Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 102546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“I can save you.” I say the words before I even think them through.
She steps back into me, the corner of her plump lips lift, giving me a sympathetic smile, and she places a hand on my racing heart. “My life isn’t worth the cost.”
At this moment, I hate all the Bianchis. Even Luca. What did he think was going to happen to her? Why didn’t he protect her from their father?
“No one else needs to be hurt because of me,” she adds softly.
“No one was hurt because of you.” I know she feels that way about Luca, but so far, nothing has led us to believe that. If anything, he was hurt because of me. The Kings haven’t gotten any closer to finding anything out. There’s nothing but silence on the streets. But somewhere, someone has to know something.
She sighs. “Luca isn’t the first.”
Frowning, I ask. “What does that mean?”
“Nite.”
“What about him?” I ask, stepping into her.
Her silvery-blue eyes meet mine. “He can’t speak … because of me. What happened to him is my fault.”
“What happened to him, Mia?” I demand. The Kings don’t know the specifics regarding Nite’s refusal to talk. We were told he chose to take a vow of silence.
She bows her head, crosses her arms around her chest, and closes her eyes. She’s closed off. I won’t be getting any more information out of her about it at the moment.
I’m all this woman has. I’m not known as Bones for nothing. I own a fucking Kingdom. I’ve dug holes to bury bodies in the desert. I’ve ended so many lives, and now I have a chance to save one. Deciding what I must do, I remove my cell out of my pocket and dial a number I know can help.
“Well, well, well,” she greets through a yawn. Of course, I woke her up. “It’s the infamous Bones calling me. What can I do for you this early in the day?” She laughs, adding, “You better be calling to tell me you’re on your way over.”
“Not that kind of call,” I say, taking a quick look at Mia, and she’s staring at her bare feet. “I want to give you a story. An exclusive story.” The Kings have had shit written about us for years now. We were too young to run an empire. Then it was our ruthlessness to knock anyone down who got in our way. Then it went to our relationships. Who we were fucking. Grave has been arrested multiple times in the past for his drug and alcohol use. That always got him front and center. But I’ve managed to stay clear. I’m never seen out with a woman, and I keep my nose clean and my mind on work.
“I’m listening,” she says, shifting in bed.
“I’m going to be at Winstons tonight with the Kings. I’ll arrive at eight thirty. Be ready.”
She gives a rough laugh. “I know some are obsessed with you, Bones, but I don’t think where you’re eating will make headlines.”
I smile. “It will. I’ll be arriving with someone. A special someone.”
“Oh?” I have her interest. “Who is she to you?”
I look over to see Mia standing in front of the shower, the towel wrapped around her still wet body and clothes underneath. She looks terrified with her wide eyes and trembling lips. “You are to make assumptions,” I answer.
There’s a long pause before she asks. “Her name?”
“Not giving it,” I state. No one knows this woman even exists, and I’ve made those who do sign an NDA. If I give a name, then the Bianchis will know it’s a setup. We need it to look like she’s got me falling for her. That I’m taking her out for a nice dinner, not that we’re playing them.
She huffs at my unwillingness to give her any information. “Is there anything specific you want me to add to the story?”
Mia’s big eyes meet mine, and I smile. “Run with it.” I hang up.
“What was that for?” Mia asks, her shoulders shivering.
“That was a reporter. She’ll take pictures and make up all kinds of shit. We’ll be all over the front-page news and social media by tomorrow.”
“And?” she asks, biting her bottom lip nervously.
“And it will get back to your father. He’ll see us as the happy couple.”
She shakes her head softly, her wet hair sticking to her cheeks. “Dillan, you don’t have to—”
“It’s done, Mia.” I interrupt whatever she was about to say.
Accepting my refusal to let this go, she asks, “What do we say when he asks why I came to Vegas in the first place? He has to know my brothers found me in California.”
“We say it was Luca.” I walk over to her, closing the small distance. Reaching out, I take a piece of wet hair and twist it around my finger while I stare down at her. “You were distraught over what happened to your brother, and I consoled you.” We don’t have to lie about that part. Especially since we think it was the Bianchis who hurt Luca to draw her here. We’ll let them think they have that win.