Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 57067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 285(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Fuck. It’s happening.
I hurry over to the window, almost hoping there are some motherfuckers out there. At least that’s a straightforward problem I can handle.
“Anything?” she asks.
“No,” I tell her. “The street is quiet.”
I glance over my shoulder. Big mistake. She’s on the couch, knees drawn to her chest, giving me a glimpse of her nakedness beneath the robe.
“I can’t believe we did that,” she murmurs.
“I can.” I groan. “What I can’t believe is that we risked that, risked him hearing, and I want to do it again.”
“Yeah. That’s a trip.” She says nothing for a long time. Then, “Did you mean what you said? About a family… a future?”
“I don’t want to push you too fast,” I snarl. “I’m not a dater, never had a proper relationship.”
She makes a tsk sound. “You expect me to believe you were a virgin before I came along?”
“I wouldn’t insult you by saying that,” I tell her. “We’re both grownups here. We’ve both got pasts. But as for real relationships that mean something to me, a connection that goes beyond trying… trying to feel human, Celine, no, I’ve had nothing.”
“Me neither,” she murmurs. “So–did you mean it?”
“I meant it. But there’s too much between that and now to think about it. And Celine…” I hesitate.
Even without looking at her, I can feel her glaring at me. “Don’t go shy on me now, Grinch.”
“You don’t know how you’ll feel once this is all over. You’ve been through a lot.”
“Please don’t talk down to me,” she snaps.
“We’ve dated hell, not even dated… for a week. If that.” I sigh.
“Are you saying you’re unsure?”
“I’m saying life isn’t a fairytale.”
Though with her, it sometimes feels like it is.
“You’re probably right,” she murmurs. “A few hours after I almost died, now isn’t the time to be making life-changing decisions.”
“Exactly.”
“But for the record, I won’t change my mind.”
Neither will I.
But I don’t say that.
I have to at least pretend I’m trying to be the best friend Julian deserves.
Even if he did betray me.
Somehow, sleeping with his sister twice feels worse than him agreeing to take my life.
CHAPTER 29
CELINE
Iwake on the couch with a thin shaft of dirty light shining across the living room. Sitting up, I forget about yesterday for a second: forget about the gambling center and the fighting, and finally the lovemaking with Damian. All too soon, it all crashes back in, and I’m thrust firmly back into the real world.
I stand, stretching my arms over my head. At least the house isn’t under attack. That’s something small I can be grateful for.
Julian and Damian are in the kitchen, talking animatedly. They stop when I enter. Julian stands on one side of the counter and Damian on the other. Damian looks down at the floor when he sees me.
For a second, I’m stung, then I see the pulsing of his jaw. He doesn’t want to look at me too long because he might lose control again. Last night was the best sex I’ve ever had, hands down, no competition. When I was riding him, I felt powerful, not some scared girl stuck in a room with a psycho. It’s like the simple act of making love shattered and then remade my world.
In the cold light of day, everything rushes back in.
Julian frowns as though reading my thoughts.
“What were you two arguing about?” I ask, praying it’s not me.
Damian leans against the counter, the corded muscles in his arms bulging.
“Julian has been contacted,” he says.
“One of my buddies in the Family. Mario.”
“Mario?” I ask, with a faint smile.
Julian rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling. “Yes, Mario. And before you ask, no, he doesn’t have a brother named Luigi.”
We all laugh, and for a few precious moments, the world almost seems normal.
“Well, what did Mario say?” I ask.
“The fight at the addiction center has broken the news about what half the Family has been doing. The other half isn’t too happy about it—”
“According to Mario,” Damian grunts.
Julian flashes a look at him. “Yeah, according to Mario. Apparently, there’s an auction tonight at an underground nightclub in the city. There are going to be…” Julian curls his lips. “Women, girls there for sale. Mario has offered to help us infiltrate the meeting.” Julian looks at Damian. “He mentioned you too. He said that the Don lost a lot of favor sending men after you.”
“Not men,” Damian grunts. “Not just men, Julian.”
Julian nods, taking it. “You’re right. He sent your best friend after you. That’s how out of control this bastard is.”
“It could be a trap,” Damian says.
“Or it could be a chance to end this.”
Damian nods, accepting the truth of this. “Where were all these so-called heroes when the Don made his move on me? Why didn’t any of them start digging and learn the truth sooner?”
“They were scared,” Julian says simply. “Hell, man, I was scared. You were the only one brave enough to go against the Family on your own. You’ve always been the brave one while we slink around in the shadows, completely terrified.”