Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
“Sav,” she whispers. “You’re scaring me. Why are you saying this?”
“You know what kind of man I am. You know the life I lead.”
“What’s going on?”
“Just promise me you’ll do that.”
She utters an uncertain, “Okay.”
“Good girl.” I kiss her lips. “Now get behind the wheel. Let’s have some fun.”
CHAPTER
THIRTY-ONE
Anya
I’m shaky when we get home. I try not to show it as Saverio helps me from the car and walks me inside the house.
The reason for my turmoil isn’t the driving lesson. Saverio was nothing but patient. He’s a great teacher. What’s eating at me is the strange key in my handbag. It’s what he said about the money and the car key in the safe. He’s worried that something may happen to him.
The notion of Saverio’s heart no longer beating with a strong and steady rhythm in his chest makes me shudder. I can’t imagine his virile body cold and lifeless and the intense light in his blue eyes gone. That in itself should shock me. Isn’t that what I should want? To be free from the hold he has on my life? Instead, the implied meaning of his words shook me to my core, not only because, as he declared himself, if he’s no longer here, there will be no one to protect me, but also because the idea of anyone killing him threatens to bring me to my knees.
“Hungry?” Saverio asks, hanging his jacket in the entrance closet.
My smile is tremulous. “Yes.”
I don’t have an appetite. It’s just an excuse to send him to the kitchen so that I can get away.
He studies me. “Tomato soup? I had some delivered from the deli.”
Fiddling with the strap of my bag where it hangs over my shoulder, I say, “That sounds good.”
He homes in on my fidgeting. When he reaches for my bag, it takes every ounce of my self-control not to cling to it. My heart slams between my ribs as I let the strap drop down my arm. I stop breathing when he takes the bag.
Does he suspect something?
I blink rapidly, trying to disguise my anxiety.
Please don’t open it.
If he finds the key, he’ll demand what it is and where I found it. For the life of me, I can’t think up a lie that will sound convincing.
My gaze is glued to his actions, following his movements as he puts the bag on the entrance table. I suppress the urge to jump forward and snatch it up.
He steps behind me. “I’ll go warm up the soup.”
My heart rate goes into overdrive, but I don’t dare to look at him. All I can do is wait and pray he’s not onto me. Guilt put visions in my head. For a moment, I imagine him wrapping his hands around my neck.
Instead, he helps me to remove my coat. “Unless you want to shower first?”
“No,” I say quickly, not wanting him to follow me upstairs. “We can eat early. I just want to freshen up before dinner.”
I give him my most natural smile. My pulse goes through the roof as I walk casually to the table and take my bag. Blood gushes in my ears as I wait for him to stop me with a word or a gesture, but he only busies himself with putting my coat on a hanger.
I escape to the stairs, forcing myself to walk normally and not to run. Halfway up, I glance back. He stands next to the closet, staring after me with narrowed eyes. My heartbeat triples, pounding in my chest.
Every step I take on the landing keeps beat in my temples. Once I’m in the hallway and out of sight, I rush to the bedroom. I haven’t had time to think of a good hiding place. For now, I sprint to the dressing room, take the key from my bag, and shove it into the pocket of an A-line coat that’s designed for a later stage of pregnancy. I drop my handbag on the bench and hurry to the bathroom. I’ve barely opened the tap to splash cold water on my face when a knock falls on the door.
“Anya?”
Taking a deep breath, I close the tap. “Yes?”
The door opens. Saverio stands on the threshold, taking me in with a too watchful gaze. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.” I force a smile and grab a towel to dry my hands, pretending to be engrossed in the task so that I don’t have to meet his eyes. I’m too scared he’ll see the truth on my face. “I’ll be down in a sec.”
A big hand curls around my shoulder, making me jump.
Saverio turns me to him. “Something happened at work. I know you.” The look in his pale eyes darkens. “You’re going to tell me what it is. We’re not leaving this room until you do.”
I swallow, thinking fast. “It’s Ms. Price. I think she’s upset because I lied on my application. She’s punishing me by making me do filing.”