Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
My life had taken a dramatic turn. I don’t know what was worse—my current stalemate with Andrei now, or when I was bored out of my brains.
Nathan returned seconds later. “I hate to do this, but I’ve got to head off. I’ve got a meeting to attend. Can we do this another time?” he asked.
“Yeah, of course. Sure. Work is far more important. Here,” I said, removing the jacket, “take it back.”
“No, you keep that on. I don’t want you to catch a cold.” Nathan wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, babe, but please, you have to learn to trust me. I can make it all better for you.”
I wanted to tell him that I felt better already, but I just embraced the hug. He felt good, warm, and comfortable.
Pulling away, he dropped a kiss onto my forehead. “See you soon.”
I waved at him, watched him leave, and then turned toward an ever-disapproving Leo.
“Andrei wouldn’t like this,” he said.
“You sent him pictures. If he had any issue, he’d be here, rather than allowing you to guard me.”
“Do you have any idea what this is potentially doing to his reputation?”
“What?”
“You’re visiting a man often. Word of this gets out, Andrei becomes a laughingstock.”
This made me laugh. “You’re kidding, right?”
He raised a brow. I didn’t know how he was able to look so disapproving with one glance. I didn’t like it, but rather than tell him, I just offered him a glare. “I don’t mean anything … he’s a friend, okay? The only person I know and trust.”
My cell phone rang, and I answered it without looking at who called.
“Hello,” I said.
“Hello, dear sister, long time no chat.”
“Bethany?”
“You don’t have any other sisters hiding. It’s just me.”
I felt myself tense. “What do you want?” I asked.
Leo looked at me intently. To him, I was just one giant fuck-up. Nathan was no threat to me, to Andrei, to anyone. He was my best friend.
“I was thinking, it’s time for us to have a talk, don’t you agree? As sisters.”
“Why?” We’d never been close. Growing up, Bethany had despised me, and there was no love lost between us.
“Come on, darling, we’re sisters. There doesn’t have to be any bad blood between us. I’m insulted that you seem to think so.”
I didn’t think so. I knew so.
“There is much we can talk about. Come on, Adelaide. You always wanted a big sister, didn’t you?” she asked. “This is our chance to finally be close.”
I had no idea what she was up to, but I also didn’t want to head back home. “Where?” I asked.
She told me the restaurant. “I’ll meet you there in twenty minutes,” I said and hung up the phone.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Leo said.
“Then call Andrei and tell him to go meet her and deal with this. It’s my sister, Leo.”
Even though I said those words, I knew it was a lie. My sister was a viper. Her only course of action was to attack. That was what she did. She hated me for what had happened, but that was all on her. I hadn’t done anything to take her husband away.
Leo held the door of the car open, and I thanked him.
Sitting in the car didn’t help to make me feel better. In fact, all I felt was a whole lot worse about everything. This wasn’t what I wanted. Covering my face with my hands, I leaned back and took several deep breaths, attempting to find some peace and calm, but nothing helped.
“Andrei cares about you,” Leo said.
Dropping my hands, I look at my guard. “You don’t know that.”
“I have been driving him around for years, Adelaide. I’ve built up his trust, and yet, to help you, he put me in charge of your protection. He told me nothing could ever happen to you, and I will protect you with my life.”
“I don’t want that, Leo,” I said. “I don’t want you to do that.”
He snorted. “I will gladly do it.”
Tears filled my eyes as I thought of Andrei. “He’s difficult to get to know.” I had promised myself I wouldn’t get too close to Leo. He was doing a job and I wouldn’t pretend he was my friend.
“Andrei cares in his own way. Having his own territory is not easy and he’s under a lot of stress right now.”
“What kind of stress?” I asked.
“You will have to ask your husband.” He slowed the car down to park and I glanced over at the restaurant.
“Will you come in with me?” I asked. The thought of seeing Bethany without any kind of backup scared me.
“Yes.” Leo pulled the car away, going toward the parking lot. I climbed out of the car, and Leo moved toward my side, one hand at my back, the other at the base of his, and I knew he held his gun.