Out of the Dark by April Emerson Read Free Book Online

be on a plane tonight.” He snaps the phone shut and sits up, buttoning his pants and readjusting his clothing.
    “You’re leaving?” I feel like crying, and I cover my face with my hands, so embarrassed, hurt and frustrated.
    He takes my wrists and pulls me up next to him, cupping my chin and forcing me to look at him. “There’s an . . . emergency. I want nothing more than to stay here with you. I’m so sorry. My business is very demanding, Carina. I’m surprised we were able to have this much time before we were interrupted.”
    So this is it. This is goodbye. I’ll get dropped off like a sack of potatoes at some hotel. He’ll hop a plane, and I’ll never see him again .
    I can’t speak. I just nod.
    “I may have to be gone for a few days, but I was thinking you could spend some time with Bianca while I’m gone. You seem to enjoy each other’s company. Maybe you two could go shopping? Sightseeing?”
    “You want me to stay?”
    He looks hurt. “Of course I do. Did you think I wanted you to go?”
    I nod.
    “You should know by now, goodbye is not a word I want to say to you. Will you stay? Everything I have will be at your disposal.”
    A kiss is my answer. Of course I’ll wait for him. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
    My flight back to America is in a week. I hope his trip will be brief and he’ll return before then.
    We rush back to the estate, and Stefan asks Bianca to look after me and to make sure my wishes are met.
    Before I know it, we’re saying goodbye, and I feel a twinge of emptiness in my chest when he leaves, like I’ve lost something important.
    Overwhelmed, I make my way to the kitchen to find Bianca and Fabrizio talking and enjoying the picnic food that had been meant for Stefan and me.
    I feel out of place, but Fabrizio stands when he sees me. “Please, Miss Carina, sit down and enjoy with us. Mangia .”
    Bianca smiles and nods.
    They’re conspicuously quiet, and I feel as though I interrupted something. I pick up an olive and begin to nibble around the pit.
    “So, Miss Carina, how would you like to go shopping tomorrow? A little Gucci? Prada? Dolce and Gabbana?” Bianca asks with a smile.
    It sounds wonderful, but I don’t have the funds to indulge in such extravagance. “I don’t think I can afford any of that.”
    “Well, it’s a good thing Mr. Savano is buying.” She winks and passes his credit card to me.
    “Oh, no. I can’t.” I shake my head in protest.
    Bianca grabs my hand and forces the card into my palm. “Miss Carina, Mr. Savano would not be happy if you refused him.” Her smile is gone.
    Not wanting to display poor manners or show any kind of disrespect, I close my hand around the card and heed Bianca’s words. I wouldn’t want to offend anyone, especially not the man who has shown me such hospitality and kindness.
    I shower before bed and don’t bother to dry my hair. I miss Stefan already. I was so close to being with him today and having my plans thwarted has me feeling very blue, and unsatisfied. I toss and turn in the cool sheets. Unlike most nights here, I’m unable to sleep. I borrowed a novel from Stefan’s library earlier, so I begin to read. I get lost in the story and an hour passes.
    I stare up at the ceiling. Moonlight pours in from the open window. The night breeze blows the sheer curtain to and fro. Then, I hear something.
    “Not on the balcony. She will hear us.” Bianca’s voice comes in through my window.
    “She won’t hear. She sleeps like the dead.” It’s a man’s voice.
    It’s not Fabrizio. It’s Rocco.
    His voice must be the voice I’ve been hearing each night in my sleep.
    “Please, baby. Please not out here,” she begs him.
    I find myself straining to hear and move closer to the window. I shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but I can’t resist. I feel a bit confused. I was sure Bianca was involved with Fabrizio, but they must just be friends. She wears a ring, so Rocco must be her husband.
    “If you don’t