Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 85976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
I nodded at a full bottle. “Can I have one? Listening to bullshit talk makes me thirsty.”
Gunnar stifled a grin and handed me the bottle. “Go ahead. But we both know you aren’t here for pleasantries or rebuilding old connections, right, Mad?”
“I want to make one thing clear, I don’t have anything against anyone at this table. I’m not out for anyone’s head unless they are out for mine or Marcella’s. So if you don’t intend to hurt my woman or me, I won’t fuck you up.”
Richie put down his bottle with unnecessary force. “It’s six against one, Mad. You got a big mouth on you thinking you’d survive if you went against us. You aren’t even armed.”
“I could take you. Most of you have lived the lazy life these last few years.” I paused because I wasn’t arrogant enough to think I could really beat all of them at once. “And who says I’m alone. Remember, I work with the mob now.”
Roland chuckled. “Some of those Italians seem to want you dead too, Mad. Not sure you’ve chosen the right side.”
“And who are they? I hear you talked to the people who want me dead.”
“Not me personally. I don’t go anywhere near Vitiello’s men.”
Gunnar squinted down at his bottle. I narrowed my eyes. “You did?”
He sighed. “I ran across the giant boy a day or so after my escape. I was still not quite myself and was stupid enough to hide in one of our old warehouses. The hit on my head really messed me up.”
“Giant boy? You mean Amo?”
Gunnar nodded. “Yep. The boy caught up with me with another guy, and I was sure they’d end me right there, the little shits, but instead Amo told me about how you killed Earl and were out for more Tartarus heads.”
“And you didn’t have anything better to do than spread the word?”
Gunnar glared. “You don’t expect my loyalty, do you? I was royally pissed, especially in the first days when I had the headache of my life and didn’t know you’d made sure Gray got out alive. I only told one or two guys but it obviously spread from there. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the Vitiello boy told a few more bikers. He seems to hold a grudge against you.”
“He probably doesn’t like the idea of you sinking your ugly cock into his sister’s mouth and pussy,” Bean said with a laugh.
I punched him. He cried out and held his mouth. Several guns were pointed at me.
I raised my palms. “Don’t insult my woman.”
Roland shook his head. “You’re trying to make the impossible possible, Mad. Take my advice, leave the Vitiellos as long as you still can. It’s better to live with the memory of a few nights with the spoiled princess than to die the moment she loses interest in you.”
Everyone nodded.
“Maybe she enjoyed the wild ride of being with a biker but eventually she’ll pick one of her people,” Gunnar said.
“I didn’t come here for relationship advice, especially from you guys. I wanted information and I got it, so thanks.” I got up. “Are you going to rebuild Tartarus?”
Roland and Gunnar exchanged a look. “Once we find a prez.”
Gray opened his mouth but closed it again and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“Good luck then,” I said, getting up. “I should head back now.”
“Back to the Italians?” Bean asked with a scoff.
“Back to my woman.”
I squeezed Gray’s shoulder. “Call me if you need my help, all right?” Gray met my gaze then nodded. I hoped he’d really take me up on my offer. “And visit Mom now and then. She worries.”
Gunnar got up and followed me out of the hut. “You have more enemies than friends at this point, Mad. Make sure you know who’s who. You belong here. I hope it won’t take you too long to realize it. We could use a clever leader like you to build up what’s broken.”
I smiled tightly. “You’ll do fine without me.”
I turned and returned to my bike. I couldn’t deny it. I wasn’t sure if I wouldn’t miss this way of living. The sense of uninhibited freedom, the brotherhood as it used to be in the first years of me becoming a member of Tartarus. I didn’t know much about the life of the Famiglia and what I knew seemed filled with old-fashioned traditions and hypocritical rules. I wasn’t sure if I could fit in there but I would try for Marcella.
But first, before I could even think about working with the Famiglia, much less try to fit in with the Vitiellos, I needed to have a serious word with Amo fucking Vitiello.
To distract me from what had happened, Mom took me out on a girl’s spa day. She’d made last minute appointments in our favorite hair salon, nail studio, and day spa.