Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Jesus, Laurie, what are you doing?
The next instant, the door opens, and I glance over my shoulder again, seeing the massive man who slammed me into the wall the other day.
He leaves my suitcase by the door, then holds my handbag out to me, a broad smile on his face.
“Thank you,” I whisper, taking it with a trembling hand before digging my phone out.
I see the notification showing the funds are in my account and an intense wave of relief pours through me.
Oh my God. I have twenty thousand dollars!
The other man leaves the office and pulls the door shut behind him.
“I kept my end of the deal,” Adriano says, his tone still carrying a dangerous edge.
I put my phone away and adjust the strap of my handbag over my shoulder before I meet his eyes again.
“Come closer,” he reminds me.
Right.
I nervously nibble on the inside of my mouth and slowly inch closer, as if I’m approaching a bear.
He just gave you twenty thousand dollars. Do whatever he wants so you can get out of here, then screw the deal and make a run for it.
By the time I stop right in front of him, my breaths are nothing but shaky puffs over my dry lips.
“That’s better,” he murmurs darkly.
Adriano leans down, causing my body to tense up even more, and I almost back away but stop myself in time. Then a frown forms on my forehead when he doesn’t touch me, but… is he sniffing me right now?
I become aware of the rich amber and leather cologne, which only adds to his dark aura.
My cheeks flush with heat because I haven’t showered in two days, and when he pulls back, I can’t force myself to meet his eyes.
“Hmm…” It’s more like a predatory growl than a sound a man would make. “You blush.”
My gaze darts to his, and when I see satisfaction in his dark brown eyes, more heat creeps into my face.
After several long seconds, he orders, “What happened to your job and house?”
“Ah…” I wet my lips again and fold my arms around my middle. “I got fired.”
Adriano begins to frown, and not wanting him to change his mind and take the money back, I add, “I was dating my boss’ brother, but he turned out to be a cheating bastard, and after he kicked me out, she accused me of stealing money and fired me.”
By the time the last word leaves my lips, Adriano looks scary as hell, and I can’t stop myself from taking three steps backward.
“I swear I did nothing wrong. I’ll put my hand on a bible. They’ve been conspiring behind my back, and there was nothing I could do.”
Saying everything out loud, the anger and hurt return full force, and the urge to cry almost overwhelms me, but I bite the tears back.
“I believe you.”
My lips part, and I blink at Adriano, a man I know next to nothing about. Still, for some reason, hearing him say that makes me feel a little better. “Thank you.”
He takes a deep breath and exhales through his nose as he pushes away from his desk. “Let’s go.”
“Go?” My eyebrows fly up. “Where?”
“To a hotel. You need to clean up, eat, and get some sleep.”
I can feel my neck and face growing beet red, and I lower my head as my pride takes another hit.
I’ve always been able to take care of myself, but this past week has stripped me of all control over my life.
And it sucks.
“I’ll be fine on my own,” I say.
Adriano stops on his way to the door and turns to look at me. “I didn’t ask, Laurie. We’re going to a hotel.”
Oh shit.
The realization that he’d want to have sex in a hotel room and not in his office hits me like a punch to the gut.
He must see my reaction because he says, “You’re half dead on your feet. I like my women a little more alive. I’m just going to drop you off and make sure you have everything you need. Once you’ve had time to rest, I’ll send for you.”
Oh. Okay. Good. I can deal with that… for now.
Grabbing my suitcase, I follow Adriano out of the office. My eyes roam over his broad shoulders and back, and only then do I notice he’s a head taller than me. Even under the dark blue suit, it’s clear he’s packing a lot of muscle.
At least he’s not a wrinkly old man.
The thought doesn’t offer me much comfort, and when the guy who looks like the Incredible Hulk’s twin walks toward us, I begin to second-guess leaving the club.
My feet come to a dead standstill between the tables and the now empty stage.
The big guy gestures with a tip of his chin at me, and it has Adriano stopping and turning around.