Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 38276 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38276 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
“It all sounds perfect except for one small thing.”
“What’s that?” I ask, pulling her in closer. Anything she wants is hers.
“Who is Denessa?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “She’s our realtor.”
“What?” Zoe asks, the confusion clear on her face. “A realtor?”
“How can I give you your dream home if I don’t find it first?”
“That’s why were you talking about bedrooms with her?”
“Yes. I want to make sure the master bedroom is far enough away from any kids’ rooms so I can fuck my wife anytime and anyway I want without little ears nearby. But also, I want to make sure you have the perfect view when you wake up in the morning.”
“Don’t you mean we have the perfect view?”
“My view will be of you, Zoe. That’s perfection.”
“I love you,” she says, melting into me as she pulls me in for a kiss. “I need to call Emilia. I have to tell her how wrong I was,” Zoe says, trying to roll away to grab her cell phone.
I stop her, pulling her back to me. The mood suddenly growing somber as I realize the news I need to give her. My heart aches for everything going on. For Emilia. For Niko. For me and now for having to be the one to tell Zoe which will break her heart.
“She can’t talk right now.”
“Of course, she can,” she insists. Her forehead crinkles in frustration. “She will want to know that you and I have worked things out. If I don’t tell her right away, she will never forgive me. Emilia might be quiet, but she can hold a grudge.”
“No, it’s not that, Zoe.” I pull her to me and look down. My heart breaking as the events rush back to me, knowing it’ll be more painful to relay it to her. “There’s been an accident. Emilia is safe thanks to Niko’s detailed instructions.”
Zoe pulls away, sitting up with the blanket clutched to her body. Her hands twist the blanket nervously. “Callan, just tell me what’s going on.”
I sigh heavily. “Someone tried to kill Niko and Emilia’s father. I found out the day you left. Probably just after you heard me talk to the realtor. They were shot down during a business lunch in Athens.”
“Oh my God!” Zoe cries out. I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. “That’s why you looked so tired and upset.”
“I love Niko, but knowing you and Emilia were out there without being able to find you... I was worried whoever did it—this unknown enemy—would find you first.” My heart races in my chest as I think back to how suffocated and helpless I felt for days. I pause to swallow past the lump in my throat. “I was terrified. Losing Niko damn near destroyed me but I couldn’t survive if something happened to you. I’d have to follow you into death.”
“Niko is dead?” Zoe hiccups, as unshed tears gather in her eyes. She leans back searching my face.
“He’s alive but the machines are what is keeping him that way.”
“What about Emilia’s father?” she asks, bracing for the news. “Is he alive?” I shake my head.
“He’s gone, sweetheart.”
Tears start rolling down her face, each one opening a crack in my heart. I pull her back to me. “Oh God. Emilia! Callan, she needs me!”
“She’s in a safe house that Niko had set up for her. You’ll see her at the wedding.”
“Wedding?” Zoe asks in shock.
“Niko and Emilia are getting married,” I inform her. I knew she’d be confused. Hell, it was hard enough for me and I’m the one who put the will in place.
“How can Niko get married if he’s only alive because of machines?”
“That’s what he wanted in his will. Emilia signed a contract agreeing to it.”
“But that’s crazy!”
“Love makes you do crazy things,” I tell her wiping her eyes. “If you knew being married to me would make you safer and I was dying, wouldn’t you still marry me?”
“Don’t even say that out loud!” she cries.
I kiss her. “I’m sorry, baby.”
“Can I call Emilia?”
“It wouldn’t be safe, but I promise you will see her soon and we can stay with her for a while.”
I can tell by the frown on her face that’s not good enough, but she doesn’t argue. She lays her head on my chest as more tears slide free. I wish I could take her pain away, but I know I can’t. I feel such a huge sense of loss that I can’t breathe. Losing my brother has almost brought me to my knees the last few days. I didn’t want things to turn out this way.
I never dreamed they would.
Chapter 25
Zoe
Three Days Later
Standing in Niko’s bedroom is surreal. It’s such a private space and Niko is lying in a hospital bed. He’s always been so commanding. He literally has the power to suck oxygen out of any room he enters. Now, he’s pale, hooked to so many machines that their sounds dominate the area. Everyone is somber and quiet. Weddings are supposed to be a time of celebration, but this feels anything but. Mutt is here, too. He’s the other witness to Emilia and Niko’s marriage. Callan couldn’t serve in that capacity because he is the executor of both Niko’s estate and living will. But he’s standing behind me and I’m clutching his hand tightly in a sad attempt of support. I know this is gut wrenching for him and I hate that I can’t do anything to help.