Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Chapter 26
Bianca
Apart of me was tempted to run all the way back to Philadelphia.
It wouldn’t be hard. One Amtrak ticket later, and I could’ve been back in my old house.
Except Adriano would send my ass packing.
I love my brother. And I think he loves me too. Only the Famiglia is always bigger than his family, and it doesn’t matter if my husband is a freaking stalker crazy person.
My place is here in New York City.
But there’s nowhere I feel safe. I barely even know this town. Which is why I end up cowering in my office, curled up on the uncomfortable little couch I shoved against the far wall, staring out at the clouds and the tops of the buildings through the window.
I freaked out.
Can’t even pretend like I didn’t.
Something about seeing all that stuff broke me.
It’s one thing smelling Cormac. I like that smell. Something about it makes me feel safe and comforted.
But there’s the other side of the ghost.
There’s the man who broke into my house and took things.
I don’t understand why he did it. Why he chose me. We didn’t even know each other before I got arranged to marry Finn.
Somehow, I’m special.
I wish I weren’t.
I keep seeing that shrine with my grandmother’s ring and the burned-down candles like he’s been praying there.
Down on his knees. His sinful lips moving.
God, I’m fucking broken.
There’s a noise. I flinch and sit bolt upright, listening intently. I didn’t think anyone else was here. Only Leo and Finn come in, and normally, they’re busy with other things.
But there it is again. Someone walking along the carpet with purposeful strides.
It’s got to be him.
I get up and start backing away, thinking I can put the desk between us. I don’t know what I’m going to do when he finds me. A part of me must’ve known this was going to happen.
It’s not exactly a great hiding place.
But instead of Cormac, a woman appears framed in the doorway of my office.
I stare at her, heart racing, and for a long moment, I can’t seem to figure out who the hell she is.
Until she smiles warmly. “Hello, Bianca, dear. I hear you had a little scare.”
Cormac’s mother. Siobhan Whelan.
She’s an attractive woman, around my height with shiny red hair like she was born in a shampoo bottle. She’s dressed smartly in a pair of tan slacks, a white blouse, and a light navy jacket. A bag hangs off her arm. She looks like the picture of wholesome, healthy, rich lady living, like she’s straight from the pages of a spa brochure.
“What are you doing here?” I manage to sputter out, which isn’t really polite, but I’m not on my best behavior.
“Do you mind if I come in? I’ve been walking all day, and honestly, my feet are killing me.” She smiles patiently and waits until I reluctantly nod. “Thank you so much. I know this is probably very weird, having your husband’s mother show up out of nowhere, but I thought maybe it was best if we spoke.”
She sits down in one of my chairs and slips her expensive shoes off. I’m surprised at how casual and comfortable she seems as she lightly rubs her manicured foot.
“Did he call you?” I sink down behind my desk, trying to compose myself.
“Reluctantly. He was mostly looking for my advice. Cormac is not the kind of man to ask for help under normal circumstances.”
An ugly laugh bubbles up from my guts. “These aren’t really normal though, are they?”
“No, dear, they aren’t.” She gives me a very sympathetic smile. I try to remember what I know about her, but it isn’t much. Adriano mentioned she’s more powerful in the Whelan Clan than people realize, but past that, it’s a mystery. “I know about the stalking. Which is why he was comfortable calling me.”
That gets my freaking attention. I gape at her, mouth hanging open, as I try to process. But I feel like my head’s in a microwave. “You… know about… the stalking.” I repeat it back to her like a broken parrot.
“Yes, dear, and I found out completely by accident.” She presses her lips together. “That room of his wasn’t always locked.”
“Oh.” I blink very slowly. Yep, this is really happening. “You saw that.”
“I want you to know that Cormac is absolutely as crazy as you think he is. You’re right to be freaked out.”
I shake my head as that statement smacks me in the face. “You’re not making excuses?”
“Well, yes and no. I’m acknowledging straight up that Cormac is who he is, and that won’t ever change.” She sighs and looks over at the window. “Frankly, Finn never should have been arranged to marry you. I knew it was going to be a massive problem the moment my husband mentioned it. But he doesn’t know about Cormac’s connection to you.”