Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 144979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
He shifts in his seat and shrugs. “She’s a very beautiful woman. I won’t complain about being paid to stare at her all day.”
Nicky arches a brow at me in question, wondering where I’m going with this. He knows me well enough to understand this isn’t leading to the Kumbaya Tony thinks it is.
Abella bends down to adjust her heel, and Tony can’t peel his eyes away from her. Heat licks along my spine, and my voice drops an octave at my next question.
“Tits or ass. Which would you go for first?”
Tony pretends to consider the question, as if he hasn’t thought about this every night when he’s jerking himself off. I’m not sure what’s more pathetic, his panting like a dog or the micro-boner in his pants.
“With a pair of tits like those, it’s no question.” He licks his lips. “I can’t tell if they’re all natural.”
“I can assure you they are.” My eyes blaze as I slide the brass knuckles in my pocket over my fingers.
He turns to look at me, his eyes flaring a split second before I throat punch him and knock him off his seat. His body hits the floor with a thud, and he wheezes as he tries to suck in a breath—an effort I squash when I kneel on his neck.
Nicky rises from his seat, keeping an eye on the crowd as Tony claws at my leg, his limbs flopping around like a fish out of water. Unsurprisingly, he doesn’t put up much of a fight, and as the light drains from his eyes, I lean down to whisper in his ear.
“In the next life, learn when to shut the fuck up.”
Tony falls limp beneath me, and I smash his face in, cursing him in Italian.
“I think you got him, boss,” Nicky says. “What do you want me to do with this one?”
I rise and crack my neck before I scan the crowd. “Any wayward eyes?”
Nicky shakes his head.
“Good.” I smooth out my suit. “Put him in the backseat of Abella’s car.”
7
ABELLA
Natalia escorts me through the parking garage to my waiting car while the men walk behind us, conversing amongst themselves. Though the IVI compound has an abundance of guards bustling about, mine seems to be noticeably absent. It’s odd, considering the man has been breathing down my neck every chance he gets.
Natalia seems to sense my unease, and she frowns when my driver gets out. Ugo always wears a grim expression on his face, but today he seems especially tense. He’s an older man, and though he’s not much for conversation, I’ve always liked him.
Today seemed to be quite the shock for you, Natalia signs. I didn’t realize you and Angelo knew each other. Although I suppose it makes sense.
I glance over her shoulder to find Angelo’s dark gaze on mine, and a spark of electricity shoots through me. I’m not sure how it’s possible to feel a man’s stare in such a visceral way, but heat claws at my insides as if he’s willing me to burn beneath those dark flames. For a second, I find myself comparing his stature to the man in the skull mask.
The similarities are there, though I’m not sure whether they’re real or imagined. Reluctant to end six long years of sobriety, I break eye contact and turn my attention back to Natalia. How long have you known him?
She thinks about it for a moment. It must be close to a year and a half. I first met him when I started working for Alessio.
Her response catches me off guard and triggers a cascade of unwanted emotions. Angelo’s been free that entire time…and I had no idea.
That realization is another rejection I don’t want to acknowledge. How many times did I try to visit him in prison, only to be escorted out by the guards? How many letters did I write that he refused? He stonewalled his entire family, and I can’t wrap my head around the idea that he’s been casually spending time with Alessio and Natalia while everyone else worried about him.
I wasn’t aware he’s been out that long, I admit, not sure what else to say.
Natalia searches my eyes. She has questions, but now isn’t the time to ask them. Alessio may be the only one present who can understand ASL, but that doesn’t mean anything amongst our circle. There are cameras in this parking garage, and anyone who really wanted to know what we’re discussing could easily get that footage and have it transcribed.
I don’t know all the details, Natalia explains. It’s been kept quiet, much like his mystery engagement.
My stomach drops at that remark.
“Engagement?” I whisper the word under my breath, as if I somehow misunderstood her.
Natalia nods. He’s getting married soon, which is strange, considering I haven’t even met the bride. But Alessio tells me she’s the perfect match for him.