Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 80942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
I could tell something was wrong, that I should stop or at least slow down, but the thought of parting from her put me in a worse state of mind and I just…couldn’t put an end to it.
She did.
When she stood at the top of that cliff, pain like I never felt before exploded in my chest—fear, too.
Then she jumped.
Everything that happened was because of my inability to slow down. I finally have her back and even her therapist said that her state of mind is improving, despite the stress I put her through last week.
But I know, I just know that if I don’t hit the brakes, this time I will lose her for good.
The thought squeezes my chest worse than when I watched her tumbling down that damn cliff like a leaf in the wind.
I open the door and stride outside, my movements precise but hurried.
When I lost Aunt Annika and was stuck with my parents, I realized that I wasn’t worthy of love, affection, and general positive emotions. My father taught me that in order to survive in this world, I needed to discard those feelings. It came naturally, probably because of who my parents were.
It wasn’t until Lia that I wanted to identify those feelings, to dig under my own skin and understand them better.
Facing them would be difficult, but it’s not impossible, especially if it’s for her and the family we’re building together.
There were times when I thought there was only pain and cold shoulders in our relationship. However, ever since Lia lost her identity, then returned to her old self, I thought maybe we got a second chance.
A chance where we won’t give up on each other.
A chance I won’t miss.
Kolya and Yan join me at the top of the stairs.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I ask Yan. “Why aren’t you with Lia?”
“Didn’t you tell me not to be with her alone?” He retrieves his phone. “Wait. She called me.”
Of course she did.
I still hate their friendship. I don’t care how many times it’s saved her or how much she needs it.
Sucking in a breath, I head outside, checking her tracker on my phone, then freeze.
It’s fucking moving away.
34
Lia
“Luca…stop.”
My feet hurt and it’s not only because of the heels.
When my ex-friend showed up and held a gun to my side and told me to follow him, I did. Not because I was scared of his weapon, but because he threatened to kill Adrian.
Besides, I want this whole thing resolved so we can all move on with our lives. Ever since that day at the park, I knew he’d come back and make a move. I just didn’t know when.
After what I learned from Papa, I now understand why Luca wishes me harm. He’s obviously an enemy of my father’s and has been using me all along.
Just like Adrian.
No. My husband might have wanted to use me and even planned to, but he didn’t go through with it. In fact, he hates that I got myself involved in the whole scene.
“Luca.” I try to pull my hand from his as he drags me forward.
He drove here—after he shoved me in the trunk—so I have no idea where we are.
It mustn’t be too far away, though, because it didn’t feel like he drove for a long time.
We’re in what seems to be a forest, or the outskirts of one. Tall trees are the only things in sight and they appear like monsters’ arms in the darkness. The only light illuminating the way is the one coming from the cottage Luca is pulling me into.
It’s small with a wooden patio and flooring. He shoves me inside and I stumble, catching myself at the last second before I hit the entrance hall.
I expect someone else to come, but no one does. I remain at the entrance while Luca pulls all the curtains closed with his gun still in hand as he peeks outside through the window.
Goosebumps cover my skin from the cold. I left Sergei’s house in a hurry and didn’t bring my coat out, so I’m only in my dress.
My gaze flits from Luca, to his gun, and then to the door. If I attempt to escape, he’ll catch me in no time, considering he obviously knows the area better than me.
Or maybe he’ll hurt me.
Besides, I can’t escape before I sort all of this out.
Hugging my arm, I stare at Luca. He’s wearing black army fatigues and a baseball cap that casts a shadow on his face. He’s removed the mask, so at least he’s not a dark shadow anymore.
“Now what?” I ask.
He keeps staring at the window. “Now, you shut the fuck up until your daddy pays a price for you.”
“A price?”
Luca spins around and crosses his arms over his chest so that the gun is facing forward. “If he wants to get you back alive, he’ll have to give us a share of his South American drug shipments.”