Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
I stare at her for a moment before a whining sound draws my attention to my right. Seeing a dog with the leash tied to a fire hydrant, I walk closer.
I crouch in front of the dog and carefully pet her head. “I’m just going to assume you’re a girl,” I whisper as my palm brushes over her soft hair. “What are you doing out here in the cold?”
She jumps up against me with her two front paws, drawing a chuckle from me.
I glance around as I rise to my feet, but when I take a step in the direction of my car, something twists in my gut, and I look at the dog again.
She’s staring at me with the biggest brown eyes I’ve ever seen, making my heart melt on the spot.
“Keep looking at me like that, and I’m going to kidnap you,” I warn the dog as if she can understand me.
I look into the Starbucks through the window and wonder which of the patrons the dog belongs to.
Deciding to pet her until the owner shows up, I crouch down again and let the dog sniff my hand before I scratch a spot behind her ear.
“I should get a dog,” I tell her. I look at her fluffy, long ears and white and brown coat. “What breed are you?”
I begin to feel uncomfortable crouching for so long and rise to my full height again.
When fifteen minutes have passed with no sign of the owner, I begin to feel very annoyed.
Who leaves their dog out in the cold for so long?
And with no water.
A frown settles on my forehead as I glance down at the dog. “I’m seriously considering kidnapping you.”
Compared to shit the other heads of the Cosa Nostra have done, kidnapping a dog ranks low on shitty things to do.
I glance around the area and into the Starbucks, and when it doesn’t look like anyone is in a hurry to get back to the furry animal, I untie her leash and pick her up.
“That’s it. You belong to me now,” I mutter as I walk to where my car is parked.
The fact that no one tries to stop me pisses me off even more.
I press the fob, and when the doors unlock, I open the driver’s side and get into the R8. I place the dog on the passenger seat before I shut the door and start the engine.
I keep glancing at my kidnap victim, but she seems happy where she’s looking out the window with her tail wagging.
Angelo forced Vittoria to marry him, and Renzo kidnapped Skylar.
Me? I steal a dog.
I shake my head at myself as a chuckle escapes me.
My thoughts turn to Eden, which makes my smile grow wider.
I have a date with my elusive dancer.
Fuck, I thought I was hallucinating the woman when I saw her walking on the side of the road. I slammed on the brakes so fast I almost gave myself whiplash.
I don’t stop at the ballet company like I was planning on doing and drive in the direction of my apartment.
“I should probably stop for food before we go home,” I mutter.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I check for nearby pet shops.
“Found one on Maddison Ave,” I say as I glance at the dog, who’s staring at me with her mouth wide open while she pants.
It looks like she’s smiling at me, and once again, my heart melts into a puddle.
When I stop at the store, I scoop the dog into my arms, and after climbing out of the car, I quickly check whether my new pet is male or female.
“I was right.” I grin at her. “You’re a girl.”
She licks my jaw, and I’m overcome with cuteness aggression, almost squashing the furball too hard to my chest.
Walking into the store, I head to the counter and smile at the attendant. “I just got a dog and need the best of everything.”
The attendant gets to work, and after ten minutes, I worry how I’ll get everything home. The R8 doesn’t have a big trunk, and it’s only a two-seater.
I dig my cell phone out and dial Renzo’s number.
“Hey,” he answers the call.
“I need you to come to a pet shop with an SUV,” I tell him.
“A pet store? Why?”
“I kidnapped a dog and need help getting all her things to my apartment.”
“You kidnapped a dog,” he deadpans. “Are you joking or serious.”
“I’m serious.”
“Oh…okay.”
The call ends, and I quickly send the address before I grin at my fur ball.
What am I going to call her?
I stare into her eyes. “How about I call you Bellissima?”
She rubs her head against my shoulder while her body wiggles in my hold.
“You like that, right?” Again, she wiggles, and I squish her to my chest. “Fuck, I’m going to crush you if you keep being so cute.”