Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Are you scared of him?” As if she’s reading my mind, her question drags me back to the present and I regard her earnestly.
“No.” The answer is honest. I don’t fear him. There’s no inkling in his demeanor that tells me he’ll hurt me, but others… That’s another story.
I don’t know what I’m getting myself into, or gotten myself into, but I know there’s no turning back. I have to face the next six months of the contract head-on. I can’t run. I can’t hide. Not that I want to, but something tells me this man won’t let me go easily.
The only problem is… Will my heart be able to let go when the time comes or will I fall? And if I do, I know it will be hard.
“Have you heard from Andrea? I emailed him my resignation, but he’s been oddly quiet about it.” The fear of what my brother will do when he gets his hands on me is enough for me to go willingly to Franco and hope he can protect me.
“He wasn’t at work today. I know he was meant to be down in Miami for a few days. He said he was meeting a supplier, but…” her words taper off and I know there’s something else going on with my brother. Something I’d rather not know about.
“I’m just… I mean, I’ve just left and you know what Andrea is like.” My tone is somber, and she nods. We all know what that asshole is capable of.
“Look, Franco will protect you, surely?”
I don’t doubt it, so I nod in agreement.
“Then stop being such a sullen bitch and worrying about your brother. If he couldn’t be bothered to call or respond to you, maybe he doesn’t care. Come on, let’s have a drink to celebrate your newfound freedom, and then I need to get ready for work. And my date with Giovanni.” She giggles like an excited teenager.
“Tell me you’re not going to fall for his brother. You do realize this isn’t a game. They’re dangerous, Cali.” My warning tone sounds like something a mother would say, but I can’t help worrying about my younger cousin. Even though she’s only two years younger and an adult, sometimes, she can be irresponsible.
“No, we’re having fun. I’m way too young to fall in love. Besides, you’re the one who looks more forlorn than any of us. Also, tonight is a double date. Adria and Matteo are going to meet up and we’re all going clubbing. Maybe you should come? Ask Franco to join us. Who knows, you might have some fun for a change.”
I didn’t want to go out, but my cousin can be frustrating when she’s got an idea in her head and won’t let it go. So, I find myself in the middle of a nightclub. The red and purple strobe lights swirl back and forth over the sweaty crowd and I’m watching my cousin and best friend dancing with the two brothers.
No, my courage to ask a man like Franco to come out to a nightclub is non-existent, hence me sitting here nursing a cocktail with a name I don’t want to think about.
“Hey, a pretty girl like you shouldn’t be sitting alone. Let’s dance?” A drawl from beside me has my skin crawling. When I turn to find the source, I’m met with green eyes that almost seem luminous in the darkened club.
“No, thank you.” I offer a smile and drag my gaze back over to the dance floor. My hopes that the stranger will go away are dashed when he slips into the seat beside me and grabs my wrist.
“You should be friendlier to people. It’s rude to refuse a man a dance when he asked so politely,” he hisses in my ear and fear snakes its way over my skin and collects in my chest. With my heart thudding wildly and the loud bass of the music, I can’t find my voice to call for help. Neither Adria nor Calista are looking this way, and their dates are more entranced by the girls than casting an eye toward me.
“Please, just leave me alone,” I plead, anxiety lacing my tone, and I fight to swallow the lump of panic that’s silently trying to choke me.
“You’re going to dance with me, pretty lady.” The strength of his grip has my hand tingling from loss of blood, but before he can drag me off the seat, his hand falls away.
“Get your filthy hands off her. Now.” A thick accent much like a rich chocolate fills the space and my head snaps around to find the dark eyes of Franco Moretti glaring at the man. “Either you take your vile hands off of her and find some other toy to play with, or I’ll slice each finger from your limbs and have them stuffed down your throat.” Each word is filled with a threat I have no doubt he can fulfill.