Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
“You can’t get to me anymore,” I answered with a sob.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I will before you know it.” The phone is wrenched from my hand and it’s Dmitri.
“Trainor, it’s good to hear from you again. You were warned to leave her alone. It seems you’re not only hard of hearing, but stupid as well,” he snarls into the phone, looking extra domineering. His arm slides around my waist, pulling me to his side.
“I’m just checking up on my stepdaughter,” he lies.
“That’s against the rules.” Dmitri presses the end call button and then turns to me. “Baby, are you okay?”
“Yes, I just can’t believe…” He pulls me into his arms, hugging me tightly.
“I’m not going to let him hurt you again,” he whispers in my ear.
“I love you, Dmitri.” He moves his head back to look into my eyes and smiles.
“It’s about time. I’ve been in love with you since we met. Marry me,” he says, dropping down to one knee as he pulls out a small box.
“Oh my, I will.” He slides the beautifully large stone onto my ring finger, and then kisses my hand.
“So how about dinner to celebrate?” I nod and he stands and kisses me tenderly. In my heart, I know I have nothing to fear with Dmitri around.
Epilogue
Dmitri
We sit back on the beach, drinking mocktails as we enjoy the sun. My beautiful wife’s stomach is starting to get round, and I couldn’t be happier. We’re going to be parents in five months. After I proposed, I didn’t wait more than a week to get her tied to me. Since neither of us has a large network of family and friends, we had a small church wedding across from the piazza.
A week after his threatening call to Cora, Trainor had paid for his crimes. We learned that her stepfather met a tragic end in the Cook County Jail. I reported his fraud to the FTC and the Feds the same day as the call, along with the confession of murder he made to Cora. According to the man I spoke with, someone else had already tipped them off and he was under surveillance. He was arrested and taken to jail until he could get bail. Unfortunately, he came up against the wrong men and had a bad accident, falling to his death.
“Love, the insurance company called and wanted to send me the money,” Cora says, pressing her hand on my forearm. “I told them that I didn’t need the full million, but half would be good.” I stare at her in confusion, wanting an explanation and she doesn’t hesitate to give it to me. “I didn’t want them to have any reason to think it was a hit.”
I smile and kiss her lips, a sense of pride filling my chest. “Baby, you’re learning. Still, I had nothing to do with his death. I only reported the fraud.” I had on good authority that the tip that led to the surveillance was Maurizio, and the fall was of his own making. We had nothing to do with his demise, but we would have after the conviction. Honestly, I wanted in writing that he killed Cora’s mother, but at least she doesn’t have to suffer through a long, drawn out trial.
Cora
It’s been five years and I’m the happiest woman in the world or so I’d like to believe. Dmitri and I have two babies and another one on the way. I rub my belly and relax as I sit in the piazza where my life changed dramatically. The husband has meetings, and the kids are with Margaret, so I’m enjoying a brief moment alone with my dessert.
“Hello, beautiful,” a man says, taking a seat in Dmitri’s chair. He’s clearly Italian from his accent, but I’m not sure he’s from the area because everyone knows who my husband is, and they wouldn’t dare approach me so boldly.
I waved my left hand in his face. “You can see that I’m pregnant and married.”
He attempts to grab my hand, but I yank it back. Dmitri would lose his mind if he saw another man holding my hand. “That doesn’t change anything. May I buy you a coffee?”
“Not unless you want to end up with a broken neck and missing hands,” Dmitri growls behind me. “Get the fuck away from my wife.” Dmitri grabs him by the wrist, and I hear a crack before he lifts him off the chair and sends him five feet away on the ground. The man grips his hand as he rolls around, whimpering. I smirk and shake my head because that’s what he gets.
“My love, I’m sorry I kept you waiting.” God, I love the way he gets so territorial.
“It’s okay. I think we should get a room, so you can apologize properly.”
“I know just the spot, wife.” He led me to the hotel that he was in as he watched me from the balcony five years ago. As we entered the hotel, he bypassed the front desk and led me to the room, opening the door with a keycard.