Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
“Anya.”
The way in which he says my name like the tenderest but most powerful warning makes me whip my head around to face him again.
He bites out every word. “Who did you see?”
I’m not reluctant to tell him because I’m protecting Evan. I just don’t want him to be privy to my humiliation.
“If that’s how you want to play it,” he says.
It’s not the finality with which he utters those words that scares me as much as the regret that slips into his tone.
I swallow away the tightness in my throat before saying, “Evan Kearney.”
“Justice Kearney?”
“Yes,” I say a bit more harshly, hating that he’s forcing me to confess this.
“Why?” he asks, dragging out the word with something like sardonic humor.
Lowering my lashes, I fiddle with the strap of the bag in my lap.
He stills my fingers by cupping my hand, pulling my gaze back to him as he draws circles over my skin with his thumb.
“Do you honestly think he can save you, tesoro?”
I frown. Then his meaning hits me. “No! You’re mistaken.”
“Am I?”
I stumble over the words in my haste to utter them. “I didn’t go there to do what you think.”
“And what is it that I think?”
“It’s not that. I promise you. I didn’t tell him what I saw,” I say, breathless with fear. “You’ve got it wrong. I swear it.”
He studies me like a powerful god about to decide my fate, and it’s not far off the mark. “Do you expect me to believe that?”
It’s imperative that he believes me, because if he doesn’t, I know where he’s taking me. In that case, we’re definitely heading to my grave.
I don’t have a choice but to tell him, “I went there to…” I inhale deeply, my cheeks burning as I admit, “…to ask him for money.”
His eyes tighten with suspicion. “Money for what?”
“Vitamins.”
“Vitamins?” Disapproval darkens his face. “Is that your code for drugs?”
It hurts that he thinks that about me. I don’t even know why his opinion matters. All I know is that his unfair judgment of my character infuriates me.
I jerk my hand from where he’s still touching it with his disturbing caress. “Are you crazy? I’m pregnant, for God’s sake. Do you think I’d do that to my baby? Do I look like an addict?”
“Money for what, Anya?” he asks again, undeterred by my outburst.
I heave a frustrated sigh. “I’m anemic, okay? I need iron and folic acid supplements.” Admitting the next part is the worst. “I couldn’t afford to buy the supplements, so I asked him for the money. There. Are you happy?”
Too ashamed to hold his gaze, I look away.
He grips my chin and turns my face back to him. “Is that why you went to the gynecologist on Friday and this morning?”
If I still doubted he’s having me followed, there’s no question about it any longer. He just admitted it in not so many words.
“She got the results of my blood test,” I say with reluctance.
His gaze drills into mine. “What are the symptoms?”
“Dizzy spells.” I shrug. “I fainted a while ago.”
His jaw flexes even as his eyes flare. “You fucking fainted?”
I pull my face from his hold. “Yes.”
“When?”
Giving him an exasperated look, I ask, “Does it matter?”
“Yes,” he says tightly.
“During the week.”
“Fuck, Anya. Why didn’t you tell me? You could’ve injured yourself.”
“Tell you?” I chuckle. “Why would I do that?”
“I would’ve taken you to Nicole, which brings me to another point I’m going to make very clear to you. From now on, Dr. Wade is your treating ob-gyn. Got that?”
“I can’t afford her,” I say with mounting agitation. “Which reminds me, you still haven’t given me her bill.”
The small hoop in his ear catches the light that runs along the door handle. “I already settled the bill.”
“I told you I’d pay for it.”
“I never expected you to.”
“I’ll pay you back.”
“That won’t be necessary. Money isn’t an issue. I’ll cover Nicole’s bills, and I’ll get you the vitamins you need. You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Why do you care, Saverio? What difference does it make in your life?”
“In case you failed to understand the situation, I need you alive and well.” There’s no question about how serious he is when he continues. “Your health is not only my concern but also my responsibility. That night you walked into something you shouldn’t have, you signed your life over to me. That’s why I’m going to arrange for your mother’s medical and housing bills to be sent to me.”
“You’re going to do what?” I exclaim.
“The costs of her care are high. I thought you’d be happy not to have to worry about that.”
Wait. “How do you know about my mother?”
He doesn’t reply.
Great. On top of having me followed, he did a background check on me.
Incredulous, I say, “You didn’t discuss it with me.”
“Wouldn’t make a difference. It’s my responsibility now.”