Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
My dry lips part, and the single word trembles between us. “Yes.”
“Don’t get in my way, and you might survive living here,” he murmurs darkly.
I seriously doubt that.
He begins to walk, and his arm brushes against mine as he passes me.
“Come, topolina.”
My eyes flick to the TV, and I see Louisa cleaning Dad’s face. They’re quiet, and she keeps glancing nervously at Renzo’s two men, who are still watching them.
I wonder what Dad’s going to tell her. How will he explain why I’m not home?
Again, I’m struck hard with the realization that Dad bought a kidney on the black market. Renzo’s little brother was killed so I could live.
And now I’m a prisoner of a deranged man.
God help me.
“Skylar!” Renzo’s voice cracks like thunder in the air.
I jerk with fright and quickly rush to catch up to him, where he’s already halfway up the stairs.
At this rate, I’m going to die of a heart attack.
I follow Renzo to a bedroom that’s more luxurious than mine at home.
Crime must really pay well.
There’s a king-sized bed with light gray and cream bedding and pillows. A window and sliding door give me a stunning view of a balcony where potted ferns surround an outdoor lounge suite. I see skyscrapers and can only imagine how beautiful the view must be at night.
The wall behind the bed is made of slated granite, and to my left is a spacious walk-in closet that doesn’t look like it’s been used before.
I see another door, and cautiously moving closer, I peek into the ensuite bathroom, fitted with a shower and a tub that can easily pass for a jacuzzi.
Not bad for a prison cell.
“Your belongings will be here soon,” Renzo mutters before he steps away from the open door and disappears down the hallway.
I walk to the doorway and watch as he enters the room at the end of the hallway, which I’m guessing is his.
Letting out a sigh, I step back into the bedroom and shut the door. I dart to the bathroom to relieve my poor bladder that’s been put through the wringer.
While I wash my face, my eyes lock on my disheveled reflection, and all the hell I’ve been forced to endure the past twenty-four hours floods back like a destructive tsunami.
He shot Dr. Bentall as if it was nothing.
Renzo just killed him.
I squeeze my eyes shut as tears threaten to fall.
I’m a prisoner in a cold-hearted monster’s penthouse.
God! After surviving the past three years and getting a second chance at life, this madness happens?
I hear movement in the bedroom and suck in a deep breath of air before I go to check who it is.
Men throw trash bags filled with my clothes and belongings on the floor. They don’t glance in my direction once, and when they leave, they don’t bother shutting the door.
Staring at my clothes, I realize this is really happening. It’s not a nightmare I’ll wake from. It’s not my imagination playing tricks on me.
I’ve been taken captive by a ruthless mafia boss who kills without blinking an eye.
Chapter 19
Renzo
I lied.
I’ve seen every fucking bare inch of Skylar’s delectable body.
I lied because I didn’t want her to have that kind of knowledge. If she finds out I’ve seen her naked, she might get it in her head to seduce me in an attempt to gain her freedom. It’s the last thing I need. She’s my prisoner, and that’s the extent of our relationship.
After I’ve showered, I change into black suit pants, a crisp white dress shirt, and a vest. I don’t bother with a jacket as I don’t plan to leave the apartment.
Tucking my Glock behind my back into the waistband of my pants, I let out a sigh as I leave my bedroom.
When Carlo dropped off Skylar’s shit, I told him to go shopping so the woman will have ingredients to cook with. I’ve watched her long enough to know exactly what she needs to prepare a five-star meal.
Dario will finally get his wish for me to eat healthier. That should put a smile on his face.
Passing the guestroom where Skylar is, I notice the door’s shut, and I don’t hear anything.
I take the stairs down, and when I reach the living room, my eyes scan over every live feed from the Davies mansion. I grab the remote and turn up the sound.
“…can’t go to the police,” Harlan snaps at his housekeeper, who has tears running down her face. “We can’t do anything that will risk Skylar’s life.”
“How did this happen?” Louisa asks. “Just as things were finally returning to normal and Skylar wasn’t sick anymore. This isn’t right, Mr. Davies.”
“You think I don’t know that?”
The man’s losing his cool. Good.
“Skylar is my entire life! She’s my daughter,” he continues to shout, the unrelenting worry on his face giving me great satisfaction.