Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 61942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“But you’re the boss. Can’t you just stay here? Stay here like you did last time?” She abandoned her pride and begged, and I’d never loved hearing a woman beg before. I usually found it whiny and annoying, but with Laura, it was a turn-on.
I was in hot water and couldn’t afford unnecessary vacations. “I’ll come back, sweetheart.” I gave her a final kiss before I let her go. “Take this.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out another phone.
She stared at it in my hand. “Why?”
“Because I’m sure they’ve tapped yours.” I set it on the nearby dresser. “And don’t bring it with you. Leave it here, in your nightstand or under the mattress.” I moved to the door then gestured for her to leave. I’d wait fifteen minutes to make sure Leonardo’s men had taken the bait. Then my guys would notify me when it was safe to move. It felt like Laura and I were having a clandestine affair, but our relationship had become too meaningful to enjoy the thrill of sneaking around and meeting in beautiful hotel rooms.
She looked at me with heartbroken eyes, like she was afraid this was the last time she would see me, like I’d decided to end this relationship again instead of giving it another chance. “Be careful.” She cupped my face and kissed me before she walked out the door.
The second she was gone, I was enveloped by the shadows of the dark apartment, the cold after her warmth had left. I was back to being alone, and while I used to thrive in solitude, it felt hollow now.
Hollow without her.
16
LAURA
The scene was ridiculous.
Catherine and I went shopping, and Victor and Lucas tagged along. We ended up in the market for lunch, the four of us sitting together like it was the good ol’ days. Lucas didn’t speak to me, hardly looked at me, so the mutual hatred was still thriving.
Victor tried to carry my bags like he was my boyfriend, but I shut that shit down quick. He sat across from me at the table, and I studied his expressions as I tried to figure out if he was lying to me.
If he’d double-crossed me.
That answer wouldn’t be obvious in his features or the sound of his voice. Unless I found the evidence in his phone or overheard a private conversation, I would never know with complete certainty.
Victor held my gaze. “Everything okay, Laura?” His question drew the attention of both Catherine and Lucas.
I’d had the best night of my life, carried invisible scars from his kisses and caresses, and then I had to say goodbye. No, I wasn’t okay. I was heartbroken again, because I’d imagined if I had Bartholomew back in my life, he would stay. Now he was gone again, and I was stuck here, looking at the face of a man who may have betrayed me. “I have a headache.” That was partially true, because I was going through withdrawal without my man.
“I can grab you something at the pharmacy,” Victor offered.
“No, it’s fine. I have something in my purse. Just took it a couple minutes ago.”
Victor continued to stare at me across the table, ignoring his half-eaten pizza in front of him.
“Where should we go now?” Catherine asked. “Valentina?”
I couldn’t afford the cheapest thing in that store, not even a belt. “Sure.” Most of the day had been spent watching Catherine blow ridiculous amounts of father’s money on shit she didn’t even need while the three of us followed behind. I’d grabbed a couple things, but they were all from vendors on the street.
As we got up from the table, my phone vibrated with a notification.
My bank had received a wire transfer for a hundred thousand euros.
“Jesus…”
“What is it?” Victor asked.
I quickly deleted the notification so it would disappear from my phone. “Just saw a news headline.” I returned my phone to my purse, and we left the market and returned to the street.
Victor continued to study me like he didn’t believe me, but he didn’t press me on it.
A couple days later, Victor and I had dinner together at my favorite restaurant. He always let me pick, and he always insisted on paying, even though Bartholomew had just dropped a small fortune into my bank account. I could leave my apartment and move in to the Four Seasons. I didn’t want his money, but I couldn’t deny it was a godsend. My savings had taken a serious hit, and very soon, I was going to run out of money. I’d pushed it to the back of my mind because my revenge was more important than whatever I had left, but he’d now fixed that problem for me.
I would spend it because I didn’t have a choice, and if he hadn’t given me that money, I would have had to ask Victor…and that would make me feel dirty.