Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 108868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
I’ve been expecting it, ever since he met us at the museum and barely said a word, and again on the short flight, though he held my hand, I was sure it was only out of kindness. Now he looked so stern as the rest of his family disappeared inside. I felt like I was going to throw up when he just stopped and looked down at me.
“I told you to pick your head up.” I couldn’t tell from his voice what kind of mood he was in, and when I lifted my head and looked at him, his eyes gave nothing away. “I’m going to ask you a question, think carefully before you answer, and only give me the truth. Whatever you say will decide my next move.”
His words were more frightening than my own thoughts. What does he mean? What’s he going to ask me? I nodded my head all the same even though I was afraid and far from ready for what was about to come. “First, let me ask you, did you call your dad at all this weekend?” The question seemed odd, but odder still was the fact that I’d only now realized I hadn’t and hadn’t even thought of it.
He wanted the truth, so I gave it to him. “No, I didn’t think to call him.” There was a bit of sadness with the realization. I don’t hate my dad; I kinda feel sorry for him, truth be told. He seems blind to the things going on around him, not that that’s an excuse, but it’s sad to see the strong, loving man I used to know turn into what he’s become.
“Next question. Do you want to go back home with things the way they are?”
“What do you mean? What else can I do?”
“Just answer the question, do you want to go back there now?” I did as he asked and gave it some thought before rushing to give an answer.
His eyes were unreadable still, but I remembered the question he’d asked me before about trusting him. I felt a strange tingling in my limbs and at the tips of my fingers while my heart picked up its pace. “If I had a choice, no.” It felt like a betrayal to my dad to say those words and also as if I’d stepped off a cliff into the unknown.
But something, maybe the look of promise that entered his eyes at my answer, was telling me it was the right one. “Okay, if we do this, we’ll do it my way, understood?”
“I don’t… what do you mean? Do what your way?”
“From now on, you’ll do what I say, follow my lead. If you do that, no one can touch you. If things change and you want to go back before I think you’re ready, just say the word.”
Why do I get the feeling that he’s struggling with this decision as much as I am? “Why are you doing this?”
“Why do you think?” What a loaded question.
“Go on inside. I’ll be right back.”
“What are you going to do?” I had the feeling he was going to my house to see my dad.
“I’ll be right back. If there’s anything you need from your house, we’ll pick it up tomorrow after school. There’s something in my room for you. I’ll see you upstairs.” He walked off in the direction of the front of the house, and I had no choice but to follow the others inside.
What did he mean there was something in his room? He’d been gone all weekend; what could he possibly have put in there? No-one stopped me when I made my way inside; they all acted as if it were natural for me to just walk up the stairs and into his room. The twins were holding their pets like their long-lost children, which brought a smile to my face.
I opened the door to Gabriel’s room and came up short with a lump in my throat. Sitting on the floor next to his bed in a carrier was a perfect replica of the two dogs I’d just seen downstairs, down to the jeweled collar and all.
Tears blinded me as I walked over to let the little beauty out of the carrier and into my arms. He bought me a dog. Gabriel Russo bought me a dog. I don’t know why after all the other stuff, this one should get to me, but it did. I hugged the dog to my chest and let the tears that I’d been holding at bay fall.
VICTORIA
“Isn’t Felix back yet? How long has he been gone?”
“No, he’s not back yet, and didn’t I tell you to keep calling him dad? No wonder things are getting away from us; you keep messing up.”
“Oh please, get real. I’m not the one who’s supposed to keep him hooked; that’s your department. I just want that bitch to get back here so I can show her what’s what.”