More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“I want to help her as much as anyone,” Bern said, “but my job in this family of Care Bears is to provide logical analysis, so humor me.”
“I’m not tracking you,” I told him. Technically, it wasn’t even a lie. “You’re having me tracked. I understand that I’m irresistible. It’s a cross I bear. But do try to have some self-control, Catalina. I’m embarrassed for you.”
“God, you are an asshole.” It just kind of came out. Alessandro drew back. “Such a dirty mouth. Oh, the possibilities.” “You have no possibilities with my mouth! Nobody has any possibilities with my mouth!” I did not just say that.
“I’m still mad at you for ratting me out.” “You looked like death warmed over,” Grandma said. “You may be the Head of House Baylor, but you’re still my granddaughter and I won’t be taking any of your bullshit.”
“I took some pics in Sydney last week, on the beach. With my shirt off. I can send a few to your phone, if you’d like.” How dare . . . “No, I wouldn’t like.” Alessandro raised his eyebrows. “Are you sure? Judging by the condition of my car, you have a lot of pent-up anger.”
“Leaving so soon?” “Things to do.” “What if I asked you to stay? What if I said, ‘Don’t go, Catalina. I’ll be lonely without you.’” If he actually said that and was serious, I might move into this room with him.
Standing like this, with him holding me was the safest I had ever felt in the last three years. Something uncurled in me, happy and warm, and whispered that this was the perfect place for me to be.
I held out my arms. The grizzly leaned over and hugged me to him. I caught a glimpse of Alessandro, halfway to us, a chain saw in his hands. “This is Sergeant Teddy,” I told him, leaning my head against the soft fur. “He won’t hurt me. He’s a pacifist.”
“I don’t know if you know, but Leon is psycho. I heard him talking to himself when shooting people. He used funny voices, Catalina.” “Your brother thinks he’s a werewolf.” “Good point.”
He was looking at me like he was thinking of stealing my towel. And I wanted him to. No. Bad idea. Really, really bad idea. A hint of a smile played at his lips. He looked evil. “What are you thinking right now?” “Nothing.” He tilted his head to the side. “Thinking about wearing nothing?” “Out.”
You have to be on your best behavior. There are weapons everywhere in that compound.” Alessandro smiled. “I mean it, Alessandro. You’re too vain to die.” He reached over and grasped my left hand, his face solemn, his eyes earnest. “Tesoro mio, I’m always on my best behavior.”
“You walked into my life and screwed it all up. I’ve wanted you for so long, and now you show up, and you flirt with me, and you hold me to protect me, and you tell me things like ‘I’ll stay with you as long as it takes,’ and all the while I have to constantly check myself because I’m scared to death that if my control slips, I’ll turn you into a lovesick zombie. I know you’re trapped somehow, and all I want is for you to be happy, Alessandro. Tell me what’s going on, and I swear I’ll do everything I can to help you.
“This did not happen,” I told him. “Oh, it happened. Stopping felt like the hardest fucking thing I had to do in my life. Fighting Benedict now would be a breeze.” “No, it didn’t happen and we’re not talking about this.” “We are going to talk about it. Tonight. My room, your room, wherever we can find some privacy.”
Half of the time I’m with him, he makes me grind my teeth. But I know that if I were in danger, he wouldn’t stop until I was safe. He looks at me like I’m beautiful. And he makes me laugh.” Linus put his hand over his face. “God help us all.”
“Follow me,” Linus ordered. “And cheer up. We’re about to embark on a killing spree accompanied by massive property damage. Try to have fun.”
