Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“It’s nice to meet you, sir,” I say, going with the curtsy again.
As opposed to Alessia, who seems completely oblivious to the fact I was her waitress last night—she’s shown no sign of recognition—I’m sure I see a glint in her husband’s eyes. He doesn’t move or make a noise, but there’s something in his eyes and his lip. It twitches almost like a smile.
Alessia leans down, putting her ear close to her husband’s mouth. Then she leans up, smiling. “He says it’s lovely to meet you, too.”
I almost call her out for this. I didn’t hear any noise from him, but what would be the point in pretending her husband was speaking if he wasn’t capable? To keep up appearances? Why would she want to do that with me?
“We were wondering if you could sing for us,” Alessia says.
I take a step back instinctively, caught off guard. “Um…” When Alessia’s expression falters, and I see how badly she wants some brightness in her life, I quickly move forward. I force myself to smile. “Yes. I can. It’s why I’m here, after all.”
Alessia gives me a shrewd look. “Yes, and that’s the only reason you’re here, isn’t it, dear?”
I nod, then clasp my hands in front of me. More nerves are twisting through me than when I sang for my man. It takes me a few moments to get going. My voice falters. Alessia frowns. It’s the pity in her eyes that forces me to really start trying.
I sing a simple song about moving through a sea of fog, looking for my lifeline. The notes are long and low, and I hope the song evokes a certain type of lost sadness. At least, that’s what I was going for when I wrote it.
When I finish, I realize Alessia is staring at me with her mouth wide open. Then she turns to her husband, leans down, and brushes her hand across his cheek. “He’s crying,” she whispers. “Leo, my lion, you’re crying. Are you there, Leo? Did you like the song? Did you hear it?”
I don’t say anything, watching the exchange. It doesn’t make any sense. Why would she ask if he was there if she’d just spoken to him? She leaned down and put her ear to his mouth. Was that all for show? Why would she fake that? I don’t understand.
She seems to realize what she’s done. She stares at me like she hates me, but I think she hates the fact she just let something slip. She didn’t mean to.
“I think we’re done here,” Alessia says. “Thank you, Angela, and please remember whose home this is. Remember the respect we’re owed.”
I get the point. I didn’t see this, whatever it was. I shouldn’t tell her son. “Of course, Mrs. Marino,” I say.
She doesn’t correct me this time or say I should call her Alessia. When I turn away, I can feel her eyes on me. When I reach the door, she says, “You truly have a magical voice. An angel’s voice.”
I leave the room, wondering if I should tell her son. As I walk through the apartment, the situation niggles at me. If Leo had been speaking to her, she wouldn’t have reacted like that. That seems obvious to me, but—
My phone vibrates from my pocket, cutting through my thoughts. I quickly grab it.
I’m on my way home now, Scarlet.
What happened? Did you find Mom?
No, I haven’t found your mother yet.
But you found Dad? I ask.
I’ll explain when I see you in person.
Stop being so damn mysterious! I type. If something has happened, I want to know about it. Has he gotten himself into trouble again? Does he owe even more money?
Please, just wait until I’m back.
I deserve to know. You’re scaring me.
Surely, it can’t be as bad as my imagination. Surely, the real demons can’t be as messed up as those in my head. When he calls me, though, I know it must be deadly serious, and when he tells me what he’s found, my world crashes down. Not because of what happened to Dad—I’m a terrible daughter—but because of what it could mean for Mom.
CHAPTER 16
Elio
I wrap my arms tighter around Scarlet, smoothing my hand through her hair, wondering if I’m doing anything to comfort her. When Luca and I got our hands on the men and unwrapped the tarpaulin, we found her dad. They’d stabbed him to death over a poker argument. They were going to get rid of his body.
Ever since I got back, my woman hasn’t stopped crying. The sound, the feel of her against me, the pain… It’s all almost too much to handle. She feels like she’s going to dissolve into pure heartache. Before, I thought that nothing could stop the savage in me. Now, I don’t care about the physical side. I don’t care about mauling her. I just want to stop her pain.