“What’s happened?” He frowns.
“Your mother offered Seraphina Locke enty million dollars to leave me –
“I did not,” she lies Toffered her a nondisclosure embract, there’s a big difference.”
Alessio’s eyes widen. You’re with Seraphink Locke now?”
“No, he’s not. He’s having a meal breakdown, that’s what he’s doing,” Mother snaps, infuriated. “He’s going to patch things up with Arims, that’s it she will even take him back.”
“Get out.” I whisper as a thermurlar atomic bomb cones langermely close to blowing up.
Twill not stand by and watch youruin your life” she spits.
“Good. You’re not invited to, anyway!
What i
the hell is that s
I supposed to mean?” the cales,
It means that I want nothing to do with you” I point to the door. “Get out!”
“You fool” she fires back. “Ymire ruining everything you worked so hard for
“Tm warning you. If you dare go near Seraphina or my children again there will be fucking hell to pay, do you hear me?”
“You do not get to speak to me like this.” She picks up her handbag in a huff and marches from my office and slams the door behind her, the office falls
Alessio begins to pace in a panic. “That was way too much
Adrenaline is surging through my bloodstream, and I’m positive that the whole building just heard that exchange.
So much for keeping it together and being calm.
Fuck
My phone rings on my desk the name has lights up the screen.
What now?
“Yes,“I map as answer it.
Hello Umm Mr. Ferrara.”
“What is it?”
“I just called to let you know that Seraphana is having lunch with a man,” he says nervously. “He met her at her work and he had his arm around her as they walked into the restaurant.“
What?
Who is in growl.
“Thelieve it’s the man that you told me to watch, Jack Spalding”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention as a fury like never before runs through my blood. “Go inside and sit at the table next to them.”
“Inside the restauram?
I begin to hear my heartbeat in my ears.
“Do not leave them alone for one fucking second.”
17.10
ENDING THE LAST BETRAYAL LOOP: Faked My Death and Found REAL FREEDOM
Chaprer s
“You look an beatiful today, do you knew that?” Jack smiles over the table. “I love you anking
You said that already “I give him a lopoided smile. “Thank you, though
jack is the ulöst man I know, and, damn it, I really want to like him. He’s fair haired, blue eyed and hestama, be’s athletic and fi any woman would wait, que the catch trally. We’ve been friends for years and recently started to go torreially know be branik way, I mean, he doesitt hide à
Ikrep waiting for the ring to hit me, for something to happen that will magically make me see him in a different light.
So far, such luck.
Chase is get my body to catch up with my head. I’m pushing through this motif the
But I’m not a quitter, I know he would be a great partner, I just h Mtraction comes and surely it has to soon, this is mir fifth date
What are you having?” I ask as I open the meim.
“Hmm.” He looks over the choices. Til have whatever you’re loving”
I glance up. “You don’t want to choose your
I’m happy to do whatever you do.” He smiles dreamily over me as he leans on his hand.
Ugh don1.
“Okay. I’m having a salad.” Islam the mea shut. “And a glass of wine.” “Sounds good.”
We fall into an awkward silence, I’m silent and he’s awkward, but honestly who the hell knows anymore, I’ve lost all sphere of reference as to how T supposed to feel on a date anymore.
I look out over the people in the restaurant that are all chatting and laughing, excited to be seeing each other. I feel an overwhelming sense of failure.
What the bell is wrong with me?
For once, can’t I just want someone who is good for me? It’s not all about butterflies and chemistry, and damn it, where the waitress?
“I planted some beans today.” Jack smiles. “You’re going to love them when they’re ready for picking, it’s a real thrill to get your hands dirty in the
I smile over at dear old Jack, so sweet and kind although utterly clorless about the kind of thrill I’m looking for. “Do you grow all your own vegetables?” ask
“Every last one, you can come garden with me on the weekend if you want? I’ll show you how to weed properly.”
Dear god.
“Tim pretty swamped this weekend, thanks anyway.” I force a smile as I look around the restaurant. Where is the freaking waitress?
Gabriel arrives on Thursday and we’re telling the kids, Nerves swirl in my stomach at just the thought.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
I glance up from my daydream. Theg your pardon?”
What are you doing this weekend?”
have an old friend visiting
“O great. I’d love to meet them.”
Gabriel would eat you alive and pick bis togth with your bones.
“Sure “fake a smile. “I’ll let you know.
From the corner of my eye, I see the clock tick over. 2:19am
Chapter 65
I thought my sleepless nights of worrying about Gabriel Ferrara were long ovien
And yet, here I am
Lying in the dark, staring at the ceiling like a zombie, hovering somewhere between heaven and bell.
