and hallways. I always felt like we were being watched except in our bedroom.
“Carina,” Butcher barks, having heard everything we said. I spin around to face him.
“I can only have the computer in here, and it’s monitored, but no one is monitoring it now.” Carina says from behind me as Butcher closes in on us. “Don’t move, Angelica.”
“Give me the damn computer,” Butcher demands. He looms over me. Carina is tucked in behind me. Is she using me as a shield? Against the Butcher? The hell? I thought we were friends. Carina continues to click away on the computer.