Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 128290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Rocklin laughs but shrugs a shoulder. “You’d be surprised. Bastian’s been working with Kylo. He’s quite impressive.”
I glance toward the group of Greyson Elite guys I spotted the Greco brothers standing by and catch the eye of the one who shares half my blood, and my brows rise slightly. “Wow.”
“That’s what I said. He’s like a mini Dad.”
Literally. Same sharp features, same dark hair and build.
My mother was murdered.
Swallowing, I look away, and just in time to spot Gorgio Mitchell approaching.
“Incoming,” I mumble, before plastering a small smile on my face. “Mr. Mitchell. Good to see you again.”
“Always.” He inclines his head my way, then my sister’s, and when his eyes land on my father, they narrow. “Rayo.”
“Gorgio. How’s the new…endeavor treating you?” my dad asks, but his tone is low, and his words clipped. “I hear you’re in search of something?”
“Time will tell, won’t it?” Gorgio offers in answer. “But I have it on good word things are progressing just as I’d hoped.”
When more silence than what would be considered polite passes between the men, I focus on my father, and sure enough, there is something about this he doesn’t like, his chin lifting almost as if in challenge.
Rocklin pulls her phone from her bag, leaning in to whisper, “Bronx is calling. I need to find Delta and take this.” My twin squeezes my arm, looking to Dad and then Gorgio. “Gentlemen.” She tips her chin on her exit.
“I should—” I attempt my own escape, but Gorgio slips in front of me, blocking my path.
“Stay,” he says, still in a stare-off with my dad. “I’d love to hear about you and Enzo. I must say, when the images surfaced a few weeks ago, it was quite a shock to see you’d been bartered.”
My muscles lock at his interpretation, but I don’t know why. I told Enzo no one would believe us. It’s too quick. Too coincidental, but my “job” is to pretend we’re in love, so I simply force a small laugh, finally drawing his narrowed gaze from my father to me.
But also…what pictures?
“Mr. Mitchell, you’re hilarious.” I smile as if I’m a nitwit who assumes his words were a joke and not an accusation. “I will admit, when I asked Daddy’s permission to date him, I didn’t think he would ever agree.” I force myself to look over at Enzo, and like a flame to a fire starter, his stare instantly moves from Katana to me, anger swiftly flashing over his face when he spots Gorgio.
Despite Enzo standing with a woman I want to kill and he wants to keep, I force my features to soften for Gorgio’s benefit. For the sake of our deal.
I’m holding up my end of the bargain, that’s all, so I fall into the lie.
I imagine I’m looking at a man I can’t live without, a man whose love breaks the mold of what I know love to be—an action that cultivates from convenience—and I imagine I love him back. That he is the be-all and end-all of my existence, and that, should the barrel of a Beretta be pointed his way, I love him enough to step in front of it. I imagine he’s really mine and that he’s honored to be.
What a world that would be.
As I stare, Enzo’s expression morphs into one I don’t recognize, the lines beside his eyes softening, lush lips parting.
A knot threatens to form in my throat, and I swiftly look back to Gorgio, who now has his head tipped slightly as he regards me.
“I never thought we’d make it this far,” I manage to say, my lips curving as I glance down at the ring. It’s all for show, but longing is a lot like loving, a raw beat deep in one’s chest, and mine currently pounds with a pressurized pulse. There is no doubt in my mind I appear as convincing as I need to be.
“Far but not all the way.” The older man’s comment has my head rising, as it’s not all that different from what his son said the other night. “I really wish you had considered my son’s offer, Rayo.” Gorgio looks to my ring, and then to my father. “There is still time.”
He walks away with a smirk, leaving his words, that sound a lot like a warning, hanging in the air between my father and me.
“Prick,” my father hisses. “I should drop a fucking bomb over his estate, watch how quickly those labs of his go up in flames.”
“What did he mean?” I watch him stride off, a small frown building.
Gorgio walks past Enzo and Enzo’s eyes snap my way, narrowing. I spin to face my dad as Enzo’s words come back to me.
I want Gorgio’s heir to understand what belongs to me so he stops trying to negotiate a deal that will never be made.