Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 102546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“I don’t know any of that.” He sighs, his face falling. “Matteo wants me to suffer, knowing that our father is selling her because I didn’t keep my end of the deal.”
“I can’t believe this.” I give him my back and start to pace the room. “You should have told me. At least given me a heads-up, so I could have bought her some time.”
“I didn’t know how you’d react …”
“We take care of our own!” I yell, getting more pissed off by the second. “You think I would have let this happen had I known the possibilities of what he would do to her?”
“I’m not here to argue with you about the past. I’m here begging you to help me give her a chance at a future. Are you going to help us or not?”
“I’ll do it,” I growl, not happy with this situation, but what other choice does this woman have? I saw the video, and I know her options are grim.
Silence falls over the room, and then he nods his head before he starts getting dressed and runs out of my office, not saying another word.
I sit down at my desk and run a hand down my face. “Fuck!” I hiss.
Picking up my cell, I call one of my friends who lives in New York. He answers on the second ring. “Hello?”
“Hey, I need a favor.”
“What is it?” Tristan Decker asks.
“Know of any auctions coming up shortly?” If anyone knows, Tristan does. This is his business. This is his life.
He starts laughing. “Since when are you into buying art?”
“I’m doing a favor for someone.”
“Just so happens, a shipment was delivered last week. The auction for the cargo is in five days. Word is a lot of whales will be there to see the art. Are you looking to buy or just observing?”
“Buy. Ten million.”
He whistles. “Damn, that is one hell of a favor.”
Tell me about it. “I need something for after I’ve purchased.”
“After …?”
“You know, so I can ship the art to the buyer.” I remain talking in code. You never can be too careful these days. Even cell phones can be tampered with. That’s why we conduct all our business meetings in a room equipped with jammers.
“Ahh, I have what you need. Bring it by my house after you’ve made your purchase, and I’ll have it ready for delivery.”
I did what needed to be done. And I need to let it go. The elevator dings, and I sigh, putting my cell away. The less contact I have with her, the better. She’ll never call me, and that’s best for both of us.
CHAPTER SEVEN
MIA
Three weeks later
“FIND ME” BY TeZATalks plays in my ears as I approach the beach house. Slowing to a walk, I remove the earbuds and enter through the glass front doors, placing the cell on the table in the foyer. Taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart from my run, I make my way to the kitchen.
The house sits by itself right on the ocean. The back of the house is nothing but floor-to-ceiling sliding glass windows. I leave them open all the time. I like to hear the ocean. The breeze and the smell remind me of Italy. Even though I was trapped in that castle, I miss the view and the warm weather. I wonder if that’s why the man who bought me shipped me here?
I dream about him. The way he kissed me, then just left. I hate the way my body reacts to him, even in my sleep. I wake up alone with my skin tingling. So I run. It helps clear my mind. I try to forget him, but it never seems to work. He’s still here, demanding attention. His presence fills the large house. His scent lingers in the air. Even the ocean can’t mask it.
I go to turn around and enter the living room but freeze. A cold chill runs up my spine and paralyzes me where I stand. Someone’s here. My skin tingles, and I break out in goose bumps. I didn’t see any cars in the driveway when I returned. But then again, I was only gone for about thirty minutes. I didn’t run as far as I had been. “Hello?” I call out.
Silence greets me, and my breathing becomes louder. Blood rushes in my ears, and I swallow. “I know you’re there.” I can feel it. The coldness in the room. Maybe the man is here to kick me out. Or to take me back to my father. I’ll beg him not to make me go. This is the freest I’ve ever felt in my life, and that’s pretty fucking sad.
Laughter comes from behind me, and my stomach drops. Two distinctive sounds that I’ve known all my life.
I turn around to see my brothers, Matteo and the twins standing there. Matteo leans against the glass door.