I smile brilliantly. “Yes, sir, if you’ll have me.”
“Would you mind if I speak to my grandson alone?”
I lift my brows. “Not at all. I’ll give you some privacy. It was wonderful to see you again, Mr. Ainsworth.” I give Kane a kiss on the cheek and leave the office, not shutting the door completely, thankful there aren’t any guards out here.
“Son, what are you thinking?”
“She wants to make sure he dies. She’s frightened, Grandfather. Says both the mafia and the bratva have been following her since he disappeared.”
“And you’re sure they haven’t followed her here?”
Kane scoffs. “Please. I’m not stupid. I went to the soiree. The only Italians I saw were either staff or—” he mumbles something else I can't decipher, and I panic a bit. But then, “Besides…shesavedme.If she truly hated me, she could have left me there to asphyxiate.”
I roll my eyes so hard I'm pretty sure I see my grey matter as he continues to tell his grandfather all about my heroic act. I want to throw a tantrum like a toddler and throw myself on the ground. Why did I have to do that?Your husband, you idiot. I roll my eyes at myself. While they exchange a few more muffled words, I back away from the door and lean against the wall, waiting for Kane. When he comes out, he’s grinning. He takes my gloved hand in his and leads me up to the second story, showing me to a room that already has all of the bags containing my new wardrobe sitting on top and around the large four-poster bed—same as the one on the island. Either Beatrice, his mother, had the same interior designer work here, or they truly value antique furniture.
I hear small taps behind me and look over my shoulder to see Kane leaning against the door frame with his arms and legs crossed, knuckle on the frame where he just rapped. He lets his lower lip roll out and gives a quick smile. “I have a few more things to take care of, and then I’ll possibly have a small snooze before dinner. Shall I pass by for you then?”
“Am I not to have a tour here like on the island?”
His smile drops, features harden, and his gaze turns glacial. “No. Our guests are to begin arriving tomorrow afternoon. Grandfather and I need everything to go according to plan, so I’ll be helping him. I’m sure you have enough to do with—” He gestures to the bed. “all of that.”
“Right,” I concur.
“I’ll have someone bring you a bite, and then I’ll get you for dinner.”
“Of course.”
Four Hours Later
I’m simmering with a bit of fury. I’ve finally been able to charge my phone, but there’s no fucking service here, like it’s been blocked off by all the goddamn trees around the goddamn property. Can trees do that? Maverick gave me a tiny little knapsack with what seems to be a device to be able to connect with them. But every time I’ve tried to turn it on and speak to them, nobody answers. Ugh! Why can’t I remember what Maverick said? In my defense, I was particularly distracted by the stupid faux sideburns peeling off, and I was trying not to snort.
I finally give up looking for signals like I'm in a terrible cell phone commercial from the early 2000s right before Kane comes to retrieve me for dinner.
Dinner is quiet and unnerving. There’s a very serious tone throughout, and it’s making me nervous.
Don’t break.
I excuse myself once I’ve swallowed as much as I can of the quail and vegetables, letting them know I’m still tired after what’s transpired this morning. I force myself to kiss Kane and ask him if he’ll be joining me in bed later. I know he’s about to say yes, but he seems to remember we stopped by for lady products earlier and tells me not tonight. He has to get ready for tomorrow.
I take my leave after thanking Mr. Ainsworth for dinner and head up.
An hour later, after I shower, I dress in thick, black wool tights, another black turtleneck, and shove my feet into thick socks. I head to the window and pull my necklace out from between my breasts, where my wedding ring hangs. I fidget with it, dying to feel the weight of it on my finger, watching men go around the property, putting things on the ground.
I gasp when I realize what they are.
I look around the room, trying to see if I can find a trapdoor or something that may lead to a hidden passageway, but find nothing.
I feel hopeless.
I can’t sleep.
I am sixty-eight and a half kilometers away from Parker, and I am quite literally on top of my husband without being on top of my husband. And Ireallywant to be on top of my husband. He really loves to fuck me face-to-face, and I really miss that. I miss his weight on my body, his constant need to have my full attention, and the way his too-large cock fills me. Not to mention the way he loves to tear me apart as Parker watches or joins us. Every time I get a phantom pang in my womb, I’ve resorted to believing my pink parts can sense he’s near.
I head to the window once more and see men beginning to come out of the woods from every direction. But instead of coming inside of the manor, they’re going to what looks like a tool shed. If they’re going there… then that means…
I pad over to the bedroom door and open it very carefully, sticking my head out. Seeing the hallway completely void, I quickly move forward, dashing down the stairs, keeping to the sides by the banister so the boards don’t creak. Once I reach the base, I continue on my path, looking for any rare item that may look out of place.
Exhausted, I find nothing, not letting myself fall into the pit of hopeless despair that’s waiting for me.
