Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
The doctor excused himself discretely, leaving us alone in the bedroom. For a moment, I expected Massimo to sweep me up in a fierce, desperate kiss.
But his phone chimed, shattering the tender moment.
He checked the message and muttered a low curse.
“Is something wrong?” I asked, worry nipping at me.
He stroked my hair. “No, dolcezza. We’re about to have a visitor.”
Fifteen minutes later, Carmen beamed at me as she settled into the plush armchair across from the couch where we were seated.
“It’s so good to see you, Evelyn. Massimo has been keeping you well guarded.” She shot him an exaggerated pout. “He wouldn’t let me visit until today.”
He draped his strong arm over me and tucked me close to his side. I leaned into him, sighing in contentment.
“He’s been taking good care of me,” I told the cartel queen. “I’m all better now.”
He dropped a kiss on the top of my head. “You still need to be careful with yourself, farfallina.”
I grasped his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “The doctor says I’m fine,” I reminded him. “Totally healed up.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Carmen said with genuine warmth. “Stefano and I have been very worried with you two shut up in here. We weren’t sure if you were on your deathbed since Massimo wouldn’t let anyone in to see you.”
Another exaggeration and a slight jab at my dark protector. I was sure that the doctor would’ve kept her informed on my progress; she was his boss. She clearly wasn’t pleased that Massimo had been keeping her locked out of a suite in her own home.
But she had allowed us privacy, so she must’ve sensed that fighting with him would accomplish nothing except upsetting me. Carmen was shrewd as well as caring. She did feel concern for me and possibly something like friendship, but she knew how to navigate tense situations with dangerous men.
“I hope you haven’t been too bored,” she drawled, another pointed remark.
“Not at all.” I defended Massimo. “He’s been teaching me Italian. Now, I’ll be ready to speak the language when we go to Naples.”
Her eyes cut to him. “Are you so keen to go soon?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw for half a second, but he managed a genial smile. “Our business is concluded. Gian and Enzo sent the payment from our end weeks ago. We can all start making money now. It’s time for me to go home and oversee the final aspects of our deal.”
Her dark brows lifted. “And what about your other business here in Mexico City? I was under the impression that it was unfinished.”
I tensed, not caring for their conversation about their criminal empires. Even though I’d accepted this part of Massimo’s life, I didn’t like hearing the details.
His thumb traced soothing circles on my upper arm, but he kept his glinting gaze fixed on Carmen. “I haven’t forgotten about that. I intend to see the job through, but I need to get Evelyn safely to Naples first. I’ll come back to tie up the loose end as soon as she’s settled.”
“What? No,” I protested. I couldn’t bear to be parted from him. My addiction to him should scare me, but I was too lost in our connection to care. And the prospect of being alone in Naples with his mafia associates unnerved me. “I want to stay with you.”
Carmen studied my panicked features. Her crimson-painted lips thinned to a slash as she considered me. Then her sharp gaze cut back to Massimo.
“Go with Evelyn. Stefano and I will handle Crawford.”
My heart skipped a beat. George. My ex-fiancé was the loose end they were discussing. Massimo and Duarte wanted him dead. The prospect made my stomach churn.
Even though I knew I wouldn’t be safe as long as George was alive, having him killed disturbed me. Would I ever become accustomed to this violent world where justice and retribution were dealt out in blood?
“I made a promise,” Massimo countered, his thumb still stroking my arm. “I intend to keep it.”
Carmen dismissed the notion with a flick of her manicured fingers. “And I’m releasing you from that promise. Besides, Stefano will prefer to handle this personally after the brazen attack on our home. Our new business venture is too important for you to linger here.”
“Evelyn won’t be safe until I end Crawford.”
I shifted against him, but he kept his attention fixed on Carmen. His arm tightened around me slightly, a reassuring embrace. He wouldn’t apologize for his intention to eliminate George as a threat, and I didn’t expect him to. I understood him well enough now to know that he would do anything to protect me. I had to trust in him if we were going to be together.
“I am more than capable of defending my own territory,” Carmen said coolly. “Crawford is a threat. I do not tolerate threats.” She tipped her chin in my direction. “Take Evelyn home. I’ll call you when it’s done.”