Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Although my words had been laced with sarcasm, I couldn’t deny he had raised a very valid point. The undeniable truth was I couldn’t.
I pressed the croissant and watched the jam ooze out of it. “I hate the idea of being followed and watched, but if I have to be then could they not be too obvious? I’d really like to enjoy the city as much as I can since I don’t know when or if I’ll ever return.”
He lifted his cup to his lips once again. “Yes, I can arrange for them to be as unobtrusive as possible.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “And how much will this protection cost? Whatever their service costs, I'd like to pay for it. As well as my stay here.”
His eyes became chips of ice. He had retreated behind a cold wall, but his voice, when he spoke was even. “I’ll send all the relevant bills to you at the end of the trip.”
I felt confused. This was not the man who asked me to sit on his face. The man who let me come in his mouth. I took a deep breath. “Good. Thank you. I want to learn how to shoot properly. Take some basic lessons. Do you know any shooting ranges nearby?”
“There are none nearby, but yes it can be arranged,” he said. “I’ll test you when we return.”
I almost spilled the juice I had been lifting to my lips for a sip. “What?”
“I imagine they can't really teach you what you need to know. So go ahead and hear the basics and I’ll add to the lesson when I return tonight.”
What he said made sense, but I didn’t just want to agree to whatever he said.
I set the glass down and moved my attention to a chocolate muffin that seemed to have blueberries in it.
“Do you know where else you’d like to visit?” he asked.
“Not really,” I replied. “I thought maybe, London Bridge and Madame Tussauds. Or maybe just some shopping.”
I didn’t really want to go shopping but it might be a great way to pass the time. Maybe a coffee shop near Harrods?
“How long are we going to be here?” I asked.
“A week,” he replied.
His phone rang and he looked at it and said, “Please excuse me, I have to go.”
“Is there a problem?” I asked.
“No, there is no problem. Enjoy your day.”
I watched him walk away and felt so confused. We weren’t platonic strangers anymore, but his aloof behavior was as if last night never happened.
There was no way I could have made a dent in the food on the table. After tasting everything, I guiltily set my fork down. If only I could pack everything up and take it back to Antoine. With a sigh, I got to my feet and headed out to the entrance. Obviously, Dante had arranged security for me although I didn’t have any details about it.
But as soon as I emerged out from the hotel entrance, an SUV stopped right in front of me. A suited man got out and introduced himself before he opened the backdoor for me.
“We’ll take you to the gun range, Miss Leone,” he said.
“Oh, thank you,” I replied. I glanced back at the hotel, wondering if Dante had left for the day or if he was still around. I wouldn’t mind one more glimpse of him, but he’d probably already left.
I got into the car and began my first day in London.
Chapter 27
Dante
“What’s happening?” I asked.
“We’re at the shooting range, Boss,” Lorenzo said. “She’s getting lessons from the instructor.”
“How is she doing?”
He went silent for a few seconds. “She’s doing okay, but …”
“But what?”
“She needs a lot of practice.”
“Send me a video,” I said and ended the call.
A few minutes later a video arrived.
The first thing I noticed was how unreasonably close he was standing to her as he instructed her on how to fire the gun. I stared with astonishment as the pervert’s hand brushed her back. That was deliberate and totally unnecessary. Damn it to hell, the man was taking advantage of her.
Black fury filled my chest.
I flung my phone away and took deep breaths to calm myself down. I reminded myself of the solemn promise I’d made to Marco and told myself I was acting like a fool. This possessiveness was going to become a big problem if I didn’t nip it in the bud right now. She was not mine to have or keep, only to protect. I was her guardian and I had to learn to stand aside and protect her even on her wedding day to the man of her choice.
I forced myself to pick up my phone and deliberately shifted all my focus to the technique he was showing her. Clearly, he had never shot anyone in his life. The way he was teaching her to hold that gun could get it kicked out of her hand in seconds. I shut my phone. I’d seen enough. I would teach her to shoot myself.