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)
With Mom standing behind Dad, she’s not able to see as he mouths, ‘It’s disgusting.’
Mom takes the bag from the trashcan and says, “Make sure your father eats every last bite while I take this out.”
“Okay.”
The moment she disappears out the backdoor, I reach for the bowl and shovel the oatmeal into my mouth. I manage to make a huge dent in it before I have to pass the bowl back to him.
“This is why you’re my favorite daughter.”
I roll my eyes at him and swallow before I mutter, “I’m your only daughter, Dad.”
“Right.”
Mom comes back inside and takes one look at the almost empty bowl, then says, “What did you do with the rest of the oatmeal?”
“I told Dad I’d visit for Thanksgiving and Christmas if he ate his breakfast.”
Smiles erupt on my parents' faces.
“That’s wonderful news,” Mom exclaims, then she taps Dad on the shoulder. “See, it’s good when you eat your oatmeal.”
Dad gives me a wink, then tells Mom, “I’d eat anything you put down in front of me to have Sammie here for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
Mom washes her hands, then asks, “Are you ready to go, sweetie? We don’t want to be late for your flight.”
“Yes.” I make a whining sound as I get up and pout. “It sucks being an adult. I wish I could stay longer.”
“Us too, sweetie.”
I kiss Dad on the cheek. “Thanks for an amazing week, Dad.”
“Anytime. Let us know when you land safely in New York.”
Nodding, I follow Mom to the front door and haul my luggage to the Prius.
The drive to the airport is quiet, and by the time Mom drops me off, my heart is heavy with dread.
I give her a quick hug. “I’m going to miss you.”
“Me too, sweetie.” She pulls back, and her eyes drift over my face. “I love you.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
Taking hold of my luggage, I pull it behind me as I walk into the airport. I check in and go through security while my thoughts revolve around everything that’s happened.
Tomorrow, I have to go back to work and what? Pretend like nothing happened?
I was wary of Mr. Vitale before I knew he was a mob boss, but now I’m downright terrified of the man.
Chapter 24
Franco
When I climb through Samantha’s window, there’s no sign of her.
I move toward the bedroom, and looking inside, I see her standing on her toes so she can put her luggage on the top shelf.
Christ, it’s good to see her.
I walk closer, and coming up behind her, I take hold of her hip.
“Oh Jesus,” she gasps before stumbling backward and colliding with my chest.
“Welcome home,” I say, my tone soft. I lean down until my mouth is by her ear. “I missed you.”
She turns around, and giving me a playful look of warning, she says, “Don’t sneak up on me. You’ll give me a heart attack.”
“Sorry, baby.”
She wraps her arms around my waist and says, “I missed you too.”
“I missed you more.” I lift my hands and brush my palms over her bare shoulders and arms. “You look beautiful in this dress.”
“I’m glad you like it.” She grins up at me. “I got it in Seattle.”
My eyes search her face before I ask, “Did you have a nice time?”
“The best.” She turns around and closes the closet doors, then says, “I ate way too much food. The vacation did me a world of good.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
She comes to stand in front of me again. “How was your week?”
Fucking exhausting.
I shrug. “I kept busy with work.” I bring my hand to her face and brush a finger along her jaw. “What do you want to do tonight?”
She pulls away from me and says, “I don’t know if it’s worth going through the list because it’s not helping. Even though I don’t get panic attacks with you, I still crap myself around other men.”
“All men?” I ask because she doesn’t lose her shit when I touch her as myself and not her mystery man.
She thinks for a moment, then mutters, “For some reason, I’m kind of okay with my boss. At least I was before…”
Samantha doesn’t have to finish the sentence. I know she’s talking about before the attack and finding out I’m one of the heads of the Cosa Nostra.
Wanting to help her deal with her demons, I say, “I think we should continue working through your list. You never know what might help.”
She nods then gestures at the bed. “I can always try lying down with you.”
I look at the light green covers with a leaf pattern printed on them. “How do you want to do this?”
“I’ll lie down first and close my eyes, then you can lie beside me. Don’t say anything. I just want to listen to you moving.”
“Okay.”
She kicks off her shoes, and I watch as she climbs onto the bed. She fixes her dress before she lies down, and taking a deep breath, she closes her eyes.