Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75241 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75241 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
I didn’t, and I wasn’t sure what on earth Mary Ellen had to do with the conversation at hand. “Maybe.”
“You know, she and I ran the animal shelter’s charity auction together a few years ago?”
I couldn’t keep up with all my mother’s friends or all her charity events. I rarely listened closely when she explained them to me unless she was expecting me to attend something, but it was usually easier to just agree with her. “Yes, of course.”
Mother eyed me like she didn’t believe me. I was growing more exasperated by the second.
“What about Mary Ellen? What does she have to do with my situation?”
“She has a cabin outside North Adams, and she’s agreed to let you and your bodyguard stay there.”
My mouth dropped open, and a few seconds passed before I could speak. “I’m working on pieces for a gallery show. I can’t go running off to some cabin.”
“The… security firm my friend works for thinks it’s best if you leave town. They truly believe Alan could be dangerous.”
I studied her for a moment. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”
She huffed. “What good would it do? You never listen to me.”
“Mother—”
“I’m worried about your safety. Pack whatever you need to work on your pieces and take it with you. I’m sure there’s plenty of room at the cabin.”
“I have a life here. I have plans. I have—”
“You won’t have anything if you don’t take your safety seriously.”
I knew my mother well enough to know she wasn’t going to relent until I went along with this. I’d go to the meeting and explain to the man that I didn’t need a bodyguard, then I’d send him on his way. “Mom, I—”
“No more arguing. I’m going to do whatever is necessary to take care of you even if you don’t like it.” She laid her napkin on the table and pushed back her chair. “Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the meeting.”
“Wait. You’re coming too?”
“Yes, I am. If you go alone, you’ll just tell the man you don’t need him.”
I let out an exasperated sigh. It wasn’t like I could tell her she was wrong.
“How long am I supposed to hide out? It’s not like Alan is just going to disappear.” I paused and looked at her. “He’s not, right?” When she said she’d do anything, surely she didn’t mean hiring a hitman.
She laughed, but it sounded a bit strained. “Of course not. I’m going to make sure he gets arrested.”
“I’ve tried calling the police, and I have a restraining order, but it hasn’t helped.”
“Which is why you need someone else to watch out for you. My friend is also going to investigate Alan to see if there’s a way we can get rid of the problem.”
She wasn’t going to give up on this. It would be easier if I just went along with some of it. Maybe then I could at least regain some autonomy, like being able to stay in my own apartment. “I’ll go to the meeting and consider what this man has to say, but I really can’t leave the city.”
She glared at me. “You can do whatever is necessary to stay safe.”
I started to protest, but she linked her arm in mine and hurried us along to the car she had waiting.
A few minutes later, my mother’s driver pulled up in front of a tattoo shop.
“Um… where are we going?”
“Here,” my mother said.
“I think you might have mixed up the address.”
“No. This is where we’re meeting.”
“We’re meeting a bodyguard at a tattoo shop? And you’re okay with that? I thought you hated tattoos.”
She sighed. “I’m not having one done. For heaven’s sake, stop being so fussy.”
My mother was the fussiest person I knew. “Is the bodyguard also a tattoo artist?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Then why are we meeting him here instead of at an office?”
“My friend likes to keep all his business private. His office is in the back.”
Who the hell was my mom’s friend? Why would he need all this subterfuge for a security company?
I wanted to ask, but before I could, my mom stepped from the car, and I had to race to catch up to her. She didn’t even hesitate when she reached the entrance, even though in her powder-blue pants suit, she looked like the last person who would be patronizing this business.
When I followed her inside, a man glanced up from behind the front desk. He was tall and broad shouldered with black hair and a thick black beard. The black tank top he was wearing showed off full sleeves of tattoos on both his arms. They were gorgeous, definitely high-quality work. He wasn’t bad either. In fact, he looked like exactly the type of man who could satisfy my need for a rough fuck to help me forget Giorgio. I needed to do something to get the man out of my head.