Page 23 of Entangled
“Romance books are my favorite.”
He was turned almost entirely away from me, but I could still see the look of deep contemplation on his face. He gave a simple nod before turning and walking back out the double doors, closing them behind him. He didn’t even give me the chance to thank him, even if I could get the words out.
I may be a hostage here, but I still was being treated better than anything my husband had ever done for me. The man who was supposed to love me. Who I was supposed to cherish life with.
Jude was anything but my definition of what a husband should truly be.
“The coffee fairy has arrived!”
A voice echoed through the house, sending a bit of panic through my chest.
Who on God’s green Earth was yelling so loudly at eight in the morning?
After I processed the fact that the voice was feminine, and the fact that she had mentioned coffee, I began to feel more relaxed.
Jude had ruined all the remaining faith I had in the male species, what little there was left after growing up surrounded by Mafia men.
Or men in general if I was being honest with myself.
I hopped out of bed and decided I gave no fucks about whoever this woman may be and her judgement of my t-shirt and pajama pants, and tiptoed towards the stairs.
“Contrary to what my brother-in-law may say, I don’t bite,” the voice said with a teasing tone from her spot at the bottom of the stairs.
I finally looked over the ledge and saw a girl about my height with light brown hair trailing down her back, and even from here I could see her dark brown eyes had a playful tone to them.
She looked to be the nicest person I’d seen in a long time, and something told me that I could trust her and she had no ill intentions.
Plus, she was holding cups of coffee and a takeout bag in her hand, and anyone who offers me free food is a friend of mine.
“Well hello beautiful,” she greeted as I walked down the stairs towards her. “I’m Vanessa, and you must be Soren.”
“I suppose I am,” I replied, and took the coffee from her outstretched hand. I wasn’t used to friendly gestures from other human beings, but I could get used to this.
I could especially get used to whatever hot cinnamon flavored latte Vanessa had just placed into my hand.
“I think I’m in love with you already,” I joked after taking numerous sips of my drink.
Her warm laugh filled the room and I couldn’t help but join her. She had a personality that was kind, and her happiness radiated off of her in waves. It was a surprising change of pace for me, and I knew if she was here in Kade’s house she had a deep connection to the Mafia.
My sparkle had been dulled after all of these years, but her’s was still here and shining brightly. It made me jealous in a way, because I had felt like happiness was unattainable to me for so long, but she made me feel like it was possible again just by being her friend.
“I hope I’m not being rude, but who are you?” I asked as we made our way to the kitchen island and took a seat at the barstools.
“I’m Vanessa, Kade’s brother Sawyer’s wife,” she explained, setting the brown paper bag in front of me and gesturing for me to help myself.
“Well Vanessa, it’s great to meet you,” I said back, and gave her the most genuine smile I’d had in a while.
“I think you and I are going to get along just fine,” she said with a smile, and as soon as I opened up the bag and saw a double chocolate chip muffin, I knew she was right.
After Vanessa left,I made my way with my coffee into the library and camped out in my usual spot.
Ever since Kade had shown me his family’s library, when I wasn’t sleeping, that’s where I spent every waking moment. I was constantly jumping between worlds, reading up on classic romance tales and numerous fantasy novels. There were books from what felt like every era, even newer books as well. I was honestly impressed with the selection he had. I looked at books so old they were in elaborate display cases, and with one touch you could tell they’d turn to dust.
There were several books like that, but overall no matter the age, the books were taken care of and preserved. I could easily tell which books were favorites among the family just by the love of wear in the pages.
It was the library of my dreams, and if I got to sit here every day and read until the end of my days, I wouldn’t complain.
If only that were to be my fate.
