Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
I took the stairs in case Corey was around—why the fuck was I still trying to prove myself to him? My luck ran out when I walked into the kitchen and saw him sitting there on a bench in the breakfast nook, eating dinner. He was wearing gym clothes, like he’d come straight from working out.
He was damp with sweat, but he still smelled damn good to me. He scent wasn’t unclean, just a stronger version of his natural scent.
Why the hell did I even know he smelled like lemon, mint, and something earthy?
He looked up and smiled. “Hi.”
I nodded but didn’t speak.
Corey frowned. “Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“I just wondered because I hadn’t seen you all day, and Beatrice said you hadn’t slept well and—”
“Beatrice shouldn’t be saying anything about me.”
“Don’t blame her. It’s my fault. I ask a lot of questions.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“She didn’t answer many of them, but she did say you’d had trouble sleeping and you wouldn’t be around for a while. But I thought I’d see you before now.”
“You don’t need to worry about my whereabouts. What I’m doing all day is none of your business. You’re alive and well; that is all you need to be concerned with.”
“How would I know if you, like, left the house? And then maybe I’d need to be a little more careful, listen a little more closely.”
I slammed my hand down on the counter. This constant chatter from him was worse than silent awkwardness. “I’m not going to leave you here alone. If I need to leave, I will have someone—one of my sons or one of my nephews—come here to watch you, and you will know. Otherwise, unless there’s an emergency, don’t come looking for me.”
“Wow. I didn’t mean to offend you. I just… I don’t know. I’m not used to being alone all day. Beatrice has work to do, and—”
“I also have work to do.”
“Are you working now, or did you come down for dinner?”
“Dinner.”
He smiled. “Then why don’t you sit with me? Maybe you can tell me a little bit about yourself.”
I was going to lose my mind before I got him out of my house. How the fuck could my dick be interested in him when he was so annoying?
I looked over at him, letting myself have a moment to assess him—to hopefully realize something had made me temporarily lose my mind the night before. But no, he was fucking gorgeous. His blue T-shirt matched his eyes, and his dark blond hair was curled and damp. He looked delicious.
Fuck.
No. He looked attractive. Nice. He was a nice-looking man, but that didn’t mean anything to me.
“I’m going to get my food and take it to my office where I will close the door and lock it. I don’t want to hear from you again unless you’re being murdered.”
“Shouldn’t you know if someone shows up to murder me? When I’m actually being murdered seems a little late for you to find out I need help.”
“Are you this annoying all the time?” He recoiled. I saw the hurt in his eyes and felt it like a punch to my gut. I wasn’t sure I could eat now. I’d been mean and grouchy for so long, I didn’t know how to talk to people even if I wanted to.
I should apologize, but I didn’t. He turned back to his plate and didn’t say another word. I really was the wrong person for this job in every way but my knowledge of Lisa.
By the time I got to my office, I couldn’t even stand the smell of the food that had been so enticing before. Maybe Lisa had been right when she’d said I was a monster, that she wouldn’t have any regrets about killing me because I didn’t deserve to live.
No. She was the monster. Right?
I shook my head. We both were, but at least I never intentionally hurt innocent people.
I forced myself to eat a few bites so I could take my meds. After staring uselessly at spreadsheets for a few hours, I headed to bed where once again, I tossed and turned. I got up several times to wander through the house, verifying that we were secure and watching the courtyard to see if anyone else appeared. My leg ached, and so did my arm, but I didn’t want to stay still. I couldn’t think of anything but Corey when I did.
I hadn’t meant to hurt him, but that’s what I did to people who spent too much time near me.
I had no idea why Valentino and Vito even tried to have a relationship with me. At first, they’d needed a home. I scared them enough to make them obey me when it came to business, but they actually wanted me to be part of their lives and now I wanted that too. Val was even talking about adopting. Could I actually be a grandfather one day? That idea seemed too absurd.