Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 84219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Morning, “Franco says, his tone back to being stern.
“Morning,” they all reply in unison, then Marcello says, “I’ve updated Via. She’s ready.”
“Good.” Franco glances at me, then explains, “Via will be your bodyguard. She’ll be by your side no matter where you go.”
My eyebrows fly up. “Why?”
“To protect you.”
“Against?”
Franco narrows his eyes. “Anyone who tries to touch what’s mine.”
Right.
I turn my attention to Via, who’s a couple of inches taller than me. Holding out my hand to her, I say, “It’s nice to meet you.”
She shakes my hand. “It’s an honor protecting you, Miss Blakely.”
I give her a friendly smile. “Just call me Samantha.”
Her eyes dart to Franco for permission, and when he nods, I glance at Milo. “Thank you for breakfast. It was delicious.”
He looks surprised I’m talking to him as he mutters, “You’re welcome.”
Marcello gestures at my bandaged hand. “Can I take a look at the wound?”
I nod, and walking into the living room, I take a seat on one of the couches. Just like the night before, Marcello sits on the coffee table where the first aid kit is still lying.
Franco comes to stand behind the couch and places his hand on my shoulder.
Marcello is gentle as he removes the bandage. When I see the stitches, I wonder why it doesn’t hurt more.
Marcello cleans the wound before he wraps a fresh bandage around my hand. He pulls a small plastic holder from his pocket and says, “Take three a day until you’ve completed the course.”
I take it from him, and seeing it’s medication, I ask, “What’s it for?”
“It’s an antibiotic.”
Franco takes it from me, muttering, “I’ll make sure she takes them.”
I climb to my feet, and say, “Thank you, Marcello.”
“Any time,” he murmurs.
I turn my attention to Franco and ask, “Did your men, by any chance, lock my apartment last night and bring the keys?”
“Oh. I have them,” Milo says, and digging in his pocket, he pulls the keys out and hands them to me.
“Great.” Walking to Franco, I stand on my tiptoes and press a kiss to his cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
His eyebrows fly up, and he shakes his head. “I’m not letting you go to the apartment alone.”
“I have Via.”
“I’m taking you,” Franco says with finality darkening his tone.
“Okay.”
He takes my right hand, and I’m tugged out of the house before I’m bundled into the back of the G-Wagon.
When he takes a seat beside me, I roll my eyes at him. “Stop being a caveman.”
He sucks in a deep breath, and his features soften. “Sorry. Seeing the stitches pissed me off.”
“It doesn’t hurt much,” I say to make him feel better.
He lifts my left hand and presses a kiss to the bandage as Via and Milo climb into the front of the vehicle.
When we leave the property, I lean my head against Franco’s shoulder, wondering how I’ll feel when I walk into my apartment.
A while later, Milo parks the G-Wagon in front of the building, and we all get out.
Franco wraps an arm around me as we head up to my apartment, and when I unlock the door, I suck in a deep breath.
Stepping inside my home, I glance at the broken glass and dead flowers on the living room floor before taking in the kitchen table standing askew and the toppled chairs.
There’s blood smeared on the tiles from when I struggled against Todd.
A shiver shudders through my body as I remember glimpses of the fight.
Franco pulls me against his chest while he growls, “Via, pack clothes for Samantha.”
“Yes, boss,” she murmurs before darting into my bedroom.
I move out of Franco’s embrace and walk to the kitchen. When I crouch to pick up the pan, I feel him behind me.
Straightening up, I set the pan on the table, saying, “I saw my future while I fought him.”
Franco wraps his arm around my waist, and nudging my face up, he asks, “What did you see?”
A smile tugs at my mouth. “Us.” Standing on my tiptoes, I press a kiss to his lips. “I saw us.”
Chapter 40
Franco
After getting Samantha settled in my place, I head to the armory.
It was a good idea to assign Via to her. I feel a hell of a lot better knowing Samantha has a guard with her when I have to take care of business.
When I walk into the torture room, it’s to see Todd’s limp body hanging from the shackles.
“Are you still alive?” I ask as I move closer.
He pries his eyes open and lets out a garbled sound.
I glance at Santo and order, “Bring it in.” Turning my eyes to Marcello, I say, “Let the doctor down.”
While Marcello frees the man’s wrists from the shackles, Todd lets out a painful groan.
Santo and Joey carry a wooden box into the room and place it on the floor.
When Todd drops to the floor, he lets out a cry, which makes a smile form on my face.