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)
“What are you talking about?” I cut her off. “I’m in love with you.”
Her eyes widened with shock. Then, she set the fork down slowly. “Can you please repeat that? I don’t think I heard you right.”
I chuckled. “I’m in love with you. Isn’t it obvious?”
She buried her face in her hands.
“How could it be? You’ve been so cold to me all day.”
“Of course, I have. I was mad at you.”
“Ooh,” she said and lifted her gaze. “Was mad?”
“I can’t stay mad at you. You’re too cute.”
She dropped her head. “Actually, I’m deeply in love with you too. I just said care because I was afraid of being rejected by you.”
I reached for the glass of deep red pomegranate juice on the tray, took a sip, and set the glass down contemplating what to say next.
I looked out at the beautiful spread of property and knew we would have to leave it for a little while. But it would be necessary to leave the country for a little while to forget about us once I had taken care of Ugo.
“How do you feel about London?” I asked. “I know you were there under duress the last time we were there.”
“No, I loved my time there with you. When I was lying battered and bruised inside the freezer, I dreamed of that night you washed my hair. It kept me alive.”
My fist clenched. I had hated Ugo before, but now I hated him with a passion. I wanted to boil him alive and laugh while he screamed in pain.
I took a deep breath. I understood that everything was too raw right now and both Zola and I needed time to mend our hearts and bodies. Slowly. Slowly, I would mend my sweet love and return her to the carefree creature she was before this mess began.
“How do you feel about living there for a little while? Just till things calm down here. It’s an option I'm looking into.”
“I don’t care where I am as long as I’m with you. When are we going?”
“Not immediately. Once I’ve taken care of things … and Ugo. Then we’ll leave.”
“We’re going to be free before leaving. Free from Ugo?”
“Yes.”
She looked me straight in the eye, her expression intense. “You kidnapped his small son. Where is he now? What’s going to happen to him?”
“I believe he’s having a great time in Disneyland. Ugo made the mistake of hiring the woman I sent over as a spy years ago. When I gave the word, she convinced the little boy they were going on a secret trip together. It was all too easy to arrange.”
She frowned. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
I looked at her in surprise. “You knew I’d sent the boy to Disneyland?”
“No, I didn’t know where you had sent him, but I knew he would be safe. I knew you wouldn’t hurt him.” Her voice became urgent. “You can’t take on Ugo, Dante. You’re too kind and good. He would eat you alive. I saw the real him. And he’s a dangerous lunatic. A mad, out-of-control psychopath. He has no boundaries. He will go where you can’t.”
“I know you’re worried, my darling, but there is a side to me you have never seen before. I don’t hurt women and children, but I have gazed so long into the abyss that I have now I become the abyss. I can promise you, Ugo will regret the day he decided to take me on.”
“I'm learning not to question you. As you said earlier, this is your world and you know best how it functions. I can also see that Ugo will never stop, never give up. There is nowhere we can run to that will be safe, that he will not eventually find. He is a man possessed with the idea of punishing you for the disrespect you showed in that nightclub all those years ago when you refused to drink his urine. And I also know we can’t keep living in fear, but I’m terrified, Dante. I’m terrified yesterday will happen again … and maybe this time it will not be a clean wound. Maybe this time I will lose you.”
I understood her fears, but there was no other option. Ugo left me no option. “Or maybe this old vendetta will finally be over.”
My gaze went to the picturesque lake, and in silence, we both watched the setting sun.
“Will you keep this property?” she asked.
“Until the day I die.”
She nodded, but I didn’t miss the glistening of tears in her eyes. I didn’t mean to say things that made her teary-eyed.
“I’m sorry, Zola. I’m sorry things are not different. You will just have to trust me that there is no other way for us to get out of this situation.”
She nodded and sighed. “I know. Is there anything I can do to help?”