Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
“It’s just—” She pauses for a long second. I keep on moving toward the dock because I would rather not have this conversation where anyone can hear. Which dawns on me that had been the plan from the start with Marks. That I should get out and we could talk. I thought maybe about sex or my soon-to-be husband and how I’m handling an arranged marriage. Or why he keeps ghosting me.
“Out with it. You’re killing me here.”
“I mean, do you really want to know? That’s another question? You have had a crush on this man forever, but this is arranged, and he’s a dick, so the rules could be different now.” My heart starts to race. Marks knows something. “It might be better to not know things.”
"But you know something?" It’s obvious she’s not telling me something, and now that she’s hinted at knowing, I’m not going to be able to think about anything else until she spills what it is.
"I know lots of things."
I walk faster until I'm at the dock, and I'm sure I'm alone. "Knowing lots of things can get you into trouble, Marks," I tell her.
"When have I ever been shy about trouble?" I think it might be easier to get into trouble behind a computer screen. It’s different when you’re face-to-face with it. The Marinos would track her down.
"This is different. You can't be poking around in my life."
"Because you don't want me to get hurt or you don't want me to know things?"
"Of course I want you to know things!" I wish I could tell her everything. That I could confide in her. That’s not the world I live in. Hence why my only friend is online.
"I know I shouldn't have poked, but you're set to marry this man. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't do some light stalking?"
"Light stalking." I snort a laugh. I didn't know there were levels. "So?" This anticipation is killing me.
"He went to a strip club that is also a known brothel." I close my eyes. I shouldn’t feel the sense of betrayal that I do, but I can’t help it. The way he kissed me the other day. It actually meant nothing.
"Bourbon Street?" I ask. I once heard about the place and that it's owned by the Marino family.
"Yes, and he was in there for a while."
"What's a while?"
"Hours." I swipe at the tear that escapes.
"Right." Why do I keep doing this to myself? My heart aches thinking about what he was doing in those hours.
This is what my life is going to be. I can’t let my head get caught up in his kisses that make me forget everything else. I need to harden myself to him. I should really get the message because the man disappears for days!
“I’m sorry, Tova.” I can hear the defeat in her tone. “I can get you out.”
“Marks.” I let out a sigh. “There is no out. I have no choice. I have to marry him.” My phone is plucked from my fingers. I let out a small scream, spinning around to see Warren standing there.
The moon casts shadows over the hard lines of his face, making him appear harsher. Even in the dim night light, I can tell he's livid. Well, that makes two of us. What the heck does he have to be mad about?
“Give me my phone.” I hold my hand out.
“Who are you speaking to?”
“That’s none of your business.” There, I told him. Let’s see how he likes not knowing something when it comes to me.
“It is not my concern that my fiancée is secretly making midnight calls to a man who is attempting to dissuade her from our wedding.” He takes a step closer to me. I retreat backwards. His nostrils flare.
“It’s not midnight,” I say, knowing damn well that it’s going to piss him off.
“You need to be real careful right now, little mouse.”
“Why? What will you do to me?” I don’t know where the sudden bravado comes from. Actually, I do. It’s from my anger.
"Anything I want." I audibly swallow. I hate that tears burn in my eyes. I fight them with everything I have.
"Right." A humorless laugh leaves me. "Can I have my phone back?" I keep my hand out. He must have ended the call when he took the phone from me because the screen is lighting up with a call from Marks.
"Who is it?"
"It's none of your business!" I hiss at him, trying to hold on to my anger and not let sadness bleed in. Ha! Is he really pissed because he thinks I'm talking to a man? That's rich after where he spent his evening. The night before our wedding.
"You're about to make it my business."
Oh, shit. There’s no doubt in my mind that Warren will without a doubt track Marks down if I don’t tell him what he wants to know.