Page 110 of Salvatore

“I won’t. I promise.” I remain out of view of the cameras, my chest aching with the need to scramble into the surveillance zone to reassure her.

I get that this is her equivalent to prison visitation day. It’s a big deal. And my knowledge of her captivity is ruining her buzz.

“I won’t say a word.” I inch closer to the end of the passage. “I’m good at keeping secrets.”

She nods, her acceptance almost convincing. “I trust you.” She bends to pick up her wool. “I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me.”

No. Never.

She’s become a staple in my life.

“You should go and get ready for him.” Her lips tilt in a conniving curve. “I’m sure you will be his priority once he arrives. Not me.”

My face heats.God, I never should’ve implied we were romantically involved. “There’s honestly nothing going on between us.”

She takes the information with a raised brow. “But you’ve slept together, no?”

Jesus. She doesn’t hold her punches.

I place a hand to my belly, trying to settle the awkward clench of my gut.

Her attention follows my splayed fingers, her gaze narrowing.

Shit. I understand that look. The assumption.

She clears her throat abruptly while I quickly drop my hand to my side. “Be careful when you come back to visit me tonight.” She sits on her cot, the mattress springs squeaking in protest. “Make sure Salvatore is asleep.”

I nod and pick at a loose thread on my long-sleeved blouse, wishing I could sarcasm my way out of this, but poking fun at how much I don’t want to be caught dead with her son ever again doesn’t seem like an appropriate way to dig myself out of the weirdness.

“Now go,” she demands. “Get pretty for my son. And keep this secret between us for now.”

I sigh and do as she asks…at least the leaving part.

I don’t make any attempt to improve my appearance for Salvatore. The light dusting of makeup and combed hair is more for armament. A protective shield of confidence.

I’m in the middle of applying a light hint of lip gloss in my private bathroom when my cell vibrates from my bedside table. I work my lips together, spreading out the gloss as I enter the bedroom and retrieve my phone.

Liv

I hope you’re prepared for visitors.

I fumble over my fingers in an attempt to quickly type back.

Ivy

What does that mean? Are you coming to see me? Do you know where I am?

Liv

We’re already driving onto the property. Open the front door.

My pulse thuds with excitement as I throw my phone to the bed and sprint into the hall, Lorenzo’s birds shrieking from the backyard.

I’m at the front door in seconds and stepping outside while a black SUV pulls up with my best friend’s smile beaming at me through the open window of the back seat.

I'm about to sprint for her, to drag her from the car and into an unforgiving bear hug I know she’ll hate when my attention strays to the driver and gets caught up in the sinful black hole that is Salvatore Costa.

My internal organs melt, those dark eyes trapping mine to turn my pulse rampant.

---