Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
I wandered deeper into the narrow building. I was off the street, yet my nerves still felt taut. I reached into my pocket for my phone, deciding to simply call Dante and admit I was lost, when a voice spoke up.
“Well, if the lamb didn’t wander into the lion’s den.”
I spun on my heel and met the remote eyes of Ramon Winters.
He smiled at my shock, his expression cold and calculating. He stepped closer.
“Hello, my dear.”
I reared back. “What-what are you doing here?”
“This is my gallery. One of many.”
“Gallery?” I questioned, thinking of the elegance and warmth of Dante’s.
He shrugged. “To tourists, it is. They can take home a great work of art from Italy and boast to their friends.”
I was like a parrot. “A great work of art?” I said, sarcasm evident in my voice.
He didn’t look upset over my reaction. “To each his own.” His expression turned darker. “I have four of these galleries in the city. More elsewhere. I make a large amount of money with them.”
“And you don’t care that you fleece tourists?”
“Fleece?”
“Steal from them.”
He laughed, the sound unnerving. “I take their money, they take home something they like. Everyone is happy.” He took a step toward me, and I stepped back, realizing I was now against a display case. “Unlike your boyfriend, I don’t steal.”
“Dante doesn’t steal either. He is a reputable businessman. Unlike you.”
“Oh, I have a gallery like his too. Perhaps not as snobby. But I’m smarter. I cater to the masses.” He looked around. “Where is your protector? I’m surprised he let you darken my door.” Then his gaze narrowed, focused on me. “Or perhaps he is unaware you are here. How…fortuitous…for me.”
His words, spoken in his thick accent, sent a shudder down my spine. My heart rate picked up, and I felt sweat break out on my neck.
“He is waiting. I have to go.”
He laughed again, the sound freezing my blood. “I doubt that. Besides, I want to show you something.”
“No, thank you.” I began to move past him, and he grabbed my upper arm, squeezing it hard enough I felt the pressure acutely, even through the sleeve of my jacket.
“I insist.”
I reacted as I always did when panicked. I bolted. Tore my arm from his grip and pushed around him, ignoring the sound of breaking glass as I rushed from the store and outside. Blindly, I turned and ran down the street, my gasps of air loud to my ears. I fumbled for my phone, no idea if I was headed in the right direction when I heard it. My name being shouted by a familiar voice.
Dante.
He was here.
I looked around, frantic, spotting him rushing toward me, pushing people out of the way to get to me. Not looking where I was going, I sprinted toward him, crashing into his chest, almost sobbing in gratitude when his arms came around me. Relief flooded me. I was safe. I was always safe in his arms. Greedily, I inhaled his scent, burrowing myself into him as close as I could get. I whispered his name, needing to feel him. He was safety. Strength. Love.
Home.
His voice was soft in my ear.
“It’s okay, Little Bee. I have you.”
DANTE
I watched the little red dot move as Brianna shopped. I had a program on her phone that tracked her. It wasn’t because I didn’t trust her, but I had noticed her lack of awareness and bad direction. If she was lost, I needed to be able to find her. I could request a location, and the app told me exactly where she was. I laughed as she stopped at three different cafés, and I assumed she was snacking. She seemed to be in no hurry, and I was glad. I wanted her to enjoy the city. Naples was beautiful. I was amused as the charges started showing on my card. Coffee, gelato, and something from a bakery appeared on it, followed by small charges for God only knew what. I got busy with another meeting and looked again at the credit card. She made a larger purchase at a boutique, probably a scandalous number to her, but to me, it was nothing. I wondered idly what she’d bought and hoped she would show me later. I glanced at the app, frowning when I saw she was half a dozen blocks away from the gallery. I zeroed in on the locale, surprised she was in Gino’s Trinkets and Treasures. I relaxed though, because Gino was a throwback to another era and would take good care of her, being the courteous gentleman he was. She would probably head back this way after.
My phone rang, and I spoke to my manager in London about an acquisition that had come in. We discussed my next trip there, and when I hung up, I looked at the app, my blood freezing when I saw she was farther away, not closer. I tapped to see the location and was on my feet, running before it had completely downloaded.