Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 103124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
“Follow you where? Look, I really need to get my ticket to London.”
Another beautiful blonde in a Skylar Airlines uniform appears at the counter to take over for her. She looks equally as uncomfortable but manages to give me a soft smile.
“I need to escort you to one of our security rooms,” Samantha says, walking around the desk.
She expects me to follow, but I’m not going anywhere.
I remain rooted to the spot and fold my arms.
“Something is going on, and I’m not moving a step until someone tells me what the hell is happening here. Are you going to sell me a ticket or not?”
“I’m sorry, Miss Isle Ciccula, but I’ve been instructed to do otherwise.”
“What do you mean you’ve been instructed to do otherwise? By who?”
She leans forward and whispers, “Please, this will be so much better if you just do as I say.”
The way she says it—with hectic desperation—sends a chill through me, and it’s enough for me to pick up the handle of my suitcase and follow her across the airport.
“Please tell me what is going on?” I ask as we walk through a security door leading to a long, brightly lit corridor. “I really need to get to London tonight.”
Samantha’s high heels clickety-clack on the linoleum floor until we stop outside a blue door.
“I’m sorry, but my instructions were to bring you to this room.”
She opens the blue door, and we step into the empty room. Inside is nothing but a table and four chairs in the middle of the room. No windows. No other furniture. No people. No explanation as to why I’m here.
“Please take a seat. Can I offer you a water or a coffee perhaps?”
“No, what you can offer is an explanation.” I’m more angry than confused now. A man appears in the doorway. He’s wearing a Skylar Airlines uniform but with a vest that screams SECURITY across the front.
He steps into the room, and I’m about to unleash my displeasure on him when someone steps in behind him, and my head almost explodes off my shoulders.
Nico.
Of course.
I glare at Samantha.
So much for us girls sticking together, Sammy.
She gives me a regretful smile, and I suppose it’s not her fault.
It’s all him.
I glare at the bane of my existence standing in the doorway looking like he’s just stepped off a runway in all that Armani darkness and will fireballs to shoot out of my eyes so he explodes into flames. His perfectly sculpted face is tight with annoyance.
As if he has any reason to be annoyed. It’s not like he’s being detained at the airport security room like a drug smuggler.
“This takes stalking to a new level,” I say, folding my arms against my chest.
The security officer speaks to Nico. “I take it this matter will be resolved quietly and with no disturbance to any passengers or visitors.”
Without taking his eyes off me, Nico nods, and the security officer and Samantha leave, closing the door behind them.
“You bastard,” I snap. “You’ve got airport staff paid off now?”
A small smile brushes his lips followed by a chuckle, as if my accusation is ridiculously minor compared to the actual truth.
“When are you going to understand how far my net is cast? You run, and I will find you. Do you understand me?”
“You can’t do this to me.”
“I can, and I just did.”
My frustration gets the better of me. “I just want to go home,” I cry.
Nico doesn’t flinch. He just drills me with those black eyes and perfect features.
“This is your home now. With me. You can either accept it or fight it. I know which one will be much nicer for you.”
“Don’t kid yourself. Neither of them offers anything nice for me. I’ll still be your prisoner.”
“Yes, but one comes with harsher consequences.”
I stare at him in disbelief. “Are you threatening to punish me? You think I’m going to cower down to your demands and just roll over because I’m afraid of you?” I let my arms free and take a step toward him. “I’m not afraid of you, Domenico De Kysa. I just don’t fucking like you.”
The muscle in his jaw ticks, and his shoulders tense. “You talk like you don’t have a choice. But you do. You can stay here with me, dutifully stand by my side as my wife, and all your father’s worries will disappear. Or you can fight me, return to London and your old boring life, and your father will face financial ruin when I take everything from him.”
I can only stare at him in disgust.
This man.
How was he ever the boy who used to kiss me until I was love drunk? Who used to make me feel safe and warm and loved whenever he wrapped his strong arms around me?
I want to cry because I know that boy is lost forever. Replaced by this monster.