Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 118965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
This time, it’s me who turns my back on him and walks away.
Chapter
Ten
Angelo
* * *
I go after Sabella with long strides, intent on talking this through even though I have no idea what to say, but when I spot her entering Sophie’s room, I pause at the bottom of the stairs.
Everything she accused me of is accurate.
The punch I can’t deal with is that she would’ve said yes. If I’d pursued her like a normal man chasing after a beautiful woman, would she have accepted my advances? Probably. Yet Edwards would’ve done everything in his power to prevent the marriage from happening. He would’ve poisoned her thoughts and turned her against me. He would’ve still paid the mechanic to cut the brake cables on the car. What she can’t see is that nothing would’ve been different. I would’ve still had to steal and kill to make her mine.
“Fuck.”
I rub my palms over my face. I have to end this. I delayed as much as I could. I can’t take the uncertainty any longer.
Taking my phone from my pocket, I dial one of my informants in the force, someone I trust. When he answers, I say, “Get a message to Lieutenant Lavigne. Tell him my wife has the information he wants. Make sure it looks authentic, like the message came from her.”
“That’s easy enough,” he says. “What’s her number?”
“I’ll send you a burner phone number.”
“Consider it done.”
A weight rests on my shoulders when I end the call. If my suspicion is right and Sabella made that deal, we’re stuck in this fucked-up living situation. Either way, Lavigne is dead for what he did to Sabella. That was always a given.
“Dinner will be ready in five,” Heidi calls, popping her head around the doorframe of the kitchen. “I’ll tell the boys to wash up.”
“Thanks,” I say, my voice sounding defeated to my own ears.
I brought Heidi to help with the cooking and cleaning to allow Sabella time with Sophie. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking. I was hoping for a miracle. Sabella always seems to know how to handle Sophie.
“I made spaghetti,” Heidi says as I mount the stairs. “The kids love it.” She disappears back into the kitchen, her words drifting up to me. “There’s steak and vegetable stir-fry for you and Sabella.”
I walk onto the landing and head down the hallway. Sophie’s door is open a crack. I’m about to enter when I hear Sabella say, “Come here. Give me a big hug.”
I pull back, leaning against the wall.
“Why don’t you like me anymore?” Sophie asks in a small, quivering voice.
“Oh, sweetheart. Of course I like you. You’re my favorite little girl.”
“Then why don’t you want me to stay with you?”
“Remember what I said? This house is as much Mr. Russo’s as the old house. You’ll always have a room in both houses, but Mr. Russo is your guardian. Do you know what that means?”
“That he can say what I must do?”
“No.” Sabella chuckles. “It means he’s responsible for taking care of you. It’s a big responsibility, and he takes it very seriously. He wants to make sure you’re safe, well cared for, and happy. You know why? Because he loves you very, very much. You’re part of his family, and nothing is more important than family. Do you understand?”
My wife’s words make me feel as if my heart is trapped in the too-narrow confines of my ribcage.
“But I miss you, Sabella. Beatrice does too. And Alison.”
“You’re here now, and you’ll come visit again. So why don’t we make the most of the moment and enjoy it instead of locking ourselves in your room?”
Sophie’s question is hopeful. “Can we watch television?”
“You bet we can.”
“With popcorn?”
Sabella laughs. “After dinner. And then you can tell me about school. I’m dying to hear everything.”
“Angelo doesn’t want me to take Beatrice. He says I’m too old for imaginary friends, but she’s not imaginary.”
“How about we ask Mr. Russo if you can take Beatrice if you leave her in your backpack? That way, she’ll be safe and warm, and she can listen to your lessons. When she gets bored, you can leave her at home with Alison.”
“Do you think so?” Sophie asks, drawing out the words.
“I do, but remember, Mr. Russo must agree. He’s not trying to be mean, sweetheart. He’s just trying very hard to do what’s best for you.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.”
“I don’t know,” Sophie says meekly. “I want to stay with you, Sabella.”
“You know what? I don’t have a Beatrice, but I do have a sea turtle.”
“You do?”
“You bet. Do you want to see it?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Look. Let me take if off.” A moment later, Sabella says, “Here.”
“It’s very pretty.”
“It’s my lucky charm. I tell you what. You keep it, and that way, I’ll always be close to you, no matter where you are.”
“Really?” Sophie asks, sounding a little more upbeat.