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)
I cling to my handbag strap and suitcase handle. “So…yeah, I’m not going to drive anywhere with the two of you.”
Annoyance flashes over Adriano’s face, and as he slowly stalks back toward me, I swallow hard on the nervous lump stuck in my throat.
He stares me down until I glance at the stage to break eye contact.
“I don’t have time to waste, Laurie.”
His words stomp all over my self-esteem that’s been obliterated.
Exhausted, worried, and very overemotional, I struggle to lift my chin and scowl at him. “I didn’t ask you to waste time on me.”
Unable to think clearly, I rush toward the double doors, just wanting to get away from Adriano and his overgrown ape.
Out on the sidewalk, I suck in shaky breaths as I fight to not burst out in tears. Then my eyes land on the sign ‘Mitchell’s Construction.’
The next second, my suitcase is jerked out of my hand, and as I swing around, in time to see the big guy taking my belongings, strong arms engulf me and haul me off my feet.
Adriano has one arm wrapped around my front, and when my lips part to scream, his hand clamps over my mouth.
“Umpf!” My words are muffled as he carries me toward the SUV. With eyes wide as saucers and a thundering pulse, I struggle and pull against his forearm while trying to worm myself free. “Et..gwo!”
I’m shoved into the backseat, and quickly scramble to the other door, but when I try the handle, it doesn’t open.
Adriano gets in beside me as I dart between the front seats, but he just grabs hold of my hips and hauls me backward.
I’m shoved down on my back, and while I let out a desperate cry, the big guy gets in behind the steering wheel.
Adriano’s much stronger body crowds mine as he leans over me, and when his fingers wrap around my throat, I fear this is it for me.
He’s about to punch my ticket to the afterlife.
I grab hold of his wrist and let out a desperate cry. “Please. Oh, God. Please! Don’t kill me.”
Adriano’s features soften a fraction, then he does the most unnerving thing I’ve ever experienced.
He tilts his head as he leans closer and whispers, “Shh, la mia farfalla. The last thing I want to do is kill you.” He turns his face and locks eyes with me, his dark and ruthless, and mine probably swimming in tears. “But you belong to me now, and you will do whatever I say. Got it.”
“N-n-n-n-no,” I stammer. “L-let me g-go.”
Slowly he shakes his head, and to make things a million times worse, a grin tugs at his mouth. “Never.”
His eyes drift over me, and it feels like he’s mentally picturing all the ways he’s going to hurt me, then suddenly he pulls back and adjusts his jacket as he sits down.
“We can go, Little Ricky.”
As the SUV begins to move, I cautiously sit up and scoot away from the crazy man. My eyes touch on Mitchell’s Construction again, and I see Heather and Amanda laughing as they step out onto the sidewalk.
“Who are they?” Adriano asks.
Lowering my head, I mumble, “My ex-boss and the woman my ex-boyfriend cheated on me with.”
“Names,” he demands.
“Heather Mitchell and Amanda Flynn.”
Oh hell no, we’re not going to have a conversation as if he didn’t just manhandle me and act all insane!
Shooting him a glare, I snap, “I will go to the police! Stop the car and let me get out.”
My eyebrows fly up when Little Rickly lets out a burst of laughter.
While his lackey is taking pleasure in my… uh… predicament, Adriano gives me a highly annoyed look.
“Enough, Laurie.” His voice is nothing but a threatening rumble that causes shivers to creep from my head to my toes. “I paid you twenty thousand, and you agreed to do anything I want.”
“Yeah, I stupidly did, but it’s just words,” I mutter. “Twenty thousand has its limits, mister. You don’t get to toss me around and threaten me.”
The scary expression on his face eases a bit. “Don’t try to run and we won’t have any problems. I’ll have a contract drawn up which you’ll sign if you want to keep that twenty grand.”
Contract?
“Does that mean you won’t try anything else until we’ve made the deal official?” I ask, hope brimming in my voice.
“Yes.”
Relief pours through me, but then I think to add, “That contract better state that you’re not allowed to hurt me in any way. I’m not into kinky crap at all.”
Little Ricky bursts out laughing again, and I scowl at the back of his big head. “Oh, shut up!”
He instantly quiets and murmurs, “Yes, ma’am.”
This time Adriano chuckles, and when I level him with a glare, he quickly stops and glances out the window.
Jesus. What has become of my life, and what is this twilight zone I find myself in?