Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 132498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Lorenzo takes a step closer, and the space between us shrinks in a way that makes my pulse climb my throat.
“You’re adorable,” he deadpans.
“Call me adorable again,” I snap, folding my arms tight over my chest, “and I’ll bite you.”
Lorenzo’s mouth curves, slow and sharp. “Promises before breakfast. I’m blessed.”
I force myself to breathe. “Why are all the guards here? Planning on killing someone?”
Lorenzo glances toward Nico without turning his head fully. “Because I’m taking you somewhere.”
I freeze so hard my ribs ache.
Somewhere.
“Like outside?”
Lorenzo nods, not giving anything up until he’s ready to, or at least until I ask the right question.
“Where?”
Lorenzo’s gaze holds mine. It’s steady and unblinking. “Your parents’.”
My brain actually stutters. Like short-circuits completely.
Did he just say he’s taking me to my parents’ house?
My mouth opens, and nothing comes out.
Rafe shifts, clearing his throat, probably reminding me that I’m standing in the foyer with my mouth open.
I swallow hard. “Why?”
Lorenzo’s shoulders lift in a lazy shrug that doesn’t match the sharpness in his eyes. “Because you’ve been throwing a tantrum, and it’s getting annoying.”
My fingers curl into a fist. “So this is, what? A treat? You’re taking me for a walk like a dog?”
“Of course not . . .” His mouth parts into a smirk. “Dogs are loyal.”
I flinch without meaning to, and Lorenzo, the fucker, watches the flinch and loves it.
Then he steps back, as if granting me air is a privilege. “Get dressed. Something more suitable for the public, but also something you can run in if you decide to be stupid.”
My jaw tightens. “Are you threatening me or giving fashion advice?”
His mouth kicks up. “Both.”
Rafe laughs but tries unsuccessfully to cover it up with a cough.
I glance at Nico because my brain wants an ally, even when it knows better. “And him?”
Lorenzo follows my look, voice turning colder. “Nico escorts you. You don’t leave his sight. You don’t talk about where you’ve been. You don’t say my name at all.”
My teeth grind together. “As if I’d ever willingly talk about you.”
Lorenzo’s eyes gleam. “If you behave, maybe this won’t be your last excursion.”
I stare at him for another beat, then spin on my heel and head back up the stairs before I do something that ends with me bleeding on marble.
In my room, I dress fast in jeans, boots, and a sweater. I drag my hair into a knot and stare at my reflection. Not bad.
A knock comes again, and like before, it’s soft.
Not Lorenzo . . . thank God.
I open the door to find Marta holding my coat. Her fingers are trembling as she offers it to me.
“You’re going out?” she whispers.
I take the coat and pull it on slowly. “Apparently, I’ve been granted a day pass from jail.”
Marta’s lips part, then close again. She wants to say something.
“Don’t. It’s fine.” I give her a small smile before I walk past her into the hallway.
Once downstairs, the air feels colder and heavier. Lorenzo stands by the door.
His gaze drifts over me, then stops on my face with something like satisfaction.
Why? No clue. But something tells me he’s going to tell me.
“Good,” he drawls, opening the door. “You listened.”
“As if I had a choice,” I snap, stepping past him into the winter bite. Outside, Nico stands by the car.
“Ready?” Nico asks Lorenzo.
“I’m ready,” I say as if I have a say.
No one here listens to anyone other than Lorenzo.
“Don’t make this harder than it has to be,” Nico says under his breath as I walk past him. He follows me and opens the door. “Get in the car, Victoria.”
He uses my name like he’s warning me, and right now, I don’t want to know why.
I slide into the back seat, and Nico takes the seat beside me. The driver pulls out, and when the estate gates open, we are gone.
Neither of us speaks as we drive off. Soon, the mansion disappears behind us, and the road curves through trees dusted with old snow. I stare out the window and pretend my chest doesn’t hurt.
“You’re quiet,” Nico says as he checks his watch.
I don’t look at him. “I’m practicing for the rest of my life.”
He snorts, then smothers it into a cough-like laughter. “Don’t do anything reckless.”
I turn my head slowly, letting my eyes meet his. “Define reckless.”
Nico’s stare goes flat. “Running.”
“I haven’t run from anything in years.” I regret the honesty instantly, but at least Lorenzo isn’t here to hear it.
“Just . . . don’t speak.” Nico responds.
Thirty minutes later, the Danforth estate is before us. The gates open before we even stop.
My stomach twists. Because that means they’re expecting me, and I don’t know how I feel about it. A month has passed since I’ve seen them last, and from what I can tell, neither has tried to contact me . . . so do I even want to be here?