Total pages in book: 148
Estimated words: 142939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Opening the car door, I pull her into my arms and use part of her voluminous skirt to drape along her top, hiding every bit of her soft skin. She’s for my eyes only. And soon enough, I’ll know every inch of her by heart.
6
ANGELICA
I thought I hated my father before, but the burning in my chest now is something else altogether. It goes way beyond anger. He wanted to kill me? Those men tried to come into the limo with their guns drawn.
I have no idea if they were going to use them on me or only make a grab for me. If he thinks for a second I would hand over what would be mine in the event of my husband's death, he’s lost his damn mind. If anything, I’d take everything I could get my hands on and run—after I got my sister. I would never squander the opportunity for us to be free of my father.
“Is the home to your liking?” Antonio asks as we enter the front door. A few of the men that lingered outside follow us in.
“It will do.” I smirk, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of what I really think.
The house is actually breathtaking. I’m not sure what I thought Antonio’s home would be like, but this place reminds me of a castle. It whispers wealth but manages to maintain a warmth to it. It’s nothing like the home I grew up in, which screamed money and smacked you in the face with its gaudiness. Everything was covered in gold and pricey pieces of art, ones I knew my father didn’t even know the names of and probably cost fortune after fortune. The pieces coat the walls of anywhere he thought people might go inside the home.
“That’s probably a good thing. I don’t need you adding to your reasons to kill me.” He winks at me. Why is he being playful with me? The palm of my hand still stings from smacking him. And there’s also the fact that my father just tried to end his life. I don’t understand this man, but I’m finding a small, mind you a very small, I mean the tiniest part of me, wants to.
“I think I’ll keep you for now. You are rather good protection.” I try to make my tone sound offhanded.
The truth is my mind and heart are still reeling from what happened. The way he protected me. Then again, what would people think if Antonio had been unable to protect his own wife? To have me die while I was under his protection. He wouldn’t want that. Men and their egos. I often think those mean more to them than anything else.
“Let’s take you up to our room.”
I stiffen. I knew this would come, but what I didn’t expect was the world of emotions I’m having over it now. I told myself I’d grin and bear it. But that was before Antonio kissed me. He woke up something inside me that I didn’t even know existed. Not only that, he said I could hit him if that turned me on. He cared if I desired him? I’d seen the heat in his eyes when he asked if I was wet. I had been. How, I have no clue. We’d almost died, and I was getting turned on while we still made our escape with a husband I’m supposed to hate.
“I’m hungry,” I blurt out.
“Have something brought up,” he says to one of the random men in all black. He grabs my hand and starts to pull me toward the circle staircase.
“Antonio.” I pull back on his hand, but he scoops me into his arms. He makes sure to not hit my bruised side.
“Yes, my little hellion?”
I narrow my eyes at him, trying to stay strong. In reality, my bravado is starting to waver. The rush of everything begins to fully hit me.
“You said you wouldn’t hurt me.” I try to keep the quiver out of my voice.
“Have I hurt you?”
I shake my head no.
“I don’t know if I can…” My face starts to warm. I can throw a fit and curse like a sailor, but for some reason, talk of sex makes me blush.
He arches a brow. “I don’t force myself on women.”
Oh, right. He’ll go get himself one that is perfectly willing. Probably more experienced too. A sourness takes over my stomach. I focus on that, remembering what I am to Antonio. It’s always the same in the relationships within these families. They all talk about loyalty and honor, but none of that applies when it comes to their wives. Antonio might not harm me physically, but there are other ways he could if I let him. I won’t.
“Right.” I turn my head to look away from him as he carries me down the long hallway. He wouldn’t have to even try to find a woman. I’m sure they throw themselves at him wherever he goes.