Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
One full minute passed.
Dio asked finally, “What are you suggesting?”
Danilo glanced at his watch. Nine in the morning. He knew, from Avery, that Domenico had once again tried to lose himself in a night of debauchery. His twin would probably need an hour or two before he could become coherent. “I’ll accompany you to Domenico’s suite. I’ll make sure you won’t choke on your apology, Father.”
Dio cursed.
“You’re welcome, Father.” He sent a text message to Avery. We’ll be there at eleven. Make sure Domenico’s sober.
“Waiting will just get on my nerves,” Dio said. “Let’s get this over with. I’ll meet you there.”
Dio ended the call before Danilo could speak. Fuck! If Dio caught sight of Domenico now...and if Domenico woke up with another hangover and a surly temper—-
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Danilo was out of his office in a flash. He had to get to Domenico first.
DOMENICO MORETTI CAME out of his room and almost stumbled at a foot stuck out in front of him. He looked down, his scowl disappearing and his furious words dying when he saw exactly what was in his way.
Misty was seated on the floor, her back against the wall, sleeping. There were dark shadows under her eyes, and her nose appeared red...from crying.
His chest constricted. Why the fuck did he feel so guilty about her? She was no one. For all he knew, she was just one of the many women who had come to work for his family in order to milk him or one of his brothers for money.
He forced himself to move.
He had only taken one step when fingers curled around his ankle.
He looked back, and Misty was looking up at him, her sleepy eyes filled with shock and apprehension.
Again, Domenico’s chest constricted, more painfully this time. “Let go.” His voice was rough.
Reddening at his tone, Misty immediately released him, scrambling to her feet right after. “Y-you’re awake.” It was a silly thing to say, but she couldn’t make herself say what was really on her mind. Were they over then? Had he finished...had he finished fucking his brains out?
A quick glance on her watch told her it was already eight in the morning. A little over ten hours to make him fall in love with her. Less than half a day. It could happen. It would happen. But this time, her heart wasn’t as convinced as it once was.
Not when she had looked back and found the door to Domenico’s room slightly ajar, revealing three naked women curled up on the bed—-
Domenico swiftly closed the door when he saw where she was looking. When their eyes met, hers were glassy. There was no measuring the pain in his chest this time. Goddammit, what was happening to him? Why was he feeling like this? It wasn’t like he owed her his fidelity.
“Why are you still here, Misty?”
“Because I needed to talk to you.” Her voice was steady, but she couldn’t keep her smile from wobbling, couldn’t keep herself from blinking to stop her eyes from shedding tears.
He hated the way she made him feel. It reminded him of the countless times his own father had made him guilty and worthless.
“Let me guess. You’re hurt about the way I left you?” His lip curled in scorn.
She shook her head. “Nope.”
His eyes bored through hers.
“Well, okay, I was hurt, but it doesn’t matter—-”
“Oh, doesn’t it?” His voice became dangerously silky. “Is it because you don’t need me to be sexually faithful? You’re good with sharing me then?” He opened the door. “You’re good with being the fourth?” When she only looked at him, he snarled, “Look at them.”
Misty shook her head vehemently. “No.”
“Look at them!”
“I don’t want to—-”
He held her shoulders. She started to struggle, but he was too strong for her. A second later, and he had forcibly spun her around.
A silent, broken cry escaped her.
It had no sound, not the slightest bit, but behind her, Domenico jerked as if he had heard it all the same, her pain reaching him because even if he didn’t remember her in this world, his heart hadn’t forgotten.
“Misty—-”
This time, she couldn’t stop staring. She couldn’t stop imagining. She told herself she shouldn’t think of Domenico with them, but it was useless. Their nudity mocked her. Offended her. Tore her apart. Are you really sure Domenico loves you? Are you really sure Domenico would have fallen in love with you if he hadn’t needed you in the first place?
The tears fell.
Was that the challenge then? The real challenge?
In their world, Domenico had worked hard to prove to her he loved her, regardless of whether she would be a help to him. But what if he had only been fooling himself? What if he had only really just gotten used to her?
Chapter Seven
Domenico was suddenly blocking her view. His face was white, the pain in his gaze a mirror of what she felt. “I’m sorry,” he said tautly. “I don’t know what made me do that. I’m...sorry.”