Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
“Oh?” Is all I can manage. The idea of even saying I do has my stomach churning with disgust. I don’t want to marry a man almost twice my age.
He closes the distance to where I am, grips my wrist, and pulls me to my feet. “You will soon be my queen,” he tells me. “And I need you to know that this world will be filled with danger.”
“I know that,” I throw back. I may be young, but I’m wise to the world of the mafia.
Ignacio grips my chin, squeezing until I wince. “I like when pretty girls cry,” he murmurs against my cheek. His other hand has a hold of my hip, and the pain that radiates through me is enough to allow a lone tear to escape my lashes. “And once you’re mine, I plan on making you cry every night. Until you bear my son.”
The threat is clear as day.
I don’t reply. Men like him don’t deserve anything, and if I were to say anything, he’d hurt me. In turn, that would anger Nico, and our carefully laid plans would go up in smoke. So I play the obedient fiancée because I know it won’t be much longer before I can escape.
The bastard releases me, turns on his heel, and as he walks out, I hear him chuckle. He got what he wanted. He’s instilled fear in me, and that’s brought him the pleasure he seeks.
For now.
I don’t see Nico again until dusk, when I manage to escape the house and meet him in the gardens. The compound is enormous, and the cameras only follow to a certain point. After that, I’m free to roam without prying eyes on me.
He’s standing near the stone archway that leads to the vineyard. Arms folded, face unreadable. He looks like a shadow—like he belongs in the in-between places.
He doesn’t move when he sees me.
But his eyes say everything.
I’m about to speak, when another man steps out from the shadows and my heart catapults in my chest. Gillie.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” I tell him as he embraces me. The man has been my shadow for my whole life. When I texted him a few days ago to tell him I’m scared that Nico and I could be hurt if they found out anything, he said he’d see what he could do.
“I had to come and see if you were okay,” he tells me earnestly. “And I had to meet the Montesano you’re risking your life for.” He knows everything. Before I left for Italy, I sat Gillie down and explained what I’d been going through. I knew I could trust him because he’s the only man in my life who understands what it’s like to be a prisoner.
“But you came,” I tell him as I step back.
“I did. Nico and I have made plans. We need you to listen to what we tell you.” The seriousness of his tone has the hairs on the back of my neck standing up.
“Okay.” I can’t refuse both men. They’re trying to keep me safe, but then again, Gillie knows I’m stubborn, but I will not have them in danger when there is something I can help with. He must realize this because he grips my shoulders and glares at me. The man can see the wheels turning in my head. I know he can.
“Don’t just say, okay, Lelia.” He’s been like a father to me when my own was busy working. I confided in Gillie about so much in my life that he knows me better than anyone. Even better than I know myself.
“Please, Lia,” Nico speaks up, and I love how he says my name when I don’t say anything. I’m sure he wants to pull me into his arms, but he doesn’t touch me. Not with Guillermo here.
“I had a visit from Ignacio,” I finally admit. I’m still shaken from the meeting.
Gillie leans in, just enough for me to hear him. “Did he hurt you?”
I nod once, then attempt to walk past him to get a breath, but both men crowd me. The danger radiating off them scorches me as Nico’s hand reaches for me. He stops me in my tracks, and his fingers ignite something deep within me. Like I’m not already burning for him.
“Midnight. Cellar.”
It’s only two words, but then they both walk away, leaving me wondering just what they have planned.
At midnight, I sneak into the cellar.
Nico’s already there, pacing. He stops when I walk in, and I take in the scene before me. There’s a map on the table. Notes. A photograph.
And a gun.
My stomach lurches.
“What is this?” I whisper to Nico, just as Gillie stalks in looking as if he’s ready for war. His expression is creased with rage.
He looks up at me, jaw tight. “The man will die. And I’ll walk beside Nico for whatever he needs.” I didn’t ever think I’d hear one of my father’s men agreeing to work with a Montesano. But there seems to be hope, at least for my bodyguard and the man who’s stolen my heart.