Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 118965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
I understand why my dad did what he did to prevent Angelo from marrying me. He wanted to spare me this life. He wanted better for me than a crime boss for a husband, a man whose family is despised in his own country. The truth is that I fell in love with my dark angel from the moment I met him, and I’ve loved him ever since. I loved him even when I hated him. Yes, it’s time to be honest. Not only for me, but for all of us—Angelo, the kids, and this baby who’s now a part of our family.
As I come to terms with my past and my future, calmness settles over me. For once, my heart beats right. This is the end of the road. The end of the war. All my dad ever wanted for me was to be happy. He’ll understand. He’ll forgive me.
As soon as my mind is made up, the permanent tension flows from my muscles. My body relaxes like it hasn’t in years. I haven’t even realized how stressed I was until this moment. The feeling of freedom returns. It’s as if I’m drifting on a cloud, filled with love and gratitude.
I close my eyes and savor the peace, simply enjoying being still and reveling in the marvel of the secret I carry in my womb. I love being alive. Every breath I drag into my lungs tastes sweet.
The slamming of the front door alerts me to a visitor. My pulse quickens. Please let it be Angelo. I’m eager to share the news. How do I do it? Do I just hand him the test? Do I tell him over a special dinner? Do I pour out my heart and beg him to give us a chance, or do I give him a couple of days to digest the fact?
Footsteps fall hard on the stairs. In my excitement, I almost forgot that there’s still the subject of Lieutenant Lavigne to discuss. Angelo will want answers, and I’m ready to give them to him.
I get up and go to the room to meet him. He enters the bedroom with long strides and stops dead when he sees me. The expression on his face catches me off guard. His features are schooled, but there’s something so wild in his eyes that I hold my tongue, waiting for him to speak.
He’s immaculately dressed as always, looking as if he’s about to walk into a boardroom meeting in his white fitted shirt and dark tailored pants. Yet he seems out of sorts. He showered recently. His hair is still damp. I can smell the soap on his skin. The subtle citrus and cedar notes of his cologne don’t mask that clean, freshly-showered scent.
Kicking back into action, he crosses the floor and reaches for me. He wraps his fingers around my nape and pulls me to him. His other hand is warm on my back as he presses my body against his and cradles my face against his chest.
We stand like that for a moment, neither of us speaking. The beat of his heart is fierce under my ear.
When I can’t take the suspense any longer, I pull away. “What’s the matter?”
He stares down at me. “I have to go away for a day.”
I tense. “Business?”
He nods.
“When?” I ask.
He strokes a thumb over my nape and moves his hand from my back to my hip. “I’m going now, as soon as I leave here.”
His touch is different—less possessive and more tender—but he’s preoccupied. The look in his eyes turns distant, as if he’s already where he’s heading, which seems miles from here. From me. It’s obviously not the moment to tell him the news. But I do have a question before he goes.
“Is it true?” I search his eyes. “Did you install cameras in the house?”
He doesn’t as much as blink. “For your own safety.”
“Don’t you understand how wrong that is?”
His face hardens with the obstinance I came to know so well. “There’s nothing wrong with keeping you safe.”
“You know Lieutenant Lavigne was here.”
A shutter drops in front of his eyes, leaving his expression blank. “Of course.”
“What were you hoping to achieve?”
“We’ll talk when I get back. There’s a lot we need to say.”
I can’t agree more.
He releases me to take his phone from his pocket. I frown when he connects a call and hands me the phone. He wants me to speak to my family now? Not that I’m complaining. Only, it’s not Ryan or my mom who answers. It’s Colin.
“Hello?” Colin says when I fail to respond.
I study my husband for a clue of his motives and clear my throat. “Um, hi. It’s Sabella.”
Silence stretches.
“Can you hear me?” I ask.
“Yeah. Yeah. Sure. I’m just…surprised.”
Angelo’s earlier internal retreat vanishes. He’s back in the moment, watching me with unwavering attention.