Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
I nod, trying to gather myself as I walk through the door. “Excuse me. I need some air.”
None of this would’ve happened if Dad had honored his promise. But Dad never had any intention of keeping that promise. Of that, I’m sure. It’s ironic that there was a time I would’ve gladly put Angelo’s ring on my finger. I did, didn’t I? I wore his signet ring with pride before I knew what he’d done. All that is in the past now, and things will never be the same.
Escaping outside, I take in the familiar view of the sea. Even this favorite sight has been tainted. A single, careless, forbidden moment spoiled everything.
The breeze has picked up. Grabbing a throw from the sofa on the veranda, I wrap it around my shoulders and climb down the dune.
Despite the memories, the deserted beach provides a measure of peace. I sit down at the edge of the water and dig my toes into the sand. I try to think, to come to a decision, but Ryan is right. There’s only one thing I can do, and it scares me. It terrifies me, because I know what Angelo is capable of.
The only thought that soothes me is knowing he doesn’t need me for anything other than my so-called good name. There are hundreds of women with good family names in the world. He can easily find someone else to make a good match. It doesn’t have to be me.
A shadow falls over me.
Alarmed, I jerk.
“Hey,” Colin says. “It’s only me.”
“Shit.” I place a hand over my heart. “You scared me.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to.” He sits down next to me. “I went for a jog and saw you coming down here from the top of the road.” Studying me closely, he adds, “I thought you were having a girls’ night in Cape Town.”
I blow out a shaky sigh. “There isn’t a party.”
He frowns. “Why?”
Shifting sideways, I face him. “Angelo proposed.”
“What?” His expression turns thunderous. “He came to see you again? That son of a bitch. Where is he now?”
“I don’t know. He left after telling me I had until tomorrow.”
“For what?”
“To prepare myself.” I shrug. “To get used to the idea.”
“I never wanted to kill someone with my bare hands, but I swear—”
“Please, no more talk of killing. I’ve had enough of that.”
“Bella.” He grips my chin. “I know you’ve never been completely honest with me. I know there’s plenty you’re not telling me.”
Pulling free, I look away. “There’s plenty I didn’t know myself.”
He’s quiet for a moment. After a beat, he says, “Marry me. Tomorrow.”
I look back at him quickly. “What?”
“Marry me,” he says again. “Tomorrow morning. There’ll be nothing he can do about it when he comes back for you.”
Staring at him with disbelief, I scoot back. “It’s not like that between us.”
The muscles in his temples bunch. “We care about each other. We’re best friends. We understand each other. I know you better than you know yourself. I already told you, in my opinion, that’s the best foundation for a marriage.”
“We were talking about a relationship, not marriage, and we were no more than teenagers.”
“My age never prevented me from knowing what’s right for me. I’m a practical man. You know that. We’ll work together. I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t sure.”
“Oh, Colin.” I bite my lip. “You don’t know half of it. If you did, you wouldn’t make such an offer.”
“Then tell me.” He catches my ankles and pulls me closer. “Tell me everything, and don’t leave a damn thing out. Go on. I dare you.”
“Even if I could tell you, I wouldn’t. You’ll run for the hills.”
“I’m not scared off that easily,” he says with a crooked smile. “Try me.”
“You’ll never look at me the same again.”
“Tell me,” he says, squeezing my ankles. “If I’m still here when you’re done, you’ll marry me.” He makes a funny face. “Won’t that make all your problems go away?”
I can’t help but laugh. “You’re impossible.”
His expression turns serious. “I’m listening.”
For a moment, I wonder how it will be to be his wife. We have a good, solid friendship and mutual interests. There may not be sparks, but I love him in a different way. We can be good together. I can be a decent wife to him, making up for the shortcoming of passion in other ways.
We share the same values. Our families are friends. Whether his family will still be friends with us if they know the truth is to be seen. I doubt that. But Colin is different. He’s never been judgmental. For a fleeting moment, I catch a glimpse of a safe, tranquil life with him, a life in which there’s no crime or fear. No bad history.
The idea of that life is so appealing that I tell him. I tell him everything, starting from the beginning when my dad made the deal and ending with the ring I still carry in my pocket. I don’t leave any sordid detail out.