Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Helps that the face is only a front for a strong woman. If she were soft, privileged, if she were aware of just exactly how attractive she is, I wouldn’t be anywhere near her.
I would’ve taken a look, like I planned back then, and never bothered to come back.
Instead, I couldn’t keep away.
This was never my plan, but fuck, nothing’s been going my way these days.
I get out of the car. She doesn’t run off, which is a good sign. Her defiant stare makes my heart flutter with excitement. I can’t remember the last time a woman made me feel this way. Like it’s a challenge. Like I want to be near her.
She fucking hates me.
I like that.
“Did you reconsider yet?”
She shakes her head. “Not on your life.”
“Trying to come up with another way out of this?”
“Something like that.”
“There’s nothing you can do.”
“I could move.”
“Good luck with that. I can afford a few more buildings if I have to.”
She groans with frustration. “What is with you? Why do you want to go out with me so badly?”
“I think you’re beautiful.”
She snorts. “I’m covered in dog hair and ketchup. Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Not at all.”
“Go find some pretty girl to mess around with in a better part of the city. Leave me alone, okay?”
She turns to walk off. I can’t help but grin. That’s the exact attitude I expected from her.
“Your sister,” I say, which makes her stop. “Central’s a long trip for you guys. Does she need a ride in the mornings?”
Kira slowly turns around. Pure rage shines on her face. “Are you threatening my sister?”
“Not even slightly.”
“You listen to me.” She comes closer, jabbing a finger at me, teeth clenched. “You can mess with me all you want. You can make your threats and stalk me and whatever. But don’t you dare go near Gem. Do you hear me? Don’t you ever threaten her again.”
I gently push her finger away from my chest. Touching her sends a jolt down into my core. “I don’t threaten teenagers.”
Some of her bravado stalls. “Then what are you talking about?”
“I was offering to send her a car. I’ll hire a driver. I’ll pay for an Uber if that would make you more comfortable. She’d save a half hour every morning.”
Confusion and anger spasm across her face. Clearly, she doesn’t believe me and she sure as hell doesn’t trust what I’m saying. “The answer is no. Stay away from Gem.” She turns and storms off, but throws one last thing over her shoulder. “And kindly fuck off!”
I laugh. I can’t help it. What a woman. She’d kick me in the teeth if it meant protecting her little sister.
I can admire that.
But it’s a real pain in my ass, and I need to break her sooner rather than later, because I don’t know how long the Corsetti Famiglia can last without a Don at its head.
Especially while the Black Book is still missing.
The council is old and soft. They’re stuck in their ways and they’ll lead us straight into hell if I don’t do something fast.
I might have to attempt more aggressive tactics soon if Kira remains stubborn.
KIRA
“Iheard he’s got Saudi money,” Mina says conspiratorially. She shrugs, pursing her lips at the look Tabby tosses at her. “What? It’s just what I heard.”
“The guy’s not some front for the Saudis,” Tabby says, shaking her head. She sucks at the vape, which makes Mina wrinkle her nose. They don’t fight about it though. They’ve gone through that already and decided to bury it. “And what would the frickin’ Saudis want with our little dump?”
“She’s got a point.” I glance at my phone. Today’s a rare off day for me, but I’m still taking a diner shift overnight. I’ll get a solid seven hours of sleep if I turn in soon. “Did you two meet him?”
“Stellan Corsetti.” Tabby’s eyebrows raise straight to her hairline. “I’ve never seen a man like him in my life.”
“Handsome,” Mina agrees.
“Divine. Sexy. I’d let him eat sushi off my ass.”
“I would too,” Mina says with a sigh. “Too bad I’m past that part of my life.”
“He’s a prick.” I glance away, jaw working. I haven’t seen Stellan in a few days. Not since he ambushed me after work the other night and offered to give Gem a ride. At first, I thought he was being a bastard, but now that I’ve replayed the conversation a thousand times in my head, I’m starting to think he was sincere.
Which makes me wonder who the hell this guy is.
“I like him a lot.” Tabby sighs out vape smoke. “I mean, how can you not? He cut my freakin’ rent almost in half.”
My gaze snaps up in alarm. “He did what?”
“Mine too,” Mina agrees. “Same with everyone else in the building. Didn’t you get the notice, Kira?”