Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Stellan’s not there yet.
I settle into my shift. It’s an average night. Busy at first, but slows between ten and midnight. The drunks aren’t out yet, which means I have quiet time to sit around and reflect on all my life choices and how they’ve steered me here.
I’m still not sure why Stellan chose me. Just based on the way girls were practically tripping over themselves to get close to him at dinner and at the club, I’d bet there are maybe a few thousand potential wives within spitting distance. Most of them would probably be much more willing than me.
If all he needs is arm candy, wouldn’t that make more sense?
I still don’t get it. It feels like there’s more to this situation than he’s letting on. But why do I always have to second-guess everything?
My life’s been one long string of failures and mistakes. My father died, my mother’s always been an addict, my little sister’s a genius, but she’s trapped in poverty, and then there’s me, trying to hold it all together. Nothing truly good ever comes my way. Maybe that’s why I can’t see Stellan as more than a problem.
I duck into the back for my fifteen-minute break. When I come back out, he’s sitting in his usual booth. Pam gives me a wink and whispers, “I figured you’d want to serve him. You know, since you two are so close these days.”
I don’t even argue. Instead, I get him coffee, hesitate, pour myself a mug too, and sit down across from him. He doesn’t look surprised when I push his drink in front of him and take a long sip from mine.
“Busy night?” he asks casually, as if this were a totally normal meeting and my future isn’t dangling in the balance.
“Quiet until you showed up.”
“I have that effect.”
I take a deep breath. He’s watching me carefully, his face hard but curious, like he’s waiting for something terrible to happen.
“I don’t want to make this a big thing, okay?” I lean forward, heart racing into my throat. I’m sure I’m making a horrible mistake.
But it’s a mistake that might give Gem a better life.
“I like simple.”
“Promise me you’ll take care of my sister, no matter what happens.”
“I swear.”
“Seriously, Stellan. I’ve been busting my ass for years to make sure she gets the chance I never had. No matter what happens with us, she’s a good kid. She deserves better than I can give.”
“I promise, Kira. No matter what happens with us, Gem will always have a safety net. I’ll make sure of it.”
Something in me finally unclenches. I like that phrase, a safety net. It makes me think Gem can make some mistakes, but they won’t crush her. She can be a regular kid for a while.
“I’ll marry you.”
He nods, as if he expected this, and reaches into his jacket pocket. He places a diamond ring on the table between us. “This is for you.”
I stare, mouth dropping open. Holy crap, that thing is enormous. The diamond has to be worth thousands of dollars on its own. “Have you been carrying that around?”
“Ever since we first met.”
“But… that’s insane.”
“I make decisions and I don’t back away from them. When I commit, I commit with my soul.” He leans in close. “I keep my word. No matter what.”
I nod in a haze. I reach out and take the ring. It feels shockingly heavy in my palm.
He takes a long drink and slips from the booth. I watch him numbly, squeezing the ring into my palm until it hurts. This didn’t feel real until right now. It’s this physical reminder of what I just got myself into.
“What happens now?” I ask.
“You put that on. I have work tonight. I’ll speak to you again tomorrow.”
“I can’t wear that thing.” His gaze sharpens. I can tell I just insulted him. “It’s beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just… it’s too much.”
“This is your life now. You’d better start getting used to it.” He turns and leaves without another word, forcing an end to our first argument as an engaged couple.
One of what I’m thinking will be many more to come.
STELLAN
Matteo slurps his coffee with ugly, pinched lips. He looks like a fucking fish when he does that. I have to struggle to keep the revulsion from my expression as he digs at his eggs with his fork. “I hear the lots have been busy,” he comments as a waitress walks past balancing a dozen plates on her big tray. It’s right in the middle of the breakfast rush and the place is mobbed. “The council’s been pleased with the income.”
“I’ve been pushing for development nearby. There’s a new movie theater and a few restaurants. They’re bringing in extra traffic.”
“See, that’s exactly what we need from a new Don.” Matteo sighs, shaking his head. “But the council’s too damn stubborn to get it.”