Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 134663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134663 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
A playful scowl hits me, followed by her palm on my pec. “And what should I wear?” Panic finds its way into her voice. It’s endearing, if wasted.
I swing my legs off the bed and stand with Rose attached to my front. “Something pretty. It’s a special occasion.” I walk us to the bathroom and drop her on her feet outside the shower before flipping it on. When I turn to leave, I find her fidgeting on the spot, lost in thought. Is she really that worried about this? The possibility shreds my heart. Today is the first step to finding our true beginning. “Rose?”
Without acknowledging me, she approaches the vanity unit and reaches behind a drawer, pulling something out. A cell phone. Staring down at it for a few seconds, she turns it over and holds it out to me. “I found it in the silver purse I used in Vegas. I don’t know how he got it in there. I only discovered it when we were back here. You can check the messages if you like. It’s bugged too.”
Regarding her carefully, I reach for the phone and take it from her hand. “I believe it wasn’t you who tipped off the FBI, Rose,” I confirm.
“I know.” She shrugs. “But who did?”
My lips straighten, my eyes falling to the screen. “I have many enemies.”
“And so do I. Nox knows I’ve turned on him. He won’t let this go, Danny.”
“Neither will I,” I growl, stepping forward, holding the phone between us. I hate the look of utter dread distorting her beauty. The only thing in the world that she should dread is me. I want to be the only man who can hurt her. Because that means I get to be the only man who can love her. True pain, I’ve learned, only comes from within. It only comes from loving someone. I slide my hand onto her cheek, the tips of my fingers weaving through her hair. “I don’t want you to waste one more thread of fear on anyone else, do you hear me? I am your master, your god, your lord, your fucking be all and end all.” I kiss her hard on the lips. “He can’t control you anymore because now you are mine. You got that?”
Her nod is jerky.
“Good.” One more kiss before I turn her and direct her into the shower. “I have a few calls to make. We’ll have lunch when I’m done.” Leaving Rose behind, I throw on some sweatpants and head for the gym, slipping the cell phone in my pocket.
I’m looking forward to a little chat with the last man I’ll ever kill.
Chapter 24
ROSE
* * *
The next evening, I’m in a fluster, indecisive of what to wear, critical of everything I put on my body. Nothing seems suitable to meet the family of my mafia boyf . . .
I pause mid-frantic think. “Boyfriend?” I say to myself, turning left and right in the mirror, taking in the simple black off-the-shoulder dress. Too formal? Too short?
Glancing across to the bedside clock, I note that I haven’t got time to debate it. I grab my bag, slip my feet into some suede heeled pumps, and make my way downstairs. The hall is empty, so I continue to the kitchen. Esther’s drying some dishes, humming to herself, and she stops mid-rub of a bowl when she spots me. “Hi.” I wave a hand nervously at her, then immediately use it to pull down the hem of my dress. “Too short?” I ask, searching for reassurance. It’s ridiculous. The red thing Danny tore up shattered the slut scale. This is nothing in comparison.
“Too lovely,” she counters, a kindness in her eyes that I’ve not met before. Esther places the dish down along with the towel and clasps her hands together in front of her flat stomach. “Can I tell you something, Rose?”
I’m caught off guard, my hands pausing from fussing over my dress. I should embrace this moment of interaction, since it’s never happened before. “Sure,” I say, almost offhandedly, when on the inside I’m churning with curiosity.
“I just want him to be at peace.”
My brow furrows before I can instruct myself to stop it. “You mean Danny?”
“He’s full to the brim with resentment. I can’t blame him, not after what I did to him.” She smiles when my eyes widen. “I know he’s told you, and just the fact he’s found someone to confide in fills me with a comfort that you might not ever understand. I’ll never forgive myself for abandoning him, Rose. For leaving him with that monster. Never.” A hard swallow. “But—”
“Then why did you?” I can’t stop myself.
“Sorry?”
“Why did you leave him?”
“Sometimes things aren’t as simple as they seem. I was a young woman. Everything just seemed . . . impossible.”