Total pages in book: 209
Estimated words: 196085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 980(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 654(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 196085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 980(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 654(@300wpm)
I answer him with silence. My request stands and if he’s got any smarts, he will know he has zero leverage on me without proof of life. I was obsessed with Ginger before. Fuck, when I get her back—not if but when—my life will be dedicated to her in every way, shape and form.
I will give her the world and then some.
But first, I need to deal with this fuck.
“Don’t be an ass. You know I’m not bargaining without proof. Or we can hang up now.” I dare the bluff, not sure how he knows about Ginger and betting he may not know enough to be sure I won’t sacrifice her.
A second longer pause than I expect tells me I called that right.
I hear a breath and I know it’s her. The world stops spinning until I hear the first peep of her voice.
“I’m okay.” The words cut through my sternum and eviscerate my heart.
Before I can ask her anything, the fuck’s voice is back.
“There you go. You have your proof. Now, let’s get to the important topic. Me. And how you are going to accommodate my needs in my…” He pauses, and George is holding a hand over his mouth. “…new life. It was so rude that you left our meeting so abruptly. You owe me an apology for that. After all, I am the customer and the customer is always right.”
I decide to gather as much information as possible.
“What do you want exactly?” I play into his ego. “I’ll give you what you want. I’m already working on the demands you left with my boss. Just give me the specifics so I can get it done and move the fuck on.”
A stony chuckle comes through the phone. “Now, that’s more like it. See how easy things can be when you just accept your position? Okay, here’s what I expect now in addition to what I told him before we met…”
I let my head fall back on my neck as he drones on. None of it matters, I’m not doing shit for him except ending his useless life. He prattles on about square footage, a pool with a hot tub, neighborhood, how many cars and the style…even if I did what he’s asking and didn’t kill him myself, the two mobsters certainly would.
He doesn’t seem to understand the idea of being low profile for a few years to save his dumb ass.
Amazing how ego can interrupt intelligence. This guy is clearly wicked smart, savvy, but his weakness is what will get him killed. He’s a bit blind in his quest for the win.
Only, it will be my pleasure now to do the honor of ending his life.
When he finishes I finally respond. “Fine. Got it. But you don’t get shit until I get her. So, I’ll do this, finalize it all and meet your guy. It will take me a few hours, so where do we pick up Ginger? And she best be in the same condition as when she left or your deal is dead. So are you.”
“Enough with the death threats. If you want her to live, you will follow my instructions and never see her again. You won’t be picking her up from anywhere.” The silence that follows echoes in my head and I’m not sure what’s coming next. “I get my new life. And she gets her old life. You get to do whatever the fuck you want, but it won’t include her or I’ll make sure there is no her. Do you understand this, Stanislov? No matter where I end up, I’ll be watching.” I hear him laugh. “Oh, and if you’re watching for my connection, thinking you’ll be able to get to me, don’t bother. He’s just a courier. He has no idea where the package is going until it’s in his hands. I’ll give him a call when he’s on the road and let him know where to meet me. If anything happens to him, he’s delayed even a minute or if he even thinks he’s being followed, he’ll let me know and I’ll slit her pretty little throat.”
It takes every ounce of my control to not come undone.
“I read your note, Calfus, but you need to give me more or the deal is off. Ginger comes home with me.”
His words ‘her old life’ play on repeat in my mind. From what she’s told me, she has no old life. Her parents are deceased, the village or whatever the fuck it was is gone. She has no one.
Visions of Ginger pound through my mind. Her scent surrounds me and I can’t help but focus on the thought that my seed could have found its home in her womb already and we just don’t know.
I’ve fucked her enough unprotected for us to have bred an army, but for some reason I haven’t taken root yet. But that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be true right now, this moment, while that less-than-human has her.