Out of the Dark Read Online Free PDF

covers and enter my guest bathroom. The counter is filled with toiletries in small, delicate glass bottles with Italian labels. I open each one, relishing the sweet, decadent fragrances, and replace them with reverence before I enjoy a warm and refreshing shower.
    Afterward, I wrap myself in a lush towel and open the window in my bedroom to find the summer day is already warm. I waver over what to wear and finally decide on a white cotton skirt, sandals, and a blue blouse.
    When I get downstairs, I find the door to Stefan’s office open and hear him on the phone.
    Rocco is sitting in the living room with his back to me, hunched over, his attention fixed on some documents. His doesn’t notice my presence.
    I eavesdrop on Stefan from the bottom of the stairs, his commanding voice once again sending heat through my body.
    “I don’t want to have to be presented with this again. Do you understand? If this continues, it will not end peacefully. You know my position. The next time I hear from you, I expect this to have been dealt with.”
    I recall the scars Stefan bears on his hands, and his gun collection, and would hate to be the person on the other end of that line. His voice is almost frightening. Stefan seems to be a fierce business owner, but he’s been nothing but kind to me. I have to admit, I’m attracted to the dangerous element he presents. I like hearing him speak that way, and I want to hear more.
    “ Buongiorno , Miss Carina.”
    I jump, startled by Bianca’s greeting. She’s dressed as she was yesterday. However, I notice faint red marks on her knees.
    She must have been busy cleaning house .
    Rocco turns at the sound of her voice, and a smile crosses his lips.
    “Mr. Savano has asked me to show you to the breakfast table,” Bianca says.
    “I was wondering if I could meet the chef. Would that be all right?”
    She narrows her eyes, but she concedes. “Yes. Of course.”
    She’s speedy, and when we arrive at the kitchen door, she motions for me to enter. “Fabrizio, this is Miss Carina, Mr. Savano’s guest. She would like to meet you.”
    Fabrizio looks nothing like I expected. His white chef’s apron is tied around his waist and extends to his feet, but he’s wearing a black T-shirt and jeans. His hair and his eyes are a warm brown. He’s handsome and almost as large as Rocco.
    “ Buongiorno !” He greets me with a smile, a nod, and a cleaver in his hand.
    His voice sounds familiar, but before I can place it, his gaze shifts to Bianca and the look on his face reminds me of the way Stefan looks at me. I almost chalk it up to the rumored passion Italian men are famous for, but it’s obvious he’s interested in Bianca.
    She doesn’t make eye contact with him, but the blush on her face is familiar as well.
    I feel like I’m caught in the middle of something, and not wanting to make this anymore uncomfortable, I keep my conversation with Fabrizio brief. “I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the meal last night.”
    His gaze still rests on Bianca. “It is my pleasure to cook for you,” he says in a very thick, Italian accent. He nods once again before returning his attention to the meat.
    It’s not my place to ask Bianca about the obvious tension between them, so I follow her through the glass doors onto the veranda. “Fabrizio seems very nice.”
    She stops beside the table and clears her throat.
    For the first time, I notice she’s wearing a wedding ring.
    “Fabrizio is very passionate about what he does.” She glares at me and confirms my suspicion. She’s telling me in no uncertain terms to stay away from Fabrizio. “So is Mr. Savano,” she says as she walks away.
    I sit and contemplate the exchange. I feel a little unnerved, but I’m convinced Bianca holds no malice toward me.
    The spread on the table before me distracts me from my thoughts. It’s been set with fresh fruit, biscotti, cappuccino, juice, and jam. I can tell by the scent that the biscotti are fresh