Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
I retrieve the box from my bedside table and turn to hand it to him. He takes the box with an amused smile on his lips. I watch with bated breath as he opens it.
He pulls the lid off the box and pulls the pocket watch from inside. I smile as he brushes his thumb across the design on the outside. It’s his initials, MD. He clicks the button to open the watch, and “Für Elise” begins to play, bringing a smile to his lips. My heart swells.
I will forever think of him whenever I hear this song. It makes me think of the time when he gave me my first piano and sat to play with me. He lifts his blue gaze to look at me and smiles.
“Thank you, Sim. I have something for you too.”
I reach for the band on my wrist and begin to pop it. Michael places the watch in his pocket and turns to my vanity, where my jewelry box sits. I watch him closely.
He opens the jewelry box and reaches in for my rings. He then pulls a box from his other pocket and turns to hold it out to me. Confused, I step forward slowly.
“Wh … what is it?” I ask as I take the box with shaky hands.
“Open it.”
I open the box and find a pretty necklace resting inside. I pull it out and hold it up. It’s a white gold wheat chain.
Michael takes it from my fingertips and opens it. He then slides my rings onto the chain. He holds the chain up and motions me to him.
I turn and he places it around my neck. I reach to cover the rings as they rest against my skin. Looking over my shoulder, I stare up at him.
“How does it feel? Does it bother you?” he asks with concern.
“No. Thank you. I will not take it off. Thank you, Michael.”
He holds my gaze as he reaches for one of my locs. “This is gorgeous on you. What made you change it?”
I turn away and take a step away from him. I love his touch, but I feel like I’m about to lose control. I begin to pop the band on my wrist and try not to start chewing on my tongue.
I’m afraid to do something to mess the moment up. The butterflies in my belly are taking over. I never told him why I don’t wear my rings, but I feel as if he knows.
Michael seems to know me better than I know myself sometimes. It’s in the way he watches and studies me. I get the feeling he wants to know what makes me tick.
It takes me a moment to get it together. I still don’t know how to tell him my feelings. A part of me feels like it’s better not to.
“I wanted to do something different. Something I would be able to maintain without a lot of fuss,” I say to answer his question.
He nods. “Come, let’s go get something to eat.”
CHAPTER 19
Brokenhearted
Michael
Now that I’ve seen the fortress Uri has built around Sim I believe I might have made the right decision after all. Especially since we weren’t given the go-ahead to execute Trovati.
After what I did to his right hand and his girlfriend, I know he’s not going to disappear forever. He is quiet for now because he’s plotting. I can feel it.
I won’t chance Sim being out in the open where he can find her. Uri and I will be returning to Italy, so America will be of no interest to him. I have been in London for the last two months, causing everyone who sees me to think I’m Uri while he has been here taking care of Sim and getting her settled.
We found out that Leonardo got lucky in targeting two of the right places in search of us. His right hand used two different crews who weren’t in communication with each other. I killed the only link the two crews had to each other.
There is no way for Leonardo to find out both crews thought they were targeting Uri but only one was close. I didn’t regret my decision to kill his right hand from the start. After finding out this information, I was more so confident that I made the right move.
“It is best for you to be here,” I murmur into Sim’s hair as she sobs.
This is killing me. We’ve been standing in the foyer of the house for the last half hour as she clings to me crying as Uri, Annabella, and I try to leave. I have spent two weeks with her.
We went shopping so I could spoil her. I’ve taken her to the movies. We’ve been out to dinner almost every other night. Sim has had my undivided attention.
I feel so wrong leaving her behind, but Italy is too dangerous for me to take her back with me. I’m an assassin for my family. I am never in one place.