Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81292 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“I know, but I would like to help.”
“No,” Milah said. She was done playing this game. “I can take care of myself, Glory. I appreciate it.” Clearly, she wasn’t ready to call the other woman out on her games.
What happened to Alicia?
What happened to Valentino?
There were so many questions, and all she wanted to do was go and read that damn book.
“I tried looking for you today,” Glory said. “The pups missed you.”
“I went exploring the grounds once I took care of the pups,” Milah said. “I don’t like being cooped up for too long. I like to be outside.”
Glory nodded. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“I … thank you for being my friend,” Glory said.
Milah glanced at her in the mirror, and she wanted to ask, to finally get it out in the open, but instead, she continued on as normal. A smile.
The lies were still forming between them. They were not friends.
“I’m nearly ready,” Milah said. “Do you want to go tell Damon?”
The dress Glory had helped her into was on the tight side. Her stomach wasn’t getting smaller, but much bigger. She felt a little swollen today.
Glory left the room, and as soon as she did, Milah collapsed on the edge of the bed.
“I know I was being a little mean there, but she’s … she’s not my friend. She works for Damon. Your daddy.” She scrunched up her face. That was certainly a sentence she never hoped to string together. “I can’t tell anyone this, but I think … I think I like him, and that is so fucking scary, and I’m going to try and not curse so much anymore. You’ve already got the Russo and De Luca genes, let’s not add to it.”
She rubbed her stomach, already feeling a great deal of love for the little baby growing inside her.
Regardless of how she felt about her baby’s father, she knew without a doubt she loved her child.
****
Dinner.
Damon had spent way too much time working lately, and he didn’t want Milah to feel rejected.
A nice, candlelit dinner. Soft music. The restaurant had other guests, and Milah looked so beautiful.
Glory had reported to him that Milah had gone missing. They couldn’t find her, but all the guards he spoke with told him that she’d been in the house the whole time. Was she trying to hide from Glory?
If so, why?
Why didn’t she want to be with Glory? Did she know he used the maid to gain information?
“You look stunning tonight,” he said.
“And you’re full of compliments tonight. You look very handsome yourself.”
He ran his hand down his jacket. “I tried.”
The waiter came and poured them both some water. Milah thanked the waiter.
In his breast pocket, he felt the wedding band he had taken the time to pick out. Raoul had told him he’d been acting too hasty, but he’d wanted to get the ring and not miss an opportunity like this.
They were surrounded by people.
Milah was pregnant with his child. She was going to give birth as his wife.
“This is a nice place,” Milah said.
“Milah, I know we got off on the wrong foot.”
“Really? You could have fooled me,” she said, laughing.
“I’m being serious.”
“I’m joking, Damon. Come on, we can’t be too serious.” She smiled at him. “Our circumstances can’t be changed but we’re here now.”
“True.” He lifted his glass and took a long swig. “You’re an amazing woman. Kind. Thoughtful. I didn’t know enough about you when I made that deal with your father.” He reached into his jacket pocket, and Milah’s gaze went wide.
She reached over the table and put her hand on top of his. “Stop this.”
“Milah!”
“I haven’t asked for much, but I am begging you, not to … do this here.”
He glanced around the room. Damon figured she could turn down a proposal when it was just the two of them, but in a roomful of diners, she’d struggle to do so.
“Milah.”
“Damon, don’t.”
“I want to be a good man to you. A father to our child. I want to make up for everything that I’ve done, and the only way to do that is if you give me a chance.”
Milah shook her head, and he saw the tears glinting in her eyes.
He was about to get on one knee and do a big speech, but Milah shocked him as she shoved her chair away from the table and stormed out of the restaurant.
Damon saw they’d gained some attention, but he sent a glare their way, forcing them to look away. No one paid him any attention as he rushed out of the restaurant. The shoes Milah wore were on the high side, so she didn’t get very far.
His guards had always been warned to constantly keep an eye on her and to keep their distance.
“Milah!” He yelled her name.
“No, Damon. That’s why you wanted me to go to a nice and fancy restaurant with you, isn’t it?” she asked. “It has nothing to do with me or the baby, or to just spend some time together. It was an ulterior motive. Were those people actors?”