Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96129 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96129 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Me: you went?
Santi: of course not. Jochy told me
Me: stay away from there. There’s a reason you’re living in the NYU dorms
Santi: *eye roll emoji*
Me: *eye roll emoji* right back
Santi: remember I’m going to Cabo for Thanksgiving
Santi: wish you’d come
Me: with a bunch of college students? No, thanks
Santi: you act like you’re soooo much older than us
I was trying to think of a witty response when someone suddenly grabbed my arm and yanked me into the alley. I was slammed against the brick wall and before I got a chance to react, there was a hand around my throat blocking my airflow. I was met with icy blue eyes and started flailing to push him off, but it was no use. This was how things were with Anthony. If he wanted to back you into a corner, he would. Literally and figuratively, which was precisely why I didn’t like to fuck with him and why I knew quitting Tempt would be challenging.
“I heard you think you’re going to work for the enemy.” He pushed me further against the wall as if he was trying to make me disappear into it. “That’s not gonna happen.”
The enemy? What the hell was he talking about? I knew Dad’s bodegas were in Costello territory, which was the reason Anthony waltzed into them every Thursday like clockwork to collect their dues, but that was the extent of what I knew. I had no idea he had problems with Giovanni Masseria. Then again, how would I know? I kept my head down and my mouth shut. The last thing I needed was to be sucked back into all of that. When I was a kid, I had no idea how dangerous these men were, but I knew better now.
“What? No.” I was getting lightheaded. I reached up and grabbed his arm, pulling it, scratching it, looking for some form of release from his grip. I scratched again, eyes wide, trying to get a grasp around his hand. If he’d just let me go, I could ask him what he was talking about and explain that I’d pay the money back faster this way. Of course, Anthony only squeezed harder. My eyes started to water. “Please.”
“What were you doing at Devil’s Lair?” He pushed himself onto me, nudging a knee between my legs and pushing me further into the wall. My already high anxiety went through the roof as I waited, expecting the worst. Even though there were people walking by just a few steps away, none of them would help unless I screamed, and I couldn’t scream. I could barely breathe. Tears streamed down my face.
“Nothing,” I whispered. “Anthony, please.”
“Nothing?” He pushed his knee further up and I was instantly grateful for the barrier my jeans created. “That’s funny. Lauralee told me you quit. Didn’t even go in or give a two-week notice.”
“Please. I ca-ca-can’t breathe," I gasped loudly, taking in air when he loosened his grip around my throat.
“I can make your life hell. I can easily have Madame Costello make a call and pull you from your little Nutcracker show. Is that what you want? You want to force my hand and use my connections?”
“Please.” My chest shook with barely contained sobs, with fear. I knew he’d make good on his promise. The minute he loosened his grip again, I rushed to explain. “I can pay back the money he’s owes sooner.”
“This isn’t about the money.” He brought his mouth to my ear. “Besides, you wouldn’t want your daddy to get an unexpected visit when he’s so close to getting out, would you?”
“Please.” I was openly crying now, my voice hoarse. “Don’t do this.”
He let go of my throat suddenly and took a step back. I instantly fell to my knees, my hands finding my throat as I took a large gulp of air. Through my tears, I could see his boots as he walked away, leaving me in the alley without another word. I managed to pick myself up and ran the rest of the way to my apartment. I knew that for Anthony, it wasn’t about the money. It was about the power he held over me. He got off on that kind of high. He loved to remind us that he owned us, and I wasn’t even part of the group of girls they actually owned. A hard shiver raked through me at the thought, but it was too late. I’d already left Tempt and now I had to suck up whatever consequences that brought on. I just hoped he left my father out of this.
Something woke me up. A sound, I realized. I froze. Someone was in my apartment. In my room. If you’d told me a year ago that I’d be sleeping with a loaded gun under my spare pillow, I would’ve laughed in your face, but that was then, and right now I was glad I’d had the foresight to do so. I reached underneath the pillow and grabbed the gun quickly, holding it with both hands as I turned and pointed it at the darkness. If it was Anthony, I’d shoot him. I decided after what happened in the alley, that if he ever dared to waltz into my apartment, I’d shoot him on sight. I’d already run through every potential scenario that could come from it. Maybe they’d arrest me, but it would be self-defense. I’d probably have to give up ballet for good. I’d be depressed for the rest of my life because of it, but at least I’d feel safe. Would it have been worth taking a life? I wasn’t sure, but right now in this instant, I had to choose myself.