Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
The past forty minutes of sitting next to Damiano were the most unnerving of my life.
My hand still tingles from gripping his arm. I was so scared when the plane took off I didn’t realize I’d grabbed hold of him.
I can be glad I’m still alive after touching him without his permission.
The split second before I pulled my hand away, I felt his strength rippling beneath my fingertips.
Even where I’m sitting on the other side of the cabin, I can feel the violent energy coming from Damiano.
His refusal to answer my question makes me worry. It would be stupid to assume he took me for himself. He might have something worse planned for me.
Dio.
I suck in desperate breaths as a panic attack threatens to overwhelm me.
You’d think I’d be used to nerve-wracking situations after everything I’ve endured at the hands of my family, but sitting in a private jet with Damiano Falco and his men terrifies the living hell out of me.
Tension-filled minutes creep by slowly, a form of torture I’ve never experienced before.
I glance around the cabin, noticing most of the men are fast asleep. Including Damiano.
His guard, who’s seated next to him, is the only other person awake. Besides the flight crew, of course.
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to ease my frail nerves. It’s of no use because my uncertain future keeps making fear shudder through me.
Maybe he’s taking me for someone else?
That’s if I’m even going to get married. He might have taken me for a completely different reason.
But what?
Even though the Cosa Nostra isn’t known for dealing in sex slavery, the terrifying thought still crosses my mind.
No, that’s not the reason.
He made me put on a blouse, and I overheard him tell his men not to look at me. That means my virtue is worth something to him.
Virgins sell for a lot.
I swallow hard on the terrifying thought as my eyes lock on the Capo dei Capi. Even though he seems to be sleeping, he still looks dangerous as hell.
There’s a frown between his eyebrows, and his mouth is set in a grim line.
I wonder whether he ever relaxes.
Is he capable of laughing?
The fleeting smirk I saw earlier pops into my mind. It was only for a second, but his face transformed from deadly to downright hot.
As I stare at Damiano, I take in his black hair, his features that could easily be carved from stone, and the dark bristles on his jaw.
My gaze lowers to his neck before drifting over his broad shoulders and down his muscled biceps.
When I see his forearms and the veins snaking beneath his skin, I feel a weird sensation in my stomach. It feels like something is twisting and turning in my abdomen, and as my eyes lock on his left hand, his ring finger bare, the sensation spreads to my chest.
When my eyes lift back to Damiano’s face and I see the grim lines pulling around his mouth, I shake my head.
Then I lock eyes with his guard, who’s watching me like a hawk.
He shakes his head slowly before murmuring, “Stop whatever you’re thinking.”
Crap.
I tear my eyes away from the guard’s and wrap my arms around myself.
I hope the man doesn’t think I was plotting to kill his boss.
At some point during the long flight, the flight attendant gives everyone food. Even though I’m not hungry, I eat some of the lamb shank and mashed potatoes because I have no idea when I’ll get food again.
After we’ve all had our meals, I notice Damiano and his guard are caught in a serious conversation.
I hope the guard doesn’t tell him I was staring at him while he was resting.
Lifting my hand, I wipe my fingers over my forehead, where a tension headache is forming.
I have no idea how long the flight is, and unable to sleep, I just sit and stare at nothing in particular. My thoughts are overwhelmed with everything that’s happened and my uncertain future.
My family probably only cares about what they might gain from Damiano taking me. They’re definitely not worried about my safety, and they sure as hell won’t miss me.
No one cares about what happens to me.
The thought makes a forlorn feeling ghost through my chest.
Lifting my chin, I suck in a deep breath while I forcefully squash the gloomy feeling.
I have myself.
I’ve survived beatings, starvation, and years of neglect. I’ll survive whatever lies in my future.
When the flight attendant announces that we’re landing in ten minutes, my stomach turns into a queasy mess.
Crap, I shouldn’t have eaten.
My hands grip the armrests tightly, my nails digging into the expensive leather as I try to brace myself.
“Come,” Damiano’s guard suddenly says as he unclips my seat belt.
Taking hold of my elbow, he helps me to my feet, and I’m once again steered to the seat beside Damiano.