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)
It’s been two weeks since I came back from the island.
Unsurprisingly, he returned with me on the same boat, careful to keep his distance. When we arrived at the penthouse, he went inside the locked room on the second level.
He’s given me space, but I know he’s still watching over me. On the rare occasions we’re in the same room together, I can feel his gaze on me.
The tension weighs heavy on my chest, and there isn’t a day that I don’t feel like I’m suffocating.
Abella and Mariella have both called to check on me often, as have my other friends now that the truth is out. When I didn’t attend the last Aegis meeting, I told Abella she could give them the condensed version. I didn’t want them to worry, and I would have told them anyway at some point.
At present, everyone thinks Riccardo is on a bender in Las Vegas, which probably isn’t that far-fetched. But Abella assured me that Romeo’s working on making his disappearance seamless by outing the scams he’d been running and making it look like he’d run off for good.
I suspect he and his brothers have also been handling Imperium. Angelo has stopped by several times to discuss something with Romeo, and strange things have been happening ever since.
Last week, there was a news segment about a car accident involving four of the members. The report said they were intoxicated and drove off Lake Washington Boulevard into the water. None of them survived.
A few days after that, authorities claim the remaining three members jumped bail and left the country, presumably using their families’ wealth and resources.
Everyone who has been charged with a crime is now gone, and in the Cosa Nostra, there’s no such thing as coincidence. I think the Vitale brothers are cleaning house, and as unsettling as it is, it’s also a relief. I haven’t forgotten the threats at school. Now, as morbid as it might be, that’s something I don’t have to worry about.
“Hey.”
Abella’s voice startles me from my thoughts. I glance up to find her leaning against the doorframe, watching me work.
“Hi.” I force a smile for her benefit.
“I have it on good authority you haven’t been taking care of yourself.” She frowns. “Working long hours, not eating enough…and not spending time with your friends who love you.”
“I’m sorry.” I lower my gaze, focusing on my hands. “I just haven’t been in a very sociable mood.”
“I get it,” she says. “But I want you to know you don’t have to go through this alone. We’re your family, and we want to be here for you.”
My throat tightens, and I nod.
I never want to burden anyone with my problems, but Abella is right. I can’t keep everything bottled up all the time. It isn’t healthy.
“Anyway, I’m here because we have a lunch date,” she announces.
“We do?”
“Yep.” She smiles. “You, me, and Antonella.”
My first instinct is to tell her I should stay and work, but truthfully, I’ve been at it so long I can’t see straight. It’s also true that I haven’t been eating much, even though Romeo’s been stocking the fridge with all my favorites.
“I guess it would be good to get out for a while,” I agree.
“Perfect. Do you need to do anything before we go?”
I glance at Beppe, who’s currently snoring in his bed. He’s already had his afternoon walk, courtesy of Romeo. He’s picked up on the strain, too, and he’s been spending time with each of us throughout the day.
“I think we should be good.” I get up, give Beppe a quick kiss and cuddle, then we go.
When we enter the living area, Angelo and Romeo are sitting on the lounge.
For a brief moment, my gaze locks with Romeo’s, and my stomach tightens when I notice the dark shadows beneath his eyes. He looks exhausted, and I know the toll it takes on his body when he’s not sleeping enough.
“You want to walk us out?” Abella asks Angelo.
He nods, joining us at the elevator, with Julian following close behind.
I force myself to focus on the doors as they open, trying to forget how terrible Romeo looked.
Once we’re all inside and the doors slide shut, Angelo casts me a worried glance and frowns. Apparently, I don’t look very good either.
The ride down is silent, but just before the car arrives at ground level, Angelo’s voice fills the space.
“Give him time, Gabi.”
When I meet his gaze, it’s impossible to miss the turmoil lurking in the depths of his dark eyes. He’s always been the most serious Vitale brother, and I think he mastered the art of looking terrifying and unapproachable by the age of ten. But there’s no question he loves his siblings, and what happened to Romeo affected him deeply. I think he worries about him more than he’ll ever admit, but right now, it’s written all over his face.