Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 144979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
“Is that really necessary?” I ask him.
“Yep.” He takes out a stick of gum and tosses it into his mouth as his eyes narrow on my face.
A beat of silence passes as he stares at me, and I try to play it casual.
“Are you gonna tell me what that’s about?” He nods toward the welt on my cheek.
“Hmm?” I return my attention to my phone.
Another awkward pause ensues, and I try to focus on what I’m reading, but I can’t. I’m worried he’ll tell Angelo about this, which he all but confirms when he holds up his phone and snaps a picture of me.
“What are you doing?” I glare at him.
“Boss will want to know about this.” He starts typing out a message.
I snatch the phone from his hands and stand up. So does he.
“Your boss already knows,” I blurt. “Or didn’t he tell you about his visit last night?”
I regret the words the moment I say them, but desperation has me in a chokehold. I need validation that I’m not crazy, and I didn’t imagine it. More importantly, I can’t have this getting back to Angelo.
Nicky scrapes a hand over his jaw. “He didn’t mention it.”
I can’t tell if he’s being honest or not. He probably wouldn’t tell me even if he knew Angelo was there. But regardless, I can’t let him send that picture.
“Well, then, do me a favor and don’t bring it up again,” I say. “I shouldn’t be required to disclose the intimate details of my life to every man in the Cosa Nostra.”
A muscle in his jaw tics as he gives me a stiff nod. When I return his phone, he deletes the message, and I exhale a shallow breath. But as we sit in silence, guilt settles over me.
Angelo has been through enough without me adding to the misconceptions about his character. But then again, his hatred for me is palpable. I can’t forget the look in his eyes as he dismissed me so easily yesterday, as if we were never anything more than casual acquaintances. He made it clear he’s moved on. And, considering the timing, none of it makes sense.
Why would he come to me the same night he learned that his father had passed away?
“How is he?” I ask the question before I can think better of it.
Nicky scrutinizes me. “How do you think?”
I stare out at the water, considering my words carefully. “He loved his father. I can’t imagine this has been easy on him, especially being apart for so long.”
“It sounds like you answered your own question,” Nicky says.
I sink back into my seat and keep my thoughts to myself for the rest of the journey. When we arrive in the city, Nicky accompanies me to my office in the Seattle Central Business District. The IVI-owned skyscraper is a modern icon in a bustling neighborhood with dramatic waterfront views, premier shopping, and some of the city’s best restaurants. This building has been my escape while I’ve built my career. But today, as Nicky trails after me, mean-mugging every random stranger who happens to look in my direction, I’m on edge.
My heels click across the polished marble as we make our way to the elevator and catch a lift with a group of realtors. They offer me a polite smile before stealing questionable glances at Nicky. To my humiliation, he tosses them a wink.
“Could you not?” I huff. “This is where I work.”
He shrugs and leans against the elevator wall. “Just being friendly.”
I breathe a sigh of relief when the ladies exit, and we only have two more levels to go. But that feeling is short-lived when we stop on my floor to a buzz of construction taking place in the office spaces next to mine.
Last week, there were five other businesses on this floor. Now, they’ve all vanished and been replaced with sheets of hanging plastic where the doors once stood.
“Excuse me.” I halt one of the construction workers. “Where did the other businesses on this floor go?”
“Someone bought them out.” The guy shrugs. “This side is gonna be one big office space now.”
“Can you tell me who?”
“Sorry, no can do,” he says. “It’s confidential. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m on the clock.”
I frown as he walks away, and Nicky clears his throat beside me. “Don’t you have a client to meet?”
Reluctantly, I peel my eyes away and nod. This, like everything else these last few weeks, is another change I’m not prepared to face. But it’s something I’ll have to put aside for now.
I unlock my suite and gesture to the reception area, where I have an arrangement of comfortable seating, coffee, and snacks. My assistant, Kate, has the day off since I’m only seeing one client today, so I won’t have to worry about Nicky giving her any grief.