Page 66 of The Strength Of A Woman

As long as it’s not him, Callum, I don’t care.

All I want is my freedom and him in this order. I can live without him, but not without my freedom.

I can also lose my freedom to him if he is the man I think he is. I’m willing to make that trade.

Am I ready for a life of crime with him?

Yes.

So maybe I’m like them, after all, the rest of the bunch. I just want different things.

I move closer to the handrail, rest my elbows on the cold metal, and stare at the water.

These next two weeks will determine the rest of my life. They give me the chance to turn into the strong woman Callum wants.

They are a crossroads in my life, a huge opportunity for me to change things for myself that I won’t let go to waste.

With that, I glance at his balcony one more time, notice that the lights have been dimmed, realize that he’s probably still downstairs, and decide to go back and make the most of my first night in his house.

An hour later, I walk out of the bathroom, smelling like wildflowers with my hair damp and my body warm inside a plush bathrobe.

I eat my food, drink water, brush my teeth, and go to sleep.

Before long, I sleep like a baby, imagining that I have his arms around me, which to me is the best feeling ever.

CALLUM

The followingday

“Has she woken up?”I ask, noticing that Cosimo is walking past the open door.

He turns around and enters the room.

“Not yet.”

“Good,” I say, rising from my seat and sliding my suit jacket on. “They must be aware by now she’s no longer in their house, so let’s get going. Half of the men stay here with her.”

He nods.

“They’re all set. The cars are ready.”

Moments later, we make the trip to the Gallos’ property.

Although they may be aware she’s missing, they may not know whom to turn to and ask about her whereabouts.

That’s the perfect moment for me to step in.

I have their precious granddaughter.Their little treasure. The woman Stefano Varela so much wants to marry after killing her mother.

There is no doubt in my mind that he put a hit on her.

Bianca would’ve never agreed to marry him. Besides, he was still married when I married her.

Leilani isn’t necessarily easier to handle, but she’s younger and more susceptible to harm. And there’s no recourse for her.

The way the males in that house treated her only attested to how vulnerable she’d been in their eyes.

It pains me to admit that they were right. If her own family didn’t want to protect her, who should have?