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)
My question is sympathetic. “Can I make you a cup of herbal tea?”
Dante chuckles. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those health fanatics with hang-ups about caffeine and sugar and every fucking thing that tastes good.”
Remembering what the coach said last night about the baby already discerning voices and words in the mother’s womb from as early as sixteen weeks, I lean over the counter and slap Dante upside the head. “No swearing in front of Anya.”
He rubs his head. “Have you lost your f—” Correcting himself, he continues, “Have you lost your mind?”
Anya shoots me a look. “Saverio likes to be over-protective.”
“No s—” Dante shakes his head. “No kidding.”
“Toast?” I ask Anya. “I got fresh beef tomatoes.”
She takes an apple from the bowl on the counter. “Thanks for the offer, but I have somewhere to be. I’ll grab something on the way. Enjoy your breakfast.”
I put down my mug. “I’ll drive you.”
She stops. “Oh, no. That’s not necessary.”
Is it me or she turned a little pale?
“It’s no trouble,” I say. “I was planning on spending more time with you today, my love.”
She purses her lips.
“Grab a jacket,” I say. “The weather is turning.”
She spins around and marches to the door with me short on her heels.
“Okay,” Dante calls after us. “I’ll just see myself out.”
I fetch my leather jacket and wait for her at the door.
Once we’re in the Corvette, I ask, “Where to?”
She crosses her arms. “I have a private life, you know.”
“I beg to differ.” The muscles around my eyes tighten as a foul suspicion hits me. “Are you hiding something from me?” Murderous intention fires through my veins. “Who are you going to see?”
“No one,” she cries out. “Well, not who you think.”
I’ll fucking kill him. My tone is sardonic. Cold. I already imagine driving my knife into his belly and gutting him. “Who do I think?”
“When will you believe me? I’m not going to the police. How can I? Thanks to you, I’m knee-deep in this mess too. I’m an accomplice, Saverio. What do think will happen to me if I spill the beans? I’ll get arrested, that’s what. And seeing that I can’t afford a good lawyer, I’ll rot in jail.”
No. I’ll never let her rot in a cell. Besides, they’ll cut her a deal. That’s how it works. But I don’t enlighten her. “Good, then you can tell me.”
She blows out a puff of air. “I see my mom every Saturday, okay?”
Of course. That little detail was noted in the report I got on her. My jealousy clouded my reason.
I start the engine. “Why didn’t you just say so?”
“Because I don’t want you to—” She bites off the rest of her words.
Ah. Comprehension dawns. “To see where she lives,” I finish her sentence.
“Yes,” she bites out.
That, I get. Shame is a powerful emotion, but she has nothing to be ashamed of. None of it is her fault.
I ask even though I already know the address. I don’t want to remind her that I pulled information on her.
On the way, I stop at a deli for breakfast bagels and a chai ginger latte for Anya. As she can’t drink coffee, I don’t order one for me. I don’t want to tempt her with something she craves. Besides, I already had my caffeine boost for the morning.
We eat our breakfast at a small table in the back. She eats only half of the bagel before pushing back her plate and claiming she’s had enough. As the uterus grows, it can press on parts of the digestive tract. It’s better that she eats smaller meals. I’ll just feed her more often.
A few minutes later, we enter through the gates of a stately mansion. I park in the small parking lot in front of the building and help her from the car.
“Thanks.” She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth and chews it for a couple of seconds before saying, “I can take a taxi when I’m done.”
That’s laughable. “I’m coming in with you.”
She clutches the strap of her bag that’s slung over her shoulder. “Why?”
“Given how serious our relationship is getting, it’s normal that I meet your mother. Wouldn’t you say so?”
“I don’t—”
Not giving her a chance to finish, I usher her to the door and knock.
Footsteps sound on the other side. I look up, taking in the bars in front of the windows.
A mature man dressed in scrubs opens the door. His face lights up when he sees Anya, but when he notices me, a question passes through his eyes.
Addressing Anya, he says, “You brought company.”
Clearly flustered, Anya says, “Um, yes. This is Saverio, my, um—”
“Fiancé,” I say, holding out a hand. “Well, future fiancé. We haven’t chosen the ring yet.”
Anya looks at me quickly, her pretty eyes flaring.
The man frowns. “I’m Bertrand.” He shakes my hand. “That was fast.”