Total pages in book: 148
Estimated words: 143870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 480(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 143870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 480(@300wpm)
“Are you sure you don’t want to come stay on the island?” Abella presses. “We have plenty of room, and you can’t find a safer place than that.”
“I appreciate it.” I offer her a weak smile. “But I need to be in the city. I have a tight schedule as it is with work and all the things that involves. I’ll be okay here.”
“When are you going back to the club?” She frowns.
“Tomorrow.”
She nods, but I can tell she’s still worried about me, which is exactly why I didn’t want them knowing. The only thing she should be focused on right now is the baby that will be arriving soon, and I don’t want her to stress.
“Speaking of work.” Mariella peers at me over the rim of her coffee cup. “Have you ever considered teaching dance classes? We could help you put the word out.”
“Oh, yes, I love that idea,” Abella chimes in. “We could market it as the perfect gift for husbands. Secret lives of Society wives.”
Mariella laughs. “Honestly, that’s kind of genius.”
“I’ve actually been thinking about it since our class,” I admit. “But it’s a little terrifying not having a guaranteed income.”
“Well, we can diversify,” Abella proposes. “What other genres of dance do you know?”
“Tap, ballet, jazz, and ballroom.” I list them off with a shrug.
Abella blinks, probably wondering why I’ve never shared that before. “Okay, well that’s like four extra classes right there. Plus you could branch out, like dance workout classes. Or an app. Those are really popular, and I bet Romeo could help us set it up.”
I smile at her enthusiasm, but I don’t have the heart to tell her that’s dreaming too big for me. Because whatever I do, I have to stay under the radar. Local dance classes are one thing, but putting myself out there for the world to see is another.
“Take some time to think about it,” Mariella suggests. “When you’re ready, we’ll help you come up with a plan.”
I thank her, and as the men finish their work, we wrap up our conversation.
When Angelo and Abella leave, Mariella and I take a seat on the front porch stairs for a quiet moment. She seems hesitant to go, and I can’t help but love her for it. Among her many other positive attributes, she’s the best friend I could ever ask for.
“I could come stay with you if you want,” she offers. “Or we could both stay at the penthouse.”
“I don’t think your brothers would approve of you being here. And besides, they’ve already gone to all the trouble of making my house safe.”
“Well, you may not be thrilled about it, but it makes me feel better,” she says. “At least now your creepy stalker can’t get anywhere near you without us knowing about it.”
“Creepy stalker?”
The question startles both of us, and when we turn around and find Cristian in the doorway, Mariella curses under her breath.
“I’m sorry.” She winces. “I didn’t realize he was there.”
Cristian ignores her, his gaze focused on me as he waits for an answer. He’s already done too much, and I really didn’t need him to know about this, but I can’t change it now. My only option is to downplay it.
“It’s not a big deal. Just an overly attentive customer from the club.”
“What’s his name?” he counters.
Well, crap. He has me there. When I swallow, he knows it too.
“He’s just a customer.”
Cristian stares at me with that quietly dominant energy, waiting for me to explain further. He has this way of making me feel like if I don’t answer him, I’ll be in trouble, and not the bad kind.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but these thoughts seem to be catching fire. Then I remember his rejection last night, and that sobers me up real quick.
I turn to Mariella, and she seems to understand I need an exit strategy.
“You should probably get some rest,” she says. “I have to head out too.”
We stand, and she gives me a quick hug as we say our goodbyes. As her guard escorts her to the car, she gives me one last little wave.
“Call me if you need me.”
I nod and turn around, breezing right past Cristian as I make a beeline for my bedroom.
Shutting the door behind me, I toss the throw blanket aside and pad to the bathroom. After turning on the shower, I reach for the hem of my tank, ready to strip down. But in the process, I catch sight of Cristian in the doorway, and I choke on a startled squeak.
He’s pure menace as he backs me against the wall, bracing his palm above my head and lifting my gaze to his with his other fingers. He looks like he wants to throttle my ass, and the image of that scenario burns itself in my mind, sending a rush of heat down my spine.