Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 45702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
It’s gonna be a fresh start, alright, and as much as a case of money is, it’ll need to be put to work to make us even more.
No woman of mine is going to worry about money, a place to live, or the finer things.
I’m used to those things myself, come to think of it.
I feel a little stab of remorse for all those pretty things that cost a fortune that I guess I secretly do enjoy more than I thought.
But none of it compares to Jasmine, and she’s worth a million cars or watches, or any of it.
She’s priceless, and as the night shifts into the early gray dawn of day, I finally relax.
I think it’s the first time in my entire life I’ve actually felt so loose, so like myself.
A self I’ve never really had a chance to consider until tonight.
Hell, if the sign on the gate didn’t say any different, I’d swear we were right at home already.
But we can’t stay here. Not for much longer.
Part of keeping anyone missing involves moving them, and in this case, it means both of us because there’s no way I’m bringing Jasmine back to my father.
It’ll only be a matter of time before he learns the real Maria Portello has fled.
Something I’m sure Portello will hold him to account for, even if he had nothing to do with her leaving.
Shifting myself so I don’t wake her once I get up, I check the dying fire and feel satisfied that all our clothes are dry.
A little smokier than I’d like but dry from the flames.
A new fire lit inside both of us, though, and glancing over at Jasmine for maybe the millionth time, I notice she’s missing something.
Her eyeglasses.
Earlier, I might have sworn it was the one thing I found irresistible about her, but even without them, she’s perfect.
But a perfect girl who can’t see where she’s going isn’t what either of us needs, so I decide to check the car.
She must’ve left them in the car. Otherwise, they’re gone for good.
I admit, being a little preoccupied with other things on my mind and in my hands, I kinda hadn’t even noticed until now.
Frowning I notice it’s not only Jasmine who was forgetful when I get to the car.
In our rush to get inside, I left my phone in the car as well as the fucking car keys.
Doors unlocked, but the case and all that cash is still staring back at me.
I think this is the one place in all of the state where you could leave a suitcase like this and still find it the next morning.
I rummage around a little and find Jasmine’s glasses, making sure I stow them safely in my jacket pocket for now.
The urge to check my phone is strong, but I know better than switching it on.
Old habits die hard, but we all know our phones are easily tapped and tracked, only using them for boring things like actually making phone calls and nothing else.
The Martinellis rarely send a text or email.
And until this morning, we’ve never left a trail as wide as I have either.
I can almost hear Papa’s disdain in the air as I smile to myself, recalling what Maria Portello had said about being free.
I feel the chilly wind on my face, knowing Jasmine’s waiting for me to snuggle up to her and warm her up some more.
I’m beginning to like this freedom thing.
Feels like what I was really made for.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jasmine
I wake up suddenly and shivering naked under the rough blanket. I reach for the man I know isn’t there long before I even open my eyes.
Sitting up in a near panic, I’m relieved when I hear Rocco’s telltale steps as he comes back inside.
It’s still dark out, with just the faintest hint of the morning through the gray clouds outside, but I’m wide awake now.
And eyeing my clothes, it isn’t long before Rocco starts handing them to me, making me blush once I shoo him a little.
Telling him to turn around while I get dressed.
“Turn around?” he complains, shrugging and doing as I ask.
I hurriedly try to dress, catching my toes on the elastic of my underwear and almost tumbling over head first.
Setting myself straight again, I can see Rocco’s beaming smile in the huge mirror he’s in front of, watching every inch of me from every angle.
“Nothing I haven’t seen before,” he comforts me, ignoring my orders to keep his back turned. Taking me in his arms, and after asking if I’m alright, he gives me the best good morning kiss I’ve ever had.
Okay, it’s the only good morning kiss I’ve ever had, but, my god, what a start to the day.
What a memory from last night.
What a….
“I gotta go…to the bathroom,” I tell him urgently, remembering the second thing that woke me up suddenly.