Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75472 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I didn’t mean for it to come out sounding like a question, but Tiny intimidates the hell out of me.
I mean, I’ve seen the man drag a body away like it was nothing but a sack of potatoes.
“Okay.” He proceeds to walk to the fridge, and opening the door, he helps himself to a bottle of water.
He seems comfortable in the mansion, and it makes me hope I’ll feel the same way soon.
Whether I like it or not, this place is now my home.
As soon as Tiny leaves the kitchen, I move closer to the fridge. I take a look at everything so I can plan what to prepare for dinner.
As I shut the door, I glance at Rita, who’s leaning against a counter while watching me with a soft smile.
“What are Mr. Rizzo’s favorite meals?”
She shrugs. “He’s seldom home for dinner, so you can make whatever you’re in the mood for.”
I feel a flicker of relief, knowing I probably won’t see much of Angelo.
“What time do you go home?” I ask out of curiosity.
“I work from seven a.m. to four p.m.”
I nod before I finish the last of my coffee, then my gaze searches for the sink. Noticing an arch, I head toward it and find a dishwasher. I quickly rinse my cup before placing it in the appliance.
Taking a deep breath, I smile at Rita before I leave the kitchen so I can go to the main bedroom to get my handbag and the credit card.
Staring at the wide selection of cell phones, I nibble on my bottom lip.
Which one do I choose?
Tiny’s fiddling with the latest Samsung phone, and when he catches me watching him, he puts it down. “Which one do you want?”
I lift a shoulder and let out a huff. “I suck when it comes to technology. I just want something so I can send texts and make calls.”
He picks up the Samsung again and moves closer to me. “You should take this one. The quality is pretty good, and it’s easy to use.”
“Okay.”
A grin spreads over his face, then he asks, “What color do you want?”
“Ah…what do I get to choose from?”
“Lime, silver, violet, and graphite.”
My eyebrows draw together. “What’s graphite?”
Tiny lets out an amused chuckle. “It’s a dark grayish color.”
“Uhm…” I nibble on my bottom lip while I think about which one I should choose, then say, “I’ll take the violet one.”
He gives me a pleased smile. “Good choice, Mrs. Rizzo.”
“Tori,” I blurt out, but then I quickly explain, “I’m not used to Mrs. Rizzo. Just call me Tori.”
He nods, then signals for an attendant to assist us.
I let Tiny handle all the technical work while I stick close to his side.
During the drive to the store, he made it clear that I’m never to leave his sight. I don’t want to make him angry, so I’m doing as I’m told.
It takes a freaking long time before we finally get taken to the counter so we can pay. I dig the credit card out of my wallet, but when I see the price, my mouth drops open.
Angelo will kill me if I spend so much.
My eyes fly to Tiny’s face, and leaning closer, I whisper, “It’s too expensive. Angelo will get angry.”
He frowns at me as he shakes his head. “No, he won’t. He ordered me to make sure you get a cell phone.”
“Yes, but not one that’s so expensive!” I feel a twinge of panic and shake my head hard at the cashier. “Sorry, I have to choose a different phone.”
“Give us a moment,” Tiny tells the cashier before he takes hold of my hand and tugs me to the side. He pulls his phone from his pocket and dials a number. “Mr. Rizzo, can you tell Tori it’s okay if she gets an expensive phone? She’s very worried.”
Nooooo!
Oh God.
Crap.
Why did he do that?
A second later, the device is shoved into my hands.
An icy fear coats my skin, and my heartbeat explodes into a frantic fluttering in my chest.
With a trembling hand, I place the phone against my ear. My words are nothing but a squeak as I say, “I’m sorry. I didn’t think Tiny was going to call you.”
Angelo’s voice sounds like a destructive storm is brewing when he asks, “Did I not say I don’t want you asking my permission whenever you have to buy something?”
I feel like crying, and swallowing hard, I whisper, “Yes.”
‘Please. I’m sorry,’ I hear a man’s voice pleading in the background.
Shock vibrates through me, and my breath stalls in my throat as the blood drains from my face.
“Then buy the fucking phone,” Angelo orders.
Right before he hangs up on me, I hear something that sounds a lot like a gunshot.
Nauseated from all the fear and shock, I lower the phone, and luckily, Tiny takes it from me before I drop the device because I’m shaking badly.