Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44998 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44998 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
The moment I spotted Adrian Sharma, my mind went into overdrive. The chance encounter demanded an immediate change of plans. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I couldn’t let slip through my fingers. The element of surprise left me scrambling, unprepared. Using anything on board was out of the question. Those pesky guest fingerprint records could trip me up. No, I’d have to get creative, pull something together on the fly.
But improvisation always did add a delicious thrill.
It was quick and easy. I slipped into his room just after he did and watched as he stepped out onto the balcony to get some air. My pulse quickened as I savored the moment, knowing his last breath of freedom was already behind him.
That’s when I made my move, grabbing his discarded tie from the bed and wrapping both ends around my fists. He didn’t hear or see me until it was too late. I struck the perfect spot behind his knee, sending him crashing down. Then I looped the silk around his neck. My knee dug into his spine as I tightened my grip. Even after the thrashing stopped, I held on. Can’t be too careful with these things. A rush of adrenaline and power surged through me. How exhilarating to play judge, jury and executioner in the shadows of a luxury cruise ship!
And then I slipped back into bed with Frankie, where as far as she knows, I slept all night.
Francesca freaked out when she woke up just as I thought she would. She knows the danger women face in this world and has seen the aftereffects of those dangers. I hadn’t expected her need for space or her desire to return home, but I handled it. At least I have so far.
“If you’re sure,” I tell her after a long pause. I have plans tonight anyway and Francesca now knows I’ll protect her. She knows I’m the only one who can keep her safe. Not her partner, Jay. Not her ex. No one but me.
“I’m sure,” she says. “I’m going to go over some case files again. In my office,” she says of the guest bedroom she’s been disappearing to when she needs space.
It’s because I’m in her head and she doesn’t even know it’s me.
“If you’re sure there are a few things I can handle at the office.”
Her eyes grow wide. “You’re going to leave me here while you go to work?”
I can’t quite decipher her tone. “You said you were fine.”
“I am,” she answers. “I’m just surprised that my shadow is willing to leave me alone for a few hours to tend to his gazillion dollar empire.”
I roll my eyes. “Not gazillions but yes, there’s a lot riding on this new project and I’d like to make sure it’s progresses as it should.” It’s a reasonable excuse to leave, and my office is the perfect alibi.
“I’m sure, Damien. Go. You’ve spent too many days taking care of me anyway.” She softens her expression and wraps her arms around me. “I appreciate it, I really do. No one has ever taken such good care of me since before my parents died. But we both have to get back to our regular lives.”
She’s right, of course. I do need to get back to my life. I’ve put off something really important, something I need to do so I can look after her, to solidify our bond to make sure that she’s mine. All mine. But now it’s time.
Actually, it’s past time. I gaze at her tenderly. “It’s my pleasure, Francesca. I just want to take care of you, even though I damn well know you can handle yourself. Call me if you need anything.”
“I promise,” she purrs, kissing me again before she takes a step back. “See you later.”
I know she’ll be asleep when I finally return, if I choose to return tonight, so I kiss her one last time, leaving her wanting more, judging by the hazy look in her eyes. “Good luck with your case files.”
“Thank you.” She puts her fingertips to her lips, and I know she wants to tell me she loves me, and you know what’s worse?
I want to hear her say those words again.
“Good night, kitten.” I close the door behind me and head straight to my office where I swipe in with my company ID card and make conversation with the overnight security guard before I head to my office.
It’s empty, of course, which suits my needs perfectly. I change quickly and grab a dummy swipe card so that I can exit through the service entrance without drawing any attention to myself or tripping the security system.
I don’t need to stick to the shadows this late in the evening. No one is paying attention to anyone, they keep their heads down and avoid making eye contact with the people they pass on the street, leaving me free to roam openly.