Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
"You're why I'm here."
"Well, I don't want you here."
"Too bad," I clip back, taking another step toward her. I'll burn this villa to the ground before I leave it without her. I’ll take her anger and anything else she wants to throw at me, but I won’t leave her again.
“This isn’t fair.” Cosima shakes her head adamantly.
“When have I ever played fair?”
“See, right there!” Cosima's voice starts to rise, her cheeks flushing. I want to make them flush, but for a whole other reason. “You’re playing, played, whatever. This isn’t a game to me.”
“It’s not one to me either.” Nothing is a game when it comes to her. Cosima comes before everything else in my life, and I’m going to start letting everyone know that. “And if anyone enjoys games, it’s you.” It’s a hobby of hers to try to get a rise out of me. She usually succeeds in doing so too. She is the only one that truly can get that from me.
Cosima is the only reason I ever got my rage and anger under control. I learned from practicing. When she came along, I knew Rochelle and Dario wouldn’t let me near her if I was still filled with rage, always picking fights with War and Ronan. That I would need to change, and I did, for her.
I’d thought I had mastered it, but I’m seeing now that Cosima holds the power over that control I thought I had. She has no idea how easily she wields it.
“You’re not staying here, and we have plans.” Cosima lifts her chin, trying to get her bravado back, but she’s still off. I can’t put my finger on why, but I can sense it.
“We do?” Marks asks. Cosima shoots her a look. “I mean, we do, of course we do. We have a super busy social life,” Marks tries to say with finality.
“If you think you’re going to visit the Amato family without me, you’ve lost your mind.” Cosima's mouth opens and closes. “How do you know they’re here? Wait, does Dad know you’re here?”
“No one knows I’m here.” I wasn’t chancing her finding out and trying to take off. Oh, she wouldn't get away, but it would take me longer to get to her. “And I know everyone that has been coming and going from this town since you got here.”
“Really, Jesus,” Marks mutters. “That’s a lot. Do you remember it, or do you have a program? I guess you could put in a—”
“Marks.” Cosima gives her another pointed look.
“Right, I don’t want to know shit from you.” Marks tries to glare at me, but it comes off like her eyes are being hit by the sun, and she can’t see. “Jerkoff," she adds for good measure.
"You know what?" This time it's Cosima who takes a step closer to me. "Why don't you clue me in on why you're here at all? This is the first time you have ever come to Europe to see me."
"That's not true." Oh, I have come so many times. Sure, I had eyes on her, but I often felt the need to see her for myself. Even if only from a distance, and a few times not so distant at all. She had no idea I was there. Close enough to even touch her. It wasn't a coincidence that her dorm roommate dropped out; the person never existed. I had set it all up so she would have her own room. That made it easier to come and go as I pleased. To be closer to her and get my fix of her just by being in her presence.
"How is it not true?"
"He stalks you. I told you that. With your phone."
"I'd be real careful, Marks," I warn her.
“Don’t threaten her.”
I keep my eyes trained on Cosima. “You and everyone else need to understand I’ll do whatever I have to to keep you safe and mine.” I clear the rest of the space between us, my hand going to her chin to tilt her head back. “Do you understand me, Cosima? I’ll do anything.” I let that word hang. “And if Marks thinks she can play inside my phone and I won’t return the favor—”
“It’s her phone. I didn’t try to get into yours. I’m not that stupid.”
“Anything that belongs to Cosima belongs to me.” Cosima sucks in a breath.
“Wait, you got into my phone?” Marks asks. I answer, but my attention stays on my girl. I can smell and feel her now. Normally that soothes me, but right now it’s not. It has another need clawing inside of me.
“I’m not the only one who has a stalking problem, it would seem.” I finally turn my head to lock eyes with Marks. “And I’m guessing you don’t want me to tell that person where you are.” The color drains from Marks’ face.