Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 75699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“I had a great time too, Mom. And yeah, we need to do it a lot. I don’t want to lose sight of my family. Never again will I lose sight of what’s important.”
“I don’t think you ever took us for granted,” she says.
“I didn’t. But when things are going well, you tend to stop remembering to be grateful for what you have. I won’t do that anymore. I love you, Mom.”
“Even though I’ve been hovering?”
I laugh. “Especially because of that. Yeah, it’s annoying. I won’t lie. But I know how much you care. How much you love me. How much my illness affected you and Dad as much as it did me. I’m sorry I put you through that.”
“Raven, honey, we know it wasn’t your fault.”
“I know. But still. Thank you. Thank you for getting me the best care possible. Thank you for hardly ever leaving my side.” I squeeze my arms around her. “Just thank you. For everything.”
“You never have to thank me for anything, Raven.” She breaks out of the embrace and checks her watch. “Heavens, look at the time. I’m still full from that cheeseburger, but I’d better get dinner planned.”
I nod and smile.
And then I walk down the hallway toward my father’s study. I strain my ears against the door, hoping to catch a word.
10
VINNIE
Please help me.
I discreetly shove the note back in my pocket.
Now what?
Is my grandfather going to join McAllister for a cigar? Because if he does, I’ll be obligated to join too. Which perhaps isn’t a bad thing. The longer I’m here, the better chance I may have to get to Belinda. To find out why she needs my help.
But on the other hand, how do I do that?
How do I try to get a little girl alone without looking like a bona fide creep?
Without feeling like a bona fide creep?
I know my intentions are honorable, but no one else will.
The fact that I’m promised to this girl makes the whole thing even more disgusting.
Why did she give me this note? Is someone harming her?
She lives here with McAllister. Her mother passed away a few years ago. As far as I know, she and Miles have the same mother, despite their age difference.
There’s got to be a story there, but I don’t know it.
She has a butler, a housekeeper, and a nanny, so she’s not alone here with her father.
But I also know what her father does for a living.
He traffics not only in drugs but in human beings.
God only knows what he’s doing to this little girl.
Or it could be something simpler.
Perhaps she knows of our impending nuptials, and she wants my help getting out of it. That help I’d be happy to give her. Of course, I can’t tell her that if everything goes according to my plan, neither one of us will be bound into that marriage by the time she’s eighteen.
Maybe that’s all it is.
But my God, what if it’s something horrible?
She’s a child.
And she’s asking for my help.
I have to help her.
When my grandfather and McAllister rise, I follow suit.
“When’s the last time you smoked a Cuban, Vinnie?” McAllister asks.
“Not since I was in Europe,” I say.
He grins. “Today’s your lucky day. Let’s go out on the veranda, shall we?”
“Absolutely.” I nod. “But if you’ll excuse me, I need to use the restroom first.”
“Of course. There’s one right off the foyer.” He points. “Meet us out back.”
I nod. “Looking forward to it.” I’d be a moron to think that this entire house isn’t surveilled, but I have to take a chance. This little girl’s life might be depending on me.
Once my grandfather and McAllister leave the dining room, I walk out into the foyer as well, where I locate the door leading to the powder room.
I don’t actually have to use the facilities, so I head back into the living room where I assume I will find Belinda at the piano.
But she’s not there. When her nanny mentioned a lesson, she must have meant a different kind of lesson.
I walk out of the family room and down a hallway lined with doors. This house is huge. About the same size as my grandfather’s.
I find one door cracked open, and inside I hear Belinda reciting.
Some type of academic lesson apparently.
I shouldn’t interrupt, but how else am I going to find out what’s going on with her?
What the hell? I push the door open.
Belinda stops talking, darting her gaze to me. It’s the first time she’s actually looked me in the eyes since I got here. Seated across from her is the young woman who I thought was her nanny. Perhaps she’s more like a teacher.
“Excuse me,” I say. “I must’ve gotten lost.”
I look Belinda in the eye, hoping that I’m showing her kindness, showing her that she can talk to me.