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"No," I burst out, "I don't want him dead. Don't hurt him please, just... do something to distract him, long enough for me to get away from him."
I squeeze my eyes shut. I do want to escape from Christian. I do. This is the only way.
"I'll take care of him," the man says in a gruff voice, "you make sure that you deliver the information I need."
I clutch the phone with such force that my fingers hurt.
"If you don't come through on your end of the bargain, your family will suffer."
He disconnects the call. I stare at the blank screen for a few seconds more.
"The view is wonderful, isn’t it?"
I scream. The phone slips from my grasp and hits the carpeted floor.
"Hey, you okay?" Cass walks over to me. She bends to pick up the phone at the same time as me, but I reach it first.
I snatch up the phone, then straighten. "Sorry," I laugh, "you scared me."
She looks at me closely. "Are you okay? You seem pale."
"Oh, I’m fine." I wave a hand in the air. "Just, all this excitement around the upcoming wedding, it has me a little on edge."
"It's understandable."
I wrap my arms around myself as I turn back to the window. If she had come in a few seconds earlier she'd have heard me. And then, how would I have explained the conversation I was having? Goddamn it. What have I gotten myself into. I swallow as I stare straight ahead.
"It really is a gorgeous view, isn’t it?" She draws abreast of me.
"It seems cold to me."
"It should be"—she laughs—"it’s only one of the poshest skiing destinations in the world."
"I suppose." I have heard of Cortina as being a playground for the rich and famous, but I admit, I have never felt curious about it.
"You don’t seem very convinced." She chuckles.
"I’m not a snow person." I narrow my gaze against the glare of the sun glinting off of the snow.
"At least, you’re dressed for it." She gestures to the large sweater that I had pulled on.
I blow out a breath. "He bought it for me."
"Who, Christian?" Cassandra’s gaze widens.
Christian had not only arranged to have my packed clothes delivered, but he also ensured that I had a brand-new winter wardrobe to go with it.
"I wish I didn’t have to accept his favors." I had half a mind to return the winter clothes to him, but then I saw the snow and realized that would have been a mistake. I mean, I am stubborn, but not so stupid that I want to be exposed to the elements when I go out there. And while I’m going to put off any adventures in the cold, I have no doubt, at some point, I’ll have to venture out.
"So, what’s the plan for the next few days, you think?" I turn to Cassandra. "Has Nonna mentioned anything to you yet?"
She purses her lips. "I’m not supposed to say anything."
"Oh, so you know what she has in mind?"
"Other than the meals, which she is very clear that we have to eat together, well…" Cass hesitates. "I really am not allowed to share the program for the next few days."
I scowl. "Aww, come on, Cass," I wheedle, "you can tell me."
