Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 160192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 801(@200wpm)___ 641(@250wpm)___ 534(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 801(@200wpm)___ 641(@250wpm)___ 534(@300wpm)
Although they’d all know about her now, wouldn’t they?
She couldn’t expect that anyone in the library would keep their mouth shut.
Including this man. Although it probably wouldn’t hurt for her to be nice to him.
“Yes?” she asked warily.
“Hi, sorry. I’m Richard Drews. Um, you left your handbag behind.” He held it out to her.
Oh shit. What the hell had she been thinking?
“Thank you.” She took the bag, holding it close. It held her keys, her wallet, her migraine pills. She shouldn’t have let it out of her sight.
“You’re welcome. I couldn’t help but overhear what you said in the library.”
“Right.” Because how could he not help but overhear? She’d basically screamed that out loud.
“Was that true? What happened to you?” he asked.
She shot him a look. Did he really think she’d lie about something like that? Also, wasn’t it a bit rude to ask?
“Sorry, sorry, I know that’s insensitive to ask. It’s just I would be really interested in interviewing you for a story that I’m doing on victims of violence.”
“Sorry, not interested,” she said.
That would be a damn stupid idea to her way of thinking. Speak about the Bartolli family? Yeah, she wouldn’t look good wearing concrete shoes.
“It would all be anonymous, of course. No mention of names or anything. And there’s a small payment.”
“I’m not that desperate for money.”
Maybe she seemed that way, but she would prefer to use Zander’s money than tell her story.
“I get it. It was a long shot. Hopefully, I’ll see you around?”
“Um, maybe.”
She headed home, feeling defeated.
Tomorrow was another day, she guessed.
“You’re back.”
Angie squared her shoulders as she stared at the librarian.
“Yes.”
It had taken her three days to work up the courage but here she was. “Yes, I’d like to get a library card.”
“Hmph. You live here?”
“Yes, I do.” That was why she’d inquired about a job a few days ago.
“Proof of address?” the woman grumbled.
“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that. I haven’t had any bills come to the house yet.” She wasn’t sure that she would as Zander was paying them. “I’ll have to come back when I do. May I just look around?”
The woman eyed her like she thought she might steal something. There was an odd look on her face.
“Just don’t mess up my shelves,” she said, turning away and hurrying off into the backroom.
She could move fast.
Angie walked slowly down the aisles. She didn’t dare touch any of the books. They were all so neat.
Did she really measure each one with her ruler?
Insane.
Angie took her time, just breathing in the scent of the books. Was there any other scent as good?
Maybe Jared’s scent.
Urgh, stop thinking about him.
“Hello again.”
She jumped with a scream.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Turning, she gaped at the man standing there. What was he doing? Why would he sneak up on someone like that? Especially when he knew her past!
“I’m Richard Drews. Remember me from the other day?”
She didn’t reply. She was too busy trying to convince her body that this wasn’t a fight or flight situation.
“I really am sorry. I thought you would have heard me approach.”
Urgh. She probably should have. She’d been overwhelmed by books.
“Um, yes. I remember. Can I help you?”
“Well, I wondered if you still needed a job?” he asked.
Angie felt a leap of excitement, but then wariness filled her. Was it weird that he’d asked her to let him interview her only to turn around and offer her a job after she rejected him?
Was this a ploy to get her to answer questions from him?
“No strings.” He held up his hands. “It’s not actually even for me but for an older relative who needs help with his housework. He’s looking for someone to clean and make meals. That might not be what you’re looking for, but I know it’s a tough job market so I thought I would ask if I saw you again.”
“You are sure he’d want me to help him?”
“Absolutely.” He nodded. “Would you like to meet him?”
She hesitated slightly. She didn’t know this man.
Angie was determined not to live her life afraid of everything. But she was finding that was much easier to say than do.
“Here, why don’t I give you my card,” he said. “I get it. You can’t trust me. But you can look me up if you like. Here.”
He held out a card and she took it, sliding it into her pocket.
“Message me if you want to meet my uncle about the job. Just don’t take too long, okay?”
“Thanks.” She watched him warily as he turned and walked away.
Then she headed over to the librarian. “Hi, I was just wondering if you knew that man.”
“What man?” she said shrilly.
“The one that just left. He was here the other day when I was here.”
The day when she announced that she’d been married to an abusive mafia kingpin.