Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 111537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 558(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 372(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 558(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 372(@300wpm)
I told him I didn’t want to. One woman was enough for me. But he didn’t see it that way. He couldn’t understand why I would cut myself off at the dick that way. And I guess things haven’t changed.
“If you’re asking about the politics, sure,” Giovanni continues.
I take that to heart. I know my instincts are solid. Forging marriage bonds with the Rocca family is good business. It will send a signal not only to Andretti, but to the rest of our enemies that we’re more powerful than ever.
“Okay,” I agree. “Then we’re all set.”
“Yes boss,” a few of my capos say.
“Sure,” Marcello replies, looking bored.
“You got somewhere else you gotta be?” I demand.
“No,” he says immediately, shaking his head.
“Good,” I announce, closing the meeting. “I want everyone to lean on their informants about Andretti. If he makes any move, no matter how small, I want to know about it.” I suspect he already knows about Marlena, given that she is in my home often enough, so time is of the essence.
“Right,” Marcello says quickly.
“You got it,” Giovanni replies.
“Sure, boss,” a handful of the capos respond.
I wave them all out of my office, giving myself time to think. As soon as I’m alone, my thoughts drift back to Marlena. As much as I want to tell myself that the whole thing is a business arrangement, I’ve got to admit that my heart is mixed up in the whole affair. If she says no, I’m not sure how far I’m willing to go to make her stay.
CHAPTER 19
MARLENA
I’m pacing the room, barely cognizant of my surroundings. All I can see are the floorboards crisscrossing beneath my feet as I circle around and around. My head buzzes with the implications of Francisco’s proposal.
I can’t seem to make any decisions. All I’ve got are questions. Is this really what I want? Would it be so bad? What about all the other plans I’ve got? What about seeing the world, about living my career dreams? What about my brother?
I flop down on the sofa, exhausted from all the mental aerobics. There has to be a way to get what I want and still stay safe from my father’s enemies. I can’t just give everything up to be locked away in this house for the rest of my life. If that’s my only choice, I’d be better off hitting the open road. At least I would get to see more of the world before I died.
It doesn’t seem like answers are coming to me, so I walk to the door and step outside. As expected, I find a guard in the hallway. Francisco is serious about keeping me safe, or keeping me trapped. I’m not sure which.
“Can you please go tell Francisco that I want to talk to him?” I ask politely.
“Sure, ma’am,” the guard says, leaving his post without question.
I glance left and right, finding the hallway clear. Now is my chance if I want to run for it. But that won’t solve anything. What I really need to do is air my feelings and figure out if Francisco and I can work together on a solution that will benefit everyone. So I’ll wait.
I go back inside, but I’m surprised to hear a knock just moments later. He was either waiting for my call, or he dropped everything to come talk to me. I feel a momentary flutter inside my chest. I’m pleased that he’s taking my situation so seriously. But I can’t let that deter me from outlining my agenda.
“Hi,” I say awkwardly.
He doesn’t respond verbally, but gives me a patient smile. I realize that he’s head and shoulders above the kind of social anxiety I’m feeling. Good for him. That just doesn’t help me decide.
I turn away from him, walking back to the couch where I sit. He follows, shutting the door behind him. Now we’re alone and in no danger of being interrupted by anyone else in the household. I remember our talk earlier, when we were sitting alone in my apartment. I was sure there was at least one bodyguard lurking outside, but I didn’t see them. The same is probably true now. I imagine that there’s a guard stationed just outside the door. I don’t know if that thought is reassuring or terrifying. But one thing’s for certain: I have all of Francisco’s attention at the moment.
“I thought about what you asked,” I begin, ironing out my thoughts as I go. “I think I’d like to accept your offer, but I have a few concerns.”
“Which are?” he asks, giving away nothing. I can’t tell if he’s happy that I’ve given him a tentative yes. He’s got one hell of a poker face.
“Okay,” I begin with my first concern. I can’t leave Brandon hanging out there unprotected. He doesn’t even know that I’ve been found out, and that makes him extremely vulnerable. “I need to know that my brother is taken care of.”