Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“I already know this,” I mutter.
“The Mannos are banned from the city, Viktor,” Uncle Lucian says, worry tensing his voice. “Antonio stole money from the Cosa Nostra, and I’m pretty sure they’re behind the accident that killed Rosalie’s father.”
What?
My heart starts to beat faster.
“Why didn’t you tell me this when I took over the mafia?” Luca asks, his worried gaze settling on me.
“It wasn’t of importance to our business. Honestly, I never even thought of it. It didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things because the Mannos didn’t even register on our radar,” Uncle Lucian answers.
Every muscle in my body tenses as I say, “Let me get this straight. You’re telling me the Cosa Nostra banned the Mannos from New York. Antonio stole from them, and now Rosalie is in fucking enemy territory?”
“That sums it up,” Uncle Lucian mutters.
“Blyadʹ!” Shooting out of my seat, I walk to the pilot and instruct, “Change direction to New York.”
“Yes, Mr. Vetrov.”
I stalk back to Luca, then anger explodes in my chest, and I kick one of the leather seats.
I yank out my phone and dial Rosalie’s number, but the call immediately goes to an automated message.
“Blyadʹ,” I snap as fear trickles into my heart.
I hurry back to the pilot and ask, “How long will it take?”
“Five hours and forty-five minutes, Mr. Vetrov.”
Christ.
I go back to Luca and lock eyes with my friend, who’s still on a call with his father.
“I’m calling Parisi,” I mutter.
“Don’t,” Uncle Lucian snaps. “It will give them time to think of a plan before you arrive. Also, take the time to calm down. If you get there and the girl is not in any danger, it won’t start an unnecessary war, and you can pretend you just wanted to say hello. If she’s in trouble, the fact that you’re there in person will show them you’re not playing, and they might let her go unharmed.”
He’s right.
Unable to stand still, I start to stalk up and down the short length of the plane.
Christ. I hope to all that’s holy, Rosalie is just visiting with Alissa, and she’s not in trouble.
Or worse,… already dead.
No!
My breathing speeds up at the thought that I might already be too late.
“Rosalie better be alive when I get there,” I say, my voice hoarse from the worry and anger. “Or I’ll wipe out every Sicilian in New York.”
“Let’s pray it doesn’t come to that,” Uncle Lucian says.
“I’ll call you when we know more,” Luca tells his father.
He ends the call, then opens a group chat with Nikolas, Gabriel, and Liam.
“This is a surprise,” Nikolas answers.
“Viktor and I need the three of you in New York,” Luca informs the other members of the Priesthood. “Just as back up.”
“For?” Liam asks.
“Apparently, the Mannos are banned from New York, and they fucking owe the Cosa Nostra money,” I mutter, my tone filled with rage.
“So Rosalie walked right into their hands,” Nikolas says. “That sucks.”
“This happened when you were already the head of the Greek mafia,” I tell Nikolas. “You didn’t know?”
“Fuck no,” he chuckles. “I didn’t know about Manno’s existence until the meeting where Liam and Luca told me who he was.”
“Liam?” I ask.
“I only knew the fucker was causing trouble in my territory, and nothing about his past, or I would’ve warned you.”
True.
“This is a clusterfuck,” Gabriel gives his opinion. “I can be there in five and half hours.”
“Me too,” Nikolas assures me.
“I’ll be there in three,” Liam says. “What do you want me to do?”
“Hang back until we’re all there,” Luca answers. “Let Viktor talk to Giovanni. If Rosalie isn’t in any trouble, then it won’t look too suspicious, but if we all confront the Cosa Nostra, there will be an instant war.”
“Got it,” the other men agree.
“Liam, bring weapons. I only have my two Heckler & Kocks,” I say.
“Will do.”
“We’ll meet at my place in Central Park South. I’ll have Luca text you the address.”
Everyone agrees before we end the call.
I sit down and open my laptop again, hacking into the security cameras around Parisi’s home. It’s still quiet.
Jesus, let Rosalie be okay and just visiting with Alissa.
The flight is taking fucking forever, and ten minutes before we land, I notice activity at Parisi’s house.
“We’ve got movement,” I mutter.
Luca leans closer so he can see the screen.
Giovanni escorts his wife and Alissa to a car, then watches as they drive away before he nods toward the house. Two guards come out of the front door, dragging Rosalie, who’s yanking against their hold.
Blyadʹ.
The air leaves my lungs in a rush and every muscle in my body tenses.
“Fuck,” Luca snaps.
Every bruise on her beautiful face takes a brutal swing at my heart. Where her skin isn’t marked black and blue, it’s pale as fuck. Her features are torn in agony, telling me she’s in a fuck-ton of pain.