Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80503 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80503 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
After a couple more glasses of wine, the party breaks up. The women head inside, laughing together, and I hang back with Karah. She stands close to me and we linger near the back wall, staring out into the black beyond the edges of the light.
“All that stuff about Gavino and Sonia should stay between us,” Karah says. “It’s not like you can’t know, but he’ll be upset if he realizes we’re talking about him.”
“I understand.”
“And don’t let Olivia get to you. She’s the Don’s wife, which means she’s extra paranoid.”
“She’s nice though. I mean, once you get past the fact that she clearly hates that I’m here.”
Karah laughs and nods. “She is nice. You’ll like her when she opens up.”
“I’m not sure I’ll be around long enough for that.”
Her smile fades and she shrugs. “I’ll tell you something else about Gavino. He hasn’t been with a woman since Sonia. I mean, I’m sure he’s had women, which I don’t like to think about since he’s my freaking brother, but he hasn’t brought a woman home in a very long time. It’s strange that you’re here and I’m not sure what to make of it, but so long as you don’t try to hurt the family, I’m happy that he decided it’s time.”
“It’s time for what?” I feel myself blushing again.
“To open himself up.” She turns away and heads to the back door.
“It’s not like that,” I call out. “I just needed a safe place to stay. It’s a business arrangement!”
“That’s what we all said.” Karah laughs and disappears inside.
I stand there alone with my wine. I throw it back, trying not to picture myself sitting at that table, night after night, talking and laughing and becoming a part of their world. A part of their family.
It’s a tempting vision and one that will never, ever happen.
What am I supposed to make of these women? How am I supposed to think about Gavino now?
Did he really bring me here because he wants something more?
The idea seems absurd, but then I think back to the way he touched me, kissed me, the way he still looks at me—and I wonder.
As I turn back to the house, a member of the staff hustles out the back door. He’s a young kid, maybe nineteen at most. “Uh, excuse me, Ms. Jeanie?”
“Just Jeanie.”
“Jeanie, Mr. Gavino wants you over at his place for dinner.”
“Right now?”
He nods quickly. “Should I tell him—?”
“I’ll head over. Thank you.”
The kid scurries away. I turn to stare into the night and my heart’s doing flips as I walk down the steps and march off to Gavino’s place, not sure what he wants, and terrified of finding out.
Chapter 16
Gavino
“Sit,” I order and jab a knife toward the table. “White or red?”
“Uh,” Jeanie says and lowers herself into her seat at my kitchen table. She fiddles with the cloth napkin and the silverware and shrugs. “White.”
“Good choice. We’re having a seafood pasta dish. No, I didn’t cook it, and no, I don’t fucking cook.” I glare at her, daring her to question me. She blinks and shrugs.
“I didn’t think you would.”
“Good.” I disappear back into the kitchen, finish slicing the bread, cover it in olive oil and freshly grated cheese, and put it in the oven. This isn’t cooking. This is throwing shit on other shit and tossing it into some heat. That’s not cooking. I set a timer for ten minutes then pour the wine.
Jeanie seems overwhelmed. She’s wearing jean shorts and a tank top. Clearly, she didn’t think I was serious when I said I was feeding her a good meal. I sit down across from her and sip my wine as she watches warily, brushing her hair back and to the side, nervously chewing on her lip.
She hasn’t been back in my house since that first night and it feels strange for her to be here. My home is my sanctuary—it’s quiet, empty, a place to think without distractions.
Jeanie the ultimate distraction.
“I hear you had a nice evening with my sister and my in-laws yesterday,” I say carefully. That’s not the reason she’s here, but I want to get it out in the open first thing.
“They ambushed me,” she says, sounding slightly panicked. “They were nice though, I swear.”
I grunt and nod. “I know.”
“How?”
“I have spies in the big house,” I say, waving a hand. “I have them keeping an eye on you.”
Her cheeks turn red. “Are you serious? You’re spying on me?”
“For your own protection.”
“You’re insane. You can’t spy on me for my protection, that’s just—”
“Just what?” I ask, leaning forward, eyebrows raised. “Crazy? Overbearing? Intense?”
“All of the above.”
“Get used to it then, princess.” I lean back again and sip my wine. “Truth is though, I don’t want you getting too comfortable up in the villa. This deal with Malcolm is speeding toward a close and once that happens, your chances at doing something will diminish into nothing. If you’re going to hurt him, you’d better get on it soon.”