Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
“Did you bring your cell phone?”
“Yes. We’re supposed to have them off, but the watchers said we need to have them on but on vibrate so they can send messages to us.”
Geno held out his hand. He put a number he used occasionally into her phone and sent her a text asking her to come upstairs, that he wanted her to take a gift to Amaranthe’s dressing room. He handed her a small box. “They won’t allow you to take it to her, but a guard will take it from you and give it to her. I was going to give it to her after. Tell Jenny I spotted you in the crowd.”
For the first time, Priscilla looked as if she wasn’t going to implode or burst into tears at any moment. “Thank you, Mr. Ferraro.”
Geno inclined his head and started to follow her out of the box to ensure her safety. Lorenzo’s voice stopped him. Stay inside the box where we control the shadows, Geno. You don’t know whether she was sent to draw you out of the safety zone.
Geno swore under his breath. He knew. His gut told him Priscilla was terrified and it had taken every ounce of courage she possessed to warn him. Lorenzo could hear lies just as well as he could.
She’s a kid, Lorenzo.
You come out of the safety zone; you leave me no choice. I guard you or your brothers, and you’re the main target, so I’m sticking with you. We’re stretched thin, Geno.
Geno understood how frustrating it was for men like Val and Dario to be surrounded by personal protectors who refused to give them space—especially when one of them was a shadow rider like Emmanuelle. She could follow them anywhere. Geno had bodyguards, but he could escape them using a shadow anytime he wanted—unless—like now—his protector was a shadow rider. His cousin from San Francisco wasn’t going to be shaken off easily.
Fuck you, Lorenzo.
Lorenzo’s amusement slipped into his mind, reminding Geno of Stefano. All of them were so alike. He might have found the situation a little comical had it been one of his cousins.
Check to see if the kid made it safely onto the main floor. I don’t have the best visual.
Geno bared his teeth toward his cousin and growled low as if he were a feral animal. Salvatore and Lucca lifted an eyebrow simultaneously. He used to intimidate his brothers, but ever since he’d been with Amaranthe, he seemed to have lost his edge. Sighing, he ignored them and went to the railing to look down. Immediately, he spotted Priscilla.
Jenny cut Priscilla off from the hallway leading to the back dressing rooms. The two girls appeared to have a heated exchange, with Jenny holding out her hand for the rectangular jewelry box Priscilla had for Amaranthe. Priscilla stepped back, shaking her head. Jenny looked furious.
Geno willed Priscilla not to get overconfident. Fortunately, the head usher came up behind Jenny and directed her to the other side of the theater before speaking with Priscilla. She listened and then glanced up toward Geno’s box. He nodded to indicate Priscilla was telling her the truth. The head usher took the jewelry box from Priscilla, giving her a smile and clearly telling her where she should be working.
Geno took a deep breath and turned back to his brothers. “I detest not being able to communicate with Amara. She’d answer me if I reached out, but it wouldn’t be fair when she needs to concentrate on dancing.”
“She must be just as worried about you,” Salvatore said.
Lucca agreed. “You know how she is about you, Geno.”
“About all of us,” Geno corrected. “She’ll reach out if she needs to.” This was her time to be a dancer, not a shadow rider. Not his fiancée. She was wholly Amaranthe, a trained classical dancer.
Geno knew Amaranthe loved what she did, and she deserved her time on the stage. If she truly wanted to dance with the American Ballet Theatre, she could apply, and he would support her decision, but he would travel with her. He considered that he might prefer her dancing to her shadow riding.
The International Council couldn’t send her out on elite investigations once she was married to him, not unless he agreed to go with her. Six months was a very long time for him to be away from his territory. He doubted he would ever agree to such a lengthy time, but he didn’t rule out anything when it came to Amaranthe. Right now, he needed to remain focused on her safety—and that of his brothers and cousins. They were all bait to draw out the murderers.
Bells dinged and the lights dimmed three times before they went off and the theater darkened. A hush of anticipation fell over the audience. Geno found himself sitting again, his breath catching in his throat. He’d seen Amaranthe dance in the privacy of their bedroom, and he’d been utterly mesmerized by her. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to see her perform on the stage in a full-scale production.