Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 103124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103124 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
“What’s going on?”
“You must get your things, and you must hurry.”
“But I’m not leaving until tomorrow. Why are all these suitcases sitting here?”
“Oh, cara mia, there is no time for questions.”
Two of my father’s bodyguards walk through the front door. They look serious and somber as they disappear into the study without a word.
“Will someone please tell me what’s going on?”
My father appears in the doorway to his study. “Bella, come here.”
“What is happening, Papa? Why are all these people here?”
“We need to leave for America right away. There is a plane waiting for us.”
“We’re leaving now? Why, what happened?”
My father looks grim. “There has been… an accident.”
“What kind of accident? Was anyone hurt?”
“Marianne De Kysa.”
I remember Alberto’s words to Nico. Your mother needs you.
“Is she okay?”
“No, cara mia, she isn’t.” His throat works as he swallows. “She died.”
I gasp, and my hand flies to my mouth. “How?”
“She accidentally shot herself.”
Another gasp. Nico.
“I need to see Nico,” I say, turning toward the door, but my father’s voice stops me.
“I can’t allow you to do that.”
I turn back to him. “What are you talking about? They are our friends. Nico is my best friend. I have to see him.”
“I said no, Bella. You will not see that boy again. Do you understand?”
“That boy?” I stare at my father, taken aback by his words. “That boy means everything to me, and he’s just lost his mama. He needs me.”
“No, he needs his family. And you need to finish packing your things. Our plane leaves the tarmac in forty minutes.”
“How can we leave? They’re our friends, Papa. They were there for us when Mama and the boys died. We need to be there for them.”
Six months ago, a car bomb meant for my father stole the lives of my beautiful Mama and older brothers. It was sheer chance that I was still inside the house trying to find my shoes when my mother started the car.
“Things have changed since then.”
“No, we have to help them. It’s what friends—”
“I said go to your room and gather your belongings!” my father roars, his face red and his body rigid.
My father is terrifying when he’s upset, so I immediately close my mouth.
I stare at him, confused why tomorrow wasn’t soon enough for us to leave.
Finally, I nod and leave the study. My father watches me as I walk slowly toward the stairs, but the moment he turns away, I run for the front door and flee into the darkness. I speed past the cars lining the driveway and through the trees bordering our estate with the De Kysa mansion. I run until my lungs burn and my muscles ache, but there is no time to waste. My father will realize I’m gone within minutes, and he’ll know where I am going. He’ll send Alberto to get me, and then they’ll send me to America, and I’ll never see Nico again.
The De Kysa’s driveway is lit up with the red and blue lights from the police cars. And there is an ambulance parked by the front door.
I don’t pause or stop to think. All I know is that Nico needs me.
He might not be close to his mama, but this will hurt him deeply.
Out of breath and with my feet killing me, I run up the front steps and through the front door, where I slam into the chest of one of the De Kysa bodyguards.
He tries to stop me, but I fight him.
“It’s okay,” Nico says, appearing behind him. His face drawn. His beautiful brown eyes wet with tears.
The bodyguard leaves, and I fall into Nico’s arms. “I heard about your mama, Nico. I’m so sorry.”
He holds me at arm’s length. “You shouldn’t be here, Bella.”
“Are you crazy? Of course I should be. Your mama…”
His jaw tightens, and he looks away. Tears well in his eyes. But so does something else. Something I’ve never seen there before. Hate.
“She’s dead.” His tone has an edge to it. “She killed herself.”
I take a step back. “Killed herself?” I whisper. “My father said it was an accident.”
He turns his face back to look at me. “Well, your father was wrong.”
Again, his voice is sharp and hard, like a wild rage simmering beneath the surface. I reach for him, knowing he’s hurting.
“I’m so sorry. What can I do?”
He pulls away. “Go home, Bella.”
Even though I try not to, I feel the sting of his rejection. But he’s just lost his mama, and I know how heartbreaking it feels when your world is so suddenly rocked. Sometimes you lash out or want distance from the ones you love.
And because I don’t know what else to do, I tell him the terrible news.
“We’re leaving,” I say.
Only then does he seem to come back to the present. His brows snap together. A sudden alarm shines in his dark eyes.