Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
She continued to stare at it. “I don’t think there’s anything little about it.”
I smiled as I got out of the car and went to her side. She was already opening the door so I held it open for her.
I saw her wince and knew the neck sprain was probably going to get worse. We were greeted by my housekeeper, Marie.
“Go with Marie and settle down in whichever bedroom takes your fancy. The ones that face the water are the best,” I said.
Zola smiled tiredly and I watched her follow Marie up the stairs, her movements stiff.
As long as she remained safe and protected under my watch, she would slowly heal. Giotto came with me, and the moment I sat down we began to work on how to deal with the mess that the bastard Ugo had created this morning.
“How’s Tony doing?” I asked.
“Doc has stitched him up. He’ll make it. It went clean through his chest, but didn’t hit anything major.”
“Hmm,” was my response. “Call his wife. Make sure she has everything she needs. And get a new phone for Zola.”
“On it, Boss,” he said as he walked out.
My phone rang. It was Detective Hudgens.
“Where is she?” he demanded aggressively.
My blood was boiling, but I kept my voice neutral. “Who?”
“Don’t play games with me, Moretti. I know we didn’t live up to expectations, but you can’t keep her. She’s a witness in your case. The court can use this to discredit her testimony.”
“I didn’t say I had her,” I said calmly. “Why would I have her?”
“So, she’s missing? And you’re okay with that?”
“It’s your case. I’m sure you’ll find her.”
“You’re going to ensure this entire process is a hellish one for me, aren’t you?” he asked belligerently.
He’d fucked up. She would have died under his watch and he dared to take that tone with me. Before I said something I would regret, I ended the call.
I was still reeling from how close to death she had come. I called Marie to ask which room she had chosen.
“She asked for the room that was next to yours, Sir.”
Marie’s words brought a song to my heart even though I was still very aware of the fact that at any point in time, I could be gone, and if she became too attached she would fall apart. I decided to take a stroll to her room.
The door was opened to reveal her in a towel with her hair piled on top of her head. Our eyes met and I couldn’t help the rush of desire that ran through me. She bit her bottom lip.
“I was going to take a shower,” she said.
“I just wanted to check on you and make sure you’re ok.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m getting you a phone,” I said. “Giotto will bring it over.”
“Thank you. What about you? Will you be … around or … will you leave?”
I smiled. “I’ll be around. Actually, I’m heading to the gym. Got to release some energy.”
She stared at me. “Okay.”
“The compound’s safe. You could go on a hike if you want. There’s also the lake. You could go for a swim.”
“A swim?”
“Yeah. It’s warm today so the lake should be lovely. If it isn’t then we have a heated indoor pool in the gym. I’ll be taking a swim there later.”
She looked at me. “A swim sounds appealing, but I still have visions of drowning.”
I smiled. “Not on my watch. I’ll be there.”
She considered this and then she nodded.
“Just call me when you’re ready to come down.”
She nodded and I walked away.
Chapter 41
Zola
Aswim with Dante?
The more I thought about it the more appealing it became.
I opened the closet doors and found it stocked with female clothes and all in my sizes. There were dresses, casual clothes, a couple of swimming costumes, and even pretty underwear. For a fraction of a wild second, I considered perhaps this had been put here for me, but it didn’t make any sense.
There was no way he would have known an attack would happen and the government would be unable to protect me. Or that I would choose this room from the many others.
But then I saw the white swimsuit that looked identical to the one I was wearing when he saved me from drowning all those years ago … and I knew. All this stuff was bought for me.
I sank down in shock as my eyes took in all the clothes. All of it was my style. He’d put time and thought into it. I stood at the window. I would never have believed he could be so thoughtful. He was part of the Mafia, for God’s sake. No wonder my father loved him so much.
I became determined to make it up to him.
I dressed in the white swimsuit, put a pair of shorts and a T-shirt over it, then made my way to the door. When I opened it, I found a box waiting outside the door.