Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
One of the guards opens the door downstairs for me. When Kevin asks if I’m heading home, I hesitate. On impulse, I ask him to go past the office again.
Zack is at his post when I walk inside.
His smile slips when he looks up and notices it’s me.
“Hey,” I say, trying to get a read on him.
He gives a stiff nod. “Ms. Brennan.”
I frown. “What’s with the formal greeting?” My laugh is uncomfortable. “I’ve always been Anya, haven’t I?”
He sits up straighter. “Things are different now.”
“Are they? Different how?”
He glances through the window behind me. “You’re with Mr. De Luca.”
“How does that change anything?”
His tone is cold. “I know who he is.”
I think everyone does, but I don’t want to say that. I can hardly stand here and admit that my fake boyfriend is a big bad mafia guy.
“Look,” he says, appearing nervous, “I don’t want trouble. I just want to do my job and keep under the radar if you know what I mean.”
Even though I understand his reasoning, his rejection hurts. He’s right not to want anything to do with me.
“I’m just a security guard, Ms. Brennan, but I’m not stupid.” He adds with hostility, “I have no proof, but I know in my gut Mr. De Luca had something to do with Mr. Lewis’s murder.”
I have nothing to say to that. I can only stare at him.
He stands. “I appreciate your kindness, but it’s better that we keep our distance.”
“Right,” I say, shame burning on my cheeks. “That’s why you returned the book.”
His smile is wry. “I don’t want to give Mr. De Luca the wrong idea about us. I’ve got eyes in my head. I’ve seen the way he is with you. Something like that can get someone like me killed.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way.” What else can I say?
“Good night, Ms. Brennan,” he says, dismissing me with a decisive tilt of his head toward the door.
I turn for the exit, understanding how a life with Saverio will be like. The good and honest people will shun me. They’ll fear me. I’ll end up having to cut out everything that’s good and embrace the darkness. I’ll have to teach my baby about values and principles while sleeping with the monster.
I’ll have to find a way of forgiving myself for falling for a killer.
CHAPTER
SIX
Saverio
The sun peeks through the gap in the curtains. It’s Saturday. Bird song sounds outside. I should’ve gotten out of bed and gone for my run and morning workout hours ago, but Anya lies cozily against me, the curve of her back fitting against my stomach and chest, and I loathe to disturb her.
I sweep a hand over her stomach and cup the little bump that’s steadily growing day after day. She’s perfect from her head to her toes, but this is still my favorite part of her. I can never grow tired of watching her body change. She looks so fucking beautiful I wish I could give her six more kids and keep her pregnant forever. But that’s just my fanciful thinking going off the rails again.
Because things are what they are.
Even if I had a choice, I’d never put her through the pain and possible complications of giving birth again.
This is the first and the last baby she’s having.
I intend on making the most of every moment. I want to burn each second into my brain. If I could, I’d stay in bed with her all day, but there’s much to be done—doctor’s visits, prenatal classes, baby shopping, and Livy sent me a text message to ask who’s organizing Anya’s baby shower. I told her to go ahead and knock herself out. Anya’s mother sure as hell isn’t going to lift a finger. And all of those items on my checklist are just the tip of the iceberg.
Anya needs to get her driver’s license before she’s seven months pregnant. The baby can come early. I want it to be done before. She needs her own piece. I already ordered the handgun from my supplier. When it arrives, she has to practice target shooting to familiarize herself with the new weapon. She’ll be busy enough being a mother once the baby is there.
The object of my thoughts stirs.
I push up on one elbow to look at her. I love how relaxed and innocent she looks before reality and weariness set in to eradicate the softness of her sleepy expression.
Her long, golden lashes lift.
Nuzzling her neck, I inhale the sweet summer scent of her skin and hair. “How did you sleep?”
I’m worried that she’s not getting enough quality rest. I make sure she’s in bed for at least eight hours per night, but she has dark rings under her eyes. My treasure is tired.
It’s not just the toll the pregnancy is taking on her body. She’s been quiet and secretive since the wedding. I know her well enough by now to know she’s keeping something from me. Not surprising, seeing what the nature of our relationship is. All the same, I want her and the baby to be healthy.