Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 84219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
I should be meeting with Renzo and the others, but I can’t make myself leave Samantha. Not until I’m sure she’ll be okay.
As I look at the woman who’s making me feel things I’ve never felt before, I pray to all that’s holy she falls in love with me.
If I can make her love me, then she might accept it when she learns I’m her mystery man. I don’t know what I’ll do if she rejects me.
I’ll probably kidnap her so she can’t leave me.
I feel my phone vibrate and know it’s a signal from Marcello that everything is ready.
“Let’s go, baby,” I say as I take her hand.
When I pull her toward the window, she tugs against my hold. “I’m leaving through the front door. I’ll meet you outside.”
Right.
Not even thinking about what I’m doing, I wrap my other hand around the back of her neck and press a kiss to her mouth. Even though the balaclava is in the way, I can still feel her lips.
Christ, I want this woman so bad I’ll do anything to make her mine.
Love me back, Samantha.
I let go of her and climb out the window so she can close it behind me.
Heading down the fire escape, I jump to the ground and rush to where the Mercedes is parked. I glance up the street and see the G-Wagon, then climb behind the steering wheel.
I don’t wait long before Samantha opens the passenger door and gets into the car.
Starting the engine, I guide the vehicle into traffic, and as we drive to Dante’s tattoo place, I ask, “Are you feeling better?”
Samatha shrugs and glances out the window. “It comes and goes.” She turns her gaze to me. “I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet.”
Yeah, I don’t think so, either. She’s way too fucking calm. Either that or this woman is the strongest person I know.
When I park the car behind the building where the tattoo parlor is, we get out of the Mercedes. I take Samantha’s hand and lead her to the back entrance.
“Will you be okay with Dante touching you?” I ask.
“Dante? Is he the tattoo artist?”
“Yes.”
“Only time will tell,” she murmurs before we go inside.
Dante’s busy getting everything ready, and when he sees us, a grin spreads over his face.
I informed him about Samantha and that he needs to be gentle with her. I also told him he can’t call me by my name around her, and I’ll be wearing a balaclava.
“Did you close the store?” I ask.
“Yes. No one will bother us.” He gets up from his stool and comes to shake my hand. “It’s been a while. How are you?”
“Good.” I gesture to my woman. “This is Samantha.”
He gives her a friendly smile. “Nice to meet you.” Pointing to the tattoo chair, he says, “Take a seat.”
Letting go of Samantha’s hand, I watch as she positions herself on the chair before I move closer so I can stand next to her.
“Great,” Dante murmurs. “I was told you want a tattoo of shaded bricks with a flower growing out of them.”
Samantha nods. “And I want the words ‘stronger than ever’ over the bricks as if it’s graffiti.”
Dante nods, then asks, “Where do you want the tattoo?”
Her features tighten, and she looks more nervous than usual as she gestures at her side.
When I realize it will be a couple of inches beneath her breast, there’s a burst of jealousy in my chest because Dante will be working close to what I consider mine.
Mine?
Christ, I’m falling too fucking fast for this woman.
“Okay.” He gives her a questioning look as he takes a seat on a stool. “Can you lift your shirt so I can clean the area?”
She hesitates, and I figure it’s because she’s nervous about Dante touching her, so I place my hand on her shoulder. “I’m right here.”
She nods and swallows hard before gripping the hem of her shirt, slowly pulling it up.
I notice haphazard scars on her skin as the fabric moves up, and a frown forms on my forehead.
Then I get to see more of the scars, and it spells out a name.
Todd.
The rage hits me so hard that I take a step back as if I’ve taken an actual punch to the gut. My lips part with shock, and my vision tunnels on the name carved into her skin.
The fucker branded her.
I’m going to check Samantha’s personnel file to see which hospital she used to work at in Houston. Then I’m going to find out which fucking neurosurgeon’s name is Todd.
And then I’ll kill the fucker.
Dante masks his reaction a hell of a lot better than I do. I’m just thankful I’m wearing the balaclava because the last thing Samantha needs to see right now is the anger on my face.
She tucks the fabric neatly beneath her breasts, then turns her head so she’s looking at me.