Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I feel a chill down into my core. “Are all the Costa men somewhat… unhinged?”
“Oh, yeah,” she says, nodding away, shoving pancakes into her mouth like it’s no big deal. “Totally nuts.”
I stare down at my plate, feeling sick. “Should I be worried?”
“They’re well-meaning psychos, if that helps at all.”
“It doesn’t really.”
“Don’t worry. Jayson might seem like he hates you, but I’m pretty sure he’s into you. I saw the way you two kissed at the wedding. I’ve noticed him looking.”
I shake my head. This is not the turn I wanted for this conversation. “No, you’re wrong. He’s just playing the role, that’s all.”
“Maybe,” she says but her knowing smile suggests she’s not buying it. “Either way, you don’t have to worry. You’ll be fine. They’re all a bunch of possessive teddy bears. They’d never let their wife get hurt, even if they actually hate her.”
“That’s not all that reassuring, but okay, thank you.”
She laughs and I change the subject back to less intense ground: American pop culture. We talk about movies and shows, at least the stuff I’ve seen, and she asks about Irish media. Once we finish eating, we get up and walk out together, and I feel more comfortable than I have in a long while.
“That was nice. We should make a routine of it, but next time I might bring the kids if that’s okay.”
“Please do, I’d love to meet them.”
“Great.” She gives me a quick side hug. “You good from here? You can get back to your room or whatever?”
“Totally fine.” She moves to leave, but I call her back. “Quick question, sorry. Is there a business center or something around here?”
“Why do you need that? Plan on making some spreadsheets?”
“Thought I might send some emails to folks back home. I don’t have any devices yet.”
She sighs, shaking her head. “God, they can be so stupid sometimes. Okay, I’m pretty sure there’s a place on the second floor over near the chapel. Ask around, you’ll find it.”
“Thanks so much.”
“Sure thing.” She hurries off and I watch her go.
Around the corner from the chapel. I turn back toward the apartment, feeling sick, breakfast like a weight in my guts.
If there’s a copier in this casino, it’ll be in that business center.
Chapter 16
Jayson
“I want every detail.” I lean back in my chair, stuck on the phone with my second in command Max Vincetti. “Everything you’ve done since I’ve been home.”
“That’ll take a while. You in a micro-managing kind of mood today?”
I tighten my grip. “Don’t give me shit.”
“Alright, relax. I got the reports all ready for you, don’t worry.” He clears his throat and starts to read.
There’s a lot of business to go over. From the legitimate clubs to the less-than-legitimate money laundering fronts. Shell companies, tax havens. Money moving all the time. Our guys in Ireland haven’t had any trouble from the Grady Clan ever since my marriage, which is a good thing, but it makes me wonder what problem’s going to come up next.
And if I’ll be able to handle it from here.
Max is a good right hand. He’s clever, strong, ruthless. But he lacks a keen business sense. He’s more of a street fighter than a CEO.
Jackson had all of that. He was the only person I ever really trusted in this world, and without him, my organization is weaker. I would’ve been fine knowing he had control of things—instead, I have to settle for Max, who is only just adequate.
“I want hourly updates,” I tell him once he’s finished going over the business. “Email is preferred, but call with important things.”
“I can do that.”
“Put a couple of secretaries on it. Make sure nothing falls through the cracks.”
He’s silent for a moment. “You sure this is necessary? I’ve been helping run the Costa family for a long time.”
“I know that, but this is my life. Now that I’m stuck here in the States, this is how things have to be.”
Another pause. I can tell he doesn’t like it. “Alright. That’s how it has to be.”
“Good. I want to hear from you in an hour.” I hang up the phone.
And get all of ten seconds to myself before the door to my office opens and Casey storms in.
“Hello, sister-in-law,” I say, crossing my arms. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
“You didn’t get her a phone or a computer yet?”
My eyebrows raise. “Sorry. What?”
“Fallon. She’s a thousand miles from home surrounded by strangers and you didn’t get her any way to communicate with her family?”
I clear my throat. “I thought she had her own stuff.”
“Well, she didn’t make it seem that way.” Casey jabs a finger at me. “Buy her a phone. Get her an international plan. Stop being a dick. Those first two will be easy, the third will take more time.”
I sigh and rub my face. “Anything else? Would you like to criticize my office while you’re at it?”