Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
I nodded. That was fairer than I would have expected. My mother had to have known the potential consequences. Did she really think this game was going to last forever? I thought she probably did and likely had plans to try it again, but she would have to do it without my help. “Will I be allowed to visit her?”
“If you so choose, but you are not to give her any assistance, financial or otherwise.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now as for you and what you owe me.”
My heart rate accelerated. I should’ve known better than to think I’d get off that easily. I had screwed up. I’d lied to everyone in the family—at least by omission. I wasn’t sure they would’ve listened to me unless I’d told the whole story, and that just… wasn’t something I could’ve done. I suppose that meant I had to face my own consequences.
I glanced at Blade. He reached for my hand and squeezed it, letting me know he’d support me no matter what.
Sabrina held up her hand. “Lucien, are you telling me you wouldn’t lie to the family to defend your own mother?”
Lucien snarled. “My mother was never—”
“How far would you go to protect a member of your family, one you thought might die for the crime they committed.”
Lucien held our aunt’s gaze for a moment, then nodded and turned back to face me. “Don’t ever lie to me again. If someone is manipulating you or threatening you, come and talk to me. I’ll evaluate the situation, but I will not tolerate deception. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
I glanced over at Sabrina. She smiled as she said, “I think Carlo has thoroughly learned his lesson.”
I nodded, and Blade squeezed my hand tightly.
I looked over at him. “You talked to her, didn’t you?” She’d been so damn quick to come to my defense. I’d already liked her from the little time we’d spent together, but now I decided she was my favorite member of the family.
Blade just smiled, which gave me all the answer I needed.
39
BLADE
“You didn’t even hesitate.” Carlo sounded so completely happy.
“I didn’t,” I said as I shut the door of our room behind us. As soon as Lucien had dismissed us, we’d rushed upstairs to be alone.
Carlo’s smile brightened even more. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you. I’m proud of you too. You stood your ground. You told your story, and I know that wasn’t easy.”
“I felt like a fool. Why did I listen to her?”
“She’s your mother, and she does care for you in some way, at least it sounds like she does.”
“I guess, but for years she’s believed I was siding with my father by refusing to contradict his orders or intercede with him on her behalf.”
“Did he give you a choice in following his orders, or was that the only way to survive in the situation?”
“I really didn’t have a choice.”
“I didn’t think you did. So how do you feel now?”
Carlo smiled. “I feel free, like I might finally have a chance to do something I want to do.”
“What about your responsibilities to Lucien?” Not that I was going to let that stand in his way, but I wanted to know what he was thinking.
“He’s a lot more reasonable than my father, and I think that while I may have to occasionally do jobs for him in order to keep my connection to the family, I think he’ll let me do what I want as long as it doesn’t go against the family business.”
“Does that include owning a café?”
“I think so. I mean, Lucien owns a restaurant. I should take you there some time. It’s amazing.”
I was shocked that the idea of eating at some fancy restaurant in Boston didn’t terrify me. A few months ago, I wouldn’t have considered it, but now, with Carlo, I felt like I could handle a crowd as long as we had a corner table.
I studied Carlo for a moment. I could feel his happiness and his relief. He was so gorgeous and so amazing. Suddenly all I wanted was to show him just how much I loved him.
He met my gaze. “You’ve got that look.”
“What look?” I asked, even though I was fairly sure I knew.
“The one you had that first night, the one that makes me think you want to devour me.”
“Come here.” I leaned back against the door and widened my stance as Carlo moved slowly toward me.
When he reached me, I pulled him in for a ferocious kiss. All the fear and anger that had run through me earlier that night poured out as desperate need. By the time I pulled back to take a breath, Carlo had a leg wrapped around mine like he wanted to climb me. He was already wearing a blissed-out expression.
“That’s…” He paused to lick his lips. “I love you.”