Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
She shook her head and immediately subsided against the pillows. “Absolutely not. I have always completed my assignments, and I’ll complete this one. I admit I screwed up, but I was making progress.”
“Jean-Claude is head of the International Council of Riders as well as head of the Archambault family,” Elie reminded gently. “He’s responsible for your life.”
“I’m well aware who he is.” She crossed her arms over her chest, aware she looked stubborn, but she didn’t know how best to appeal to him. Why was he living in the States and riding with the Chicago riders? “Do you have to put everything I tell you in your report?”
Silence stretched between them for so long she wanted to scream. She wasn’t known for her patience, and yet Geno was important to her and so was her reputation. She pressed her lips together and forced herself to wait. Finally, Elie shook his head.
“It’s at my discretion what to include. If you tell me something in confidence, I’ll keep it that way.”
“I saw Geno Ferraro on the street when he was talking to a group of men, and for the first time in my life I was intimidated. Keep in mind, I’m around riders quite often. I trained with Archambaults. I don’t get intimidated. I’d never seen anyone like him before. Not to mention his size. When I was held prisoner and Dario Bosco came into the room, I’ll admit I was scared. I’d heard about his ability to extract information through torture. I was certain Geno wouldn’t do anything like that to me. But then my shadow connected with Geno’s, and I could see inside him.”
She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. Her gaze collided with Elie’s. “He was even more frightening than Dario to me. But our shadows just kept tangling, more and more. They were so drawn to one another. I didn’t want it to stop any more than he did. I knew we were supposed to be together. I honestly couldn’t think straight. I’ve always had a very clear mind and I can process information at an extremely rapid rate, but right then, around Geno Ferraro, my brain seemed to short-circuit.”
She dropped her hands to the blanket and spread her fingers wide, shaking her head. “I would never want to admit such a thing to Jean-Claude. I doubt he would understand when I don’t. I wouldn’t want Geno to know, but I’m afraid he did. I think he took unfair advantage when he was interrogating me.” She could feel color creeping up her neck to her face. Blushing. That didn’t happen. Her headache was getting worse. This was a truly humiliating interview, and she hoped she would never have to face Elie Archambault again.
“Geno wasn’t thinking so straight, either, Amara, or he would have known immediately something wasn’t right, and he wouldn’t have threatened to torture you.”
Using the heel of her hand, she rubbed at her forehead in an effort to ease the throbbing ache. Elie was right. If Geno was as clear-thinking as an Archambault, he should have known she wasn’t guilty, yet he had persisted in believing she had something to do with the murders despite her truthful answers. He had been just as affected by their joined shadows as she had been. That made her feel so much better.
Elie sat back in the chair. “Geno Ferraro compromised your shadow.”
Amaranthe assessed his tone. There was a thoughtful note in his voice. Elie was definitely on her side. He had admitted to knowing the Ferraro family very well the moment he entered the room. He was considering how to handle the complaint to Jean-Claude.
“I believe it would prove very useful for you to stay right here with Geno Ferraro. The two of you should work to solve the mystery of who is trying to destroy the riders. Jean-Claude cannot possibly worry about your safety as long as you’re under Geno’s protection. I’m going to send him the report that you never made the complaint and feel that Geno acted within his rights. That there was a misunderstanding. You believe the two of you can resolve this case given time. But, Amara, you will have to reside here. Someone is targeting riders. We don’t have a clue who is doing it. Margo and Eugene may have been older, but they were superb shadow riders. No one should have been able to kill them both. One, perhaps, but both? No.”
“I understand. Geno may think differently.” She hesitated, but she refused to lie to him. Lifting her chin, she met his eyes. “I don’t think he wanted our shadows to tangle together. I believe he’ll find a way to loosen the knots. He allowed it to better hear my answers.”
“Perhaps.” Elie stood. “If he only lightly wrapped his shadow around yours, he’ll be able to get out of it. Otherwise, it will be difficult. At that point, you would be able to bring a very different complaint against him to Stefano Ferraro. I think it would be wise of you to do so.” There was a hint of laughter in his voice, although none on his face.