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)
“I want to be able to leave the apartment when I want and do things when I want to do them.”
“Fine, but you’ll take one of my men with you at all times. And the only vehicle you drive from now on is one of my cars. They’re custom-built to protect the interior from bullets, shrapnel, and certain explosive devices.”
She cocks her hip. “Fine.”
“Fine?”
“Yes. Does that mean we have a deal?”
“Looks that way.”
Her eyes narrow. “You’re not going to renege on our agreement the moment you get the gun back, are you?”
“No.”
“How do I know? Maybe we should pinky swear it.”
I shoot a raised eyebrow at her. “If you even try to make me pinky swear, I’ll shoot myself in the head.”
“Well, you need a gun for that, and will you look at that? I’m the one with the gun.”
I know when I’m cornered. I mean, I could grab her, pin her to the wall, and wrestle the gun out of her hand. But that would lead to more than retrieving a gun from her hand, and I need that shit not to happen. I’m already too distracted by her. Letting my cock take charge will gain me a bullet in the head quicker than you can say don’t mix pleasure with business unless you want to lose.
So when she offers me her hooked pinky, I fucking take it, and we shake.
Looking smug, she hands me the gun back.
“I wasn’t really going to shoot you,” she says sweetly.
My chuckle is humorless as I take it from her. “If you ever try something like that again, I’ll make sure you wish you did.”
19
Bella
“Hells bells, Bella. Look at the planet you’re wearing on your ring finger.” Imogen grabs my hand to get a better look at my engagement ring as we wait for our coffees at a quaint bakery on Charles Street. “It’s sparklier than a vampire in Forks.”
She’s not wrong. Every time the gigantic gem catches the light and sends a billion tiny spangles around the room, I get all gooey.
I love this ring.
I just don’t like what it stands for.
“It’s so big it should come with its own weather system,” she says with a beaming smile. “Do you get to keep it after the divorce?”
“We haven’t discussed it. But I’m keeping it. I’ll consider it payment for time served.”
A server brings us our coffees.
“How are you feeling about tonight?” Imogen asks, adding sugar.
“Like I’m walking the plank to a slow and torturous death. It’s my engagement party, and I can’t stand the groom.”
“Correction. It’s not an engagement party. It’s an engagement gala.”
She’s right.
We’re not celebrating our impending nuptials with family and friends in a cute restaurant somewhere. We’re parading it in front of New York’s social elite at a gala being held in the Grand Ballroom at The Plaza.
I have a feeling it’s going to be over the top.
“You’ll definitely be there?” I ask.
I’ll need a friendly face.
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She takes a sip of her cinnamon cappuccino. “I’m sorry I have to meet you there, but Aladdin is losing his mind about the show coming up. There’s no way I can get away any earlier.”
Imogen works for the newest darling of the fashion world, Aladdin Duran, and he has a big show at Clarkson Square in less than a week.
“Listen, are you sure you’re okay with everything? I mean, this is an unusual situation, and… I guess I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“You don’t need to worry about me. It’s a business transaction. Granted, it’s a ridiculously unusual one, but it’s only a twelve-month tenure. And it’s in name only. Time will fly by.”
“I know, but as your best friend, I need you to know that I’m here if you need to talk, or vent, or hide a body.”
“Definitely. You’ll be the first person I call and ask to bring a shovel.” I finish my coffee and look at my watch. “Oh hell, I’d better go. I have to get ready.”
I haven’t seen Nico since we returned to his apartment from the racquetball courts two days earlier. He left not long after and has stayed away ever since.
It’s almost like he’s avoiding me.
Which is fine by me.
I’m praying he’ll avoid me for the entire length of this ridiculous marriage.
Instead, I’ve been hanging out with Arianna, who has been staying at the apartment, and James, the bodyguard Nico assigned to protect me.
I glance at him sitting alone at a table across the room. Handsome with short blond hair, broad shoulders, and big hands, he has kind eyes, isn’t gruff like a certain billionaire Mafia boss I know, and is permanently on alert.
But as nice as he is, having a shadow still takes some getting used to.
Another annoying thing about the situation? Feeling a tug against my heart every time the elevator doors open and seeing someone other than Nico walk through them.