AllFreeNovel
Share Us
While the location of the small business surprised me somewhat, I’d already learned there was much more to my lovely bride than I’d originally believed. However, she would need to understand that her behavior had not only placed her life in jeopardy but possibly that of my family as well. Our enemies would use any method of getting to us possible. And Maria’s actions could be far too tempting to ignore.
As I stood outside the small shop, Kane continued to grumble behind me. He’d driven around the block three times to ensure no one had dared follow us. I appreciated his caution but with each passing minute, the wasted time could bring additional difficulties.
“Stay here, Kane. I won’t be long but it’s possible Maria won’t want to come willingly.”
“Maybe we should have brought a knockout drug with us.”
I turned my head slowly, doing nothing but exhaling. He rolled his eyes.
“Sorry, boss. Just stating the obvious.”
“You and I will need to talk about respect after my wife is secure. Until then, do as you’re told.” I had no idea why he was determined to annoy the fuck out of me now, other than he’d taken an immediate distrust to Maria because of her father and his ruthless activities. While I couldn’t blame him for being leery of Giovanni, treating my wife with any level of disrespect was unacceptable.
I walked in before I said or did something that would terminate our friendship. I’d never argued with him over a woman. The truth was that I’d never brought a single date to my ranch before. I’d simply never allowed myself to get close to anyone. Not because I’d been worried about the woman’s safety but because my home and privacy were both sacred to me.
I stood inside the crowded, small venue, scanning the perimeter very slowly. It was almost impossible to see every table in the facility given the number of people crammed inside. The place was also loud, so much so if Maria was here to think things through, I couldn’t imagine how she’d be able to do so.
After milling through the groups of happy-go-lucky people, I was about to give up on my quest when I noticed a lone figure sitting alone at the table closest to the corridor leading to offices and/or restroom. A twinge of both anger and need furrowed into my system the moment I recognized her.
There was also a sense of relief, something else I hadn’t expected.
I stared at her from afar, trying to curtail the fury I felt, instead figuring out how I could best allow her to understand what we were now both facing.
I moved closer but she was so lost in thought she either didn’t notice my approach or didn’t care. Maybe she didn’t understand that no matter where she went, I would find her. Only when I sat down did she finally lift her head, the look of shock on her face followed by a closing off of her emotions.
But not before I saw a single tear slipping past her lashes.
She quickly wiped it away, every muscle in her body tensing. An intense vacuum surrounded our meeting, the wild and uncontrollable electricity shifting from one to the other managing to briefly block out all other noise.
Except for the rapid hammering of her heart.
Or was it mine?
I said nothing, simply taking a few seconds to ensure she hadn’t been hurt before taking in the atmosphere in the quaint shop. The scent of various coffees was almost overpowering, but I could certainly see why the place was obviously a fan favorite. The old brick walls had been left intact, adding to a jazzy vibe, especially given the blue neon signs on two walls highlighting what libation the place served.
“What are you doing here?” Maria asked, the strangling sound of her voice indicating how nervous she was.
“Searching for my wife, a woman who left my house without permission and without protection. Both are unacceptable.” I wasn’t certain at first if my words had been drowned out by the intense music blaring through unseen speakers until a flash of anger swept through her shimmering eyes.
“Damn you.”
“I’m already damned, Maria. Aren’t you going to ask me how I found you?”
“I’m certain you have your ways. Bad men always do.”
“Because I have enemies, Maria. You might have been kept a little princess in your former life but that won’t help you here. The brutality enjoyed by monsters never takes a day off and doesn’t care if you’re considered innocent in the ways of truly bad men.” There was a haunted look in her eyes but that wasn’t about me. I couldn’t help but wonder what my little bride was hiding from me.
“Is that a threat?” she asked, although I sensed her defiance was short lived by the nervous tic on the corner of her mouth.
“No, baby. I’m not the kind of man to make threats to a woman, and I’m not the bastard who’s determined to make your life a living hell.”
“That’s not true.”
“Isn’t it? Now, why did you leave?”
“Because I needed time alone. I knew you wouldn’t allow me to have that.” She acted as if she was going to toss the rest of her coffee in my face but put on the brakes. Maybe because she knew exactly what I’d do.
I sat back, studying her as she bit her lower lip, fear settling in her gaze where discord had been before. Only she wasn’t terrified of what could happen should anyone else have found her. She was petrified of what I’d do here and now. I leaned forward very slowly, steepling my hands on my knees.
