Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 148962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
“Aww.” Abella lets out a dreamy sigh as she turns the phone back to herself. “You want to clear some space on your schedule this afternoon?”
Mariella rolls her eyes as Angelo agrees.
“Is Nella awake yet?” she asks.
“She’s still napping.”
The two of them converted a space on their office floor into a daycare for their daughter, so when they’re both working, they can be nearby. I don’t think I’ve ever seen more devoted parents, and I’m glad they finally got their happy ending after so much turmoil.
“Okay,” Abella murmurs. “Give me an hour, and I’ll be there.”
They say goodbye to each other, and I shout a quick thank you before Abella disconnects the call.
“You have him wrapped around your finger.” Mariella laughs. “And he doesn’t care who knows it.”
“Well, it’s only fair. He has the same effect on me.”
“Riccardo is going to love this,” Mariella muses.
“Yeah, poor guy has had a bad run of luck lately,” Abella answers dryly. “All those problems with his businesses, escorts blackmailing him, getting mugged, and now losing the best thing he ever could have had. I feel so not sorry for him.”
“Wait, he got mugged?” I ask.
Mariella nods. “At the beginning of the week. Someone beat the shit out of him, and now he’s whining about it to the entire Cosa Nostra, demanding they find the culprit.”
“So that’s why he’s been MIA.” I try not to smile. “Is it wrong that I’m kind of relieved by that?”
“Nope.” Abella shakes her head. “That guy is an asshole, and I’m sure we only know the half of it.”
“Trust me, you don’t want to know.”
Concern flickers across her face. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No, but I don’t know what he’s capable of. After the last dance practice, he called and laid out his plans to control my entire life. He wanted to dictate what I wear, when I’m allowed to spend time with my friends, and give me a phone that he would monitor. That was just the beginning of his tirade.”
“What an insecure little prick,” Abella huffs. “I’m so glad you won’t be chained to him.”
“Me too.” Mariella checks the time and sighs. “Sorry to cut this short, but I have to run back to my office.”
“I’ll walk Gabi to her car,” Abella offers.
“Thank you for being here today,” I tell Mariella. “And for arranging Cecilia’s help. I really appreciate it.”
“Anytime,” she says. “I’ll see you on Friday.”
“Friday?”
“Your birthday?” Her mouth quirks. “We planned a party for you at the penthouse. This is your advance notice so you can prepare to be spoiled.”
“Oh, okay.” I nod.
With everything going on recently, I’d almost forgotten it. My family has never celebrated my birthday, but my friends have always made sure I had one, with all the bells and whistles.
Mariella says goodbye, and we part ways, our guards trailing after us as we walk through the courtyard.
“You still haven’t told me how you knew this was happening today.” I glance at Abella.
“I know,” she says, a note of tension lingering in her voice. “I wanted to wait until we were alone before I mentioned it. Eros tipped me off.”
“How?” I frown.
She hesitates for a moment before she answers. “I know who he is.”
“You do?”
She bites her lip and nods. “I found out sort of inadvertently, and I can explain how if you want to know his identity.”
I contemplate that, but the thought of facing the truth still makes me anxious.
“What do you think? Should I know?”
“That’s something only you can answer.” She offers me an apologetic shrug.
“Well, you aren’t telling me to run, so I’m assuming that means he’s not completely deranged.”
“Not completely.” A quiet laugh escapes her.
“Can you hint at how you found out without completely giving it away?”
“Angelo found out first,” she confesses. “You remember that day you had to move out of your apartment?”
I think back on it, remembering the way Angelo looked at the city inspectors like he knew them. Something was definitely off about the way it played out, and it’s a safe assumption he did some digging to find out who was behind it.
“Is it someone we know?” I ask.
Abella starts to answer, but another wave of panic hits, and I stop her. “Wait, don’t tell me.”
“Okay.” She slams her mouth shut.
“I don’t know what to do,” I groan. “Things are so perfect right now, and I’m afraid when I find out who he is, that will be ruined.”
Her expression remains neutral, giving nothing away.
“Do you think that will be the case?” I press her.
“Honestly, I have no idea,” she says. “I’m not sure how you’ll feel about it once you know.”
I weigh my options, but decision paralysis has me in a chokehold. Eventually, I’ll have to face the truth, whatever it is. He can’t go on wearing a mask forever, and I can’t ignore these complicated feelings I have for him. But right now, I’m already dealing with so much change, and realistically, I can only handle so much at a time. So I make a choice that I think is best.