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)
Frankie sniffs, realizing what’s at stake. He knows I would never hurt him, but he’s no fool. He’s aware that I’ve put other men in their graves, and that it’s only his bloodline that keeps me from punching him.
“Mom would be ashamed,” he spits the words at me, running upstairs like a teenager who’s just been denied use of the family car.
I stare after him, seething with rage. How dare that little twirp bring up Alessia? There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of her. Doesn’t he know she was the first person I asked before offering my protection to Marlena? I’m sure that wherever she is, she approves of what I’m doing. I would never have extended my hand to another woman if I had thought Alessia would object.
But she’s gone, and I’m not. And sue me if I think Marlena’s attractive. I’m not going to tell Frankie that the marriage will be a platonic one. At least not yet. He doesn’t need to know. If he thinks I’m getting it on with his tutor, that’s his business. She’s far too good for him anyway.
Though I’m sure he brought her into my home with the express purpose of trying to date her, that’s not the way things worked out. Marlena made it very clear to me that she doesn’t think about Frankie that way. Me, on the other hand, that’s a whole different story. I can’t forget that kiss or the way she melted into me on the dance floor. That woman wants what I want, she just can’t admit it yet, not that I’ve admitted it out loud either.
So I’ll take my time. I’ll make sure she feels safe. But no matter what Giovanni thinks, I’m not locking myself into a life of celibacy. With or without Frankie’s blessings, I’m going to be happy. Because Marlena is perfect for me, and I’m sure that with a little time, she’ll realize that I’m perfect for her as well.
I stop by the kitchen to get myself another drink before going back to work. I need it now that I’ve alienated my entire family. The thought that Marlena is somewhere in the house gives me pause. I’m going to have to start behaving like a married man instead of a bachelor. It’s a sobering consideration, and I set the bottle of wine down without opening it.
The bodyguards have vanished, moving on to complete their rounds. They circle the house every few hours, searching for intruders. We’re safe here. Marlena is safe here. And Frankie, even though he’s mad at me, is safe.
I decide to deal with the cigarette thing tomorrow morning. For the moment, I’m beat. I go up to my room, pausing on the landing to glance down at Marlena’s suite. The man guarding her room looks up but then quickly looks away, giving me my privacy.
I sigh with contentment. I don’t care what mountains I have to move. I’m just happy to have her with me. I walk over to my side of the hallway and enter my room. Pulling my suit jacket off, I carefully remove my clothes. I sleep in sweatpants and a sports shirt, not business attire, but not pajamas either. I need to be ready for action in the middle of the night if all hell breaks loose. So, I dress as I would like to appear during a gunfight, in comfortable, breathable attire that commands respect even though it’s not a three-piece suit.
I’ve just settled down to sleep when I’m interrupted by a horrible sound. A scream rips through the night, and it can only be one person, Marlena.
CHAPTER 21
MARLENA
Ican see my father clearly. He’s standing at the edge of a pier, and I’m running toward him. I reach out, but the closer I get, the further away I am.
I see someone with a knife approaching him. I can’t make out the attacker’s face. It seems familiar, and I wonder if I can just rip off the veil covering his features, if I’ll be able to recognize him.
He takes a swing at my father, but instead of fighting back, my father just stands there. As I watch, the man with the knife beats him into the ground. Then he straddles my father’s body and starts stabbing away.
I scream. No matter what I do, I can’t get to him. It feels like my hands are tied, and I’m forced to watch from the sidelines. When the police showed me that photo of my father’s head, I knew it was bad. But this is worse, much worse. Now that I know who was responsible and why, my imagination fills in the details. I feel like I’m living a nightmare I can’t wake up from.
There’s something on my chest that feels like a weight holding me down. My arms are immobile, like I’m chained. I stand at the edge of the pier, watching my father’s murder, helpless to stop it.