Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“Thanks,” Renata says softly. “It’s been a while since I’ve felt this… powerful.”
Isabella’s expression softens. She lays an absentminded hand on the gentle swell of her belly. “You’ve always been powerful. Capable. Strong. You need to remember not to bow under the weight of adversity. Lean into it. Make its energy your own.”
Renata stares at her friend. “Thank you. I’ll remember that.”
Isabella holds Renata’s gaze for a long moment and finally nods.
“You did well. I’m proud of you.” She turns away and helps Polina with her stance.
I beckon to Renata. “Come here.”
She gives one last look toward Isabella, who turns and nods, dismissing her. They’re moving forward.
When Renata reaches for me, I place a gentle finger under her chin, capturing her gaze with mine. “I allowed that because you two needed to reconnect. But from now on? I’m the one who teaches you self-defense. I wanted you to make your peace, but I’m a jealous man, Renata. I don’t share. What’s mine stays mine, and no one else gets a claim on you.”
Her eyes twinkle mischievously, but she only nods.
“Say goodbye to King Arthur for a bit. We’re going out.”
“Out where?”
I blow out a breath and look around me, half expecting the motherfucker to materialize out of thin air.
“Away from here. I want to test a theory.”
Turning to face her, I pull her closer to me.
“What theory is that?”
“That he’s watching. Waiting. If I can…” I reach for the back of her head and cup her to me. “I’ll draw him out, like a poison that needs to be purged. I won’t stop until he’s eliminated, once and for all.”
My lips meet hers. I remain alert but can feel her sinking into me when I pull her closer to me and tip her head back, one hand at the back of her neck, the other cupping her perfect round ass.
Carlos who?
When we pull away, she’s breathing heavily. I hold her to me protectively with one arm, and with the other, I flip the bird to the wide open air around us. Carlos Carerra can kiss my ass.
“Well then.” She gives me a curious look. “Just in case?”
“Just in case.” I take her hand and lead her to a car that waits, purring, at the curb. “Let’s go, Renata.”
I’ve lived like a nomad for years. Once Carlos is buried, we’ll put down roots and settle down with King Arthur, preferably in a place that has a farmers’ market and a change of seasons. I don’t really care where, as long as she’s with me.
I want to give her everything she needs, and it begins right here. Right now. We’re putting everything behind us and forging on.
She goes with me without protest.
Maybe it’s because she finally worked things out with Bella. Or perhaps she feels what I do, that whisper of promise and a hope of good things to come.
I feel lighter than I have in years. Hopeful. Renata is mine, and the world is our oyster.
If only… if only it could last.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Renata
I sit next to Ollie. He’s driving and has been in silence for over an hour. There’s no denying he’s the quiet sort and only talks when he feels he needs to.
Right now, he doesn’t need to. It’s not the brooding silence my father would lapse into once in a while, the type designed to make you feel guilty like you did something wrong and afraid of what he’d do next.
No. Ollie is as different from my father as humanly possible. His silence isn’t oppressive like my father’s was. It’s steady, commanding, as if he holds all the power in those unsaid words. It’s quiet authority, making his silence feel powerful instead of passive aggressive.
He’s as different from everyone as he could be.
I’m learning to lean into the quiet and silence and to appreciate when he does talk. He only speaks when he has something to say.
“Where are we now?” I ask, a little confused with the readings on GPS. Ollie said it’s unreliable here.
“We’re in the upper part of New York State,” he says quietly. “There’s no sign that anyone’s followed us. Aleks reports the drone carrying your tracker is having an excellent honeymoon in Puerto Rico.” I stifle a snort. The ruse will be short-lived, and when Carlos finds out we deceived him, he’ll lose his fucking mind. But I’m enjoying this while it lasts.
“He could be gone,” I say quietly. “He could still be tracking the drone.”
Ollie sobers, his eyes on the road ahead of us. “Is that what you think?”
I look out the window. I swallow hard and respond cryptically. “If Carlos is still alive, which you maintain he is… I don’t think he’s caught on yet. I think Carlos is waiting, like a predator, waiting for the perfect moment. Waiting until the time is right before he strikes—” I swallow, nod, and continue. “Yeah. That sounds more his speed.” I lick my lips. “I mean, if he were here…”