Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 44890 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44890 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
It’ll be torture.
No, worse than torture.
There’s this urge inside me to fly to him right now and slice his throat open, but I have enough self-preservation to know it won’t be that easy.
That doesn’t mean I’ll stop. After all, I have the perfect way to provoke his weakness. “How is your search for Paolo’s son going?”
Silence. It goes on for long enough that I know he’s calculating right now.
“That’s none of your business now, is it?” He finally says.
“Maybe it is. Maybe I have him and maybe he’ll be my perfect revenge.”
“Killing him will be doing me a favor, Jasper, not the other way around.”
“Hmm. Curious. I never said anything about killing him.”
“You have no other choice. If I see him or you, both of you will be fucking dead.”
“Who knows, Lucio. Maybe the next time you see us, we’ll be both reigning over your empire.”
I hang up before he can say anything.
A small smile lifts my lips. Lucio won’t know what’s happening to him until it hits him in the fucking face.
My plan is already in motion. I’ll stay under the radar for a while. Lucio will go out of his mind — no doubt, he’ll send men and be frantic, and that’s when I’ll strike.
I’m about to go back to my little Petal’s side, take care of the precious Costa heir, when a black car comes speeding in the distance.
Enzo.
He stops in front of the house and comes out of his Jaguar, appearing smug like he owns the entire place.
“You should get guards.” He leans against his car, crossing his feet at the ankles.
I retrieve a cigarette, light it and blow smoke in his direction. “Why would I do that?”
“Because you’re a Vitallio and Vitallios rule around here.”
“Still don’t see what’s the point.”
“Aside from the fact that Lucio might come here?”
“He won’t.” I blow another puff of smoke. “If he wanted Sicily, he wouldn’t have planted you in his turf. The Costas aren’t liked around here.”
“Doesn’t mean he won’t send mercenaries.” He releases a breath. “You still have loyal men who would do anything for you.”
“Why would they?”
“Again. Because you’re a fucking Vitallio. Your family’s favor toward them precedes you.”
Nonno’s and Padre’s favor, not mine. I, on the other hand, abandoned the people here and forgot they even existed. Fuck, I even forgot my own damn name.
Still, as my gaze strays on the half-dead fields, there’s some sort of purpose that explodes in my chest.
I want to return to those times where people worked the earth, where this house was open for anyone who loved rich meals and summer festivals.
I want to breathe life back in this place, drink its wine and add its olive oil to my Italian dishes.
And on that table, I’ll be sitting with the woman who has black hair and porcelain skin.
I frown. Where the fuck did that image come from?
“I’ll meet them,” I tell Enzo. “A few at a time.”
“Speak Italian,” he says. “Don’t you dare speak English around here.”
“They’re traditional as fuck. I know that.”
He smiles. “And loyal as fuck, too. They’ve been working the lands with little to no pay just to keep the earth alive.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
“You even have a wine cellar. Try it.”
I nod. “Make plans for a small gathering.”
A small smile grazes his lips and his weird eyes with heterochromia flicker between gray and green. “Tonight.”
“Tonight.” I crush my cigarette under my shoe, turning to leave.
My little Petal has been alone for long enough.
“Let’s go to my office.” Enzo’s voice stops me in my tracks.
I glimpse at him over my shoulder. “Why?”
“For preparations. You did well as a killer, but you also need to know who you’re dealing with business-wise.”
He’s right.
Not only do the Costas’ power go beyond borders, but their business arm is as strong as their criminal one. If I want to bring them down, I need to consider all possible angles.
After one last glance at the house, I get into Enzo’s car. My little Petal will be fine until I return.
The vibrator will keep her on the edge for me until I come back to stake my claim.
My lips curve at the thought.
“What do you plan to do with the girl?” Enzo asks me once we’re out of the property.
When we came here, I told him she’s related to Lucio because it was the only way he’d agree to smuggle her back with us on his jet.
I only said she’s a card I’ll use, and that’s all he fucking needs to know. Enzo might be my ally, but no one is allowed near my little Petal.
“She’s on standby for now.”
“On standby,” he repeats, his fingers tapping on the steering wheel.
“You have a problem with it?”
“She’s a liability, Alessio. Women always are.”
“Let me worry about that.”
“You should get rid of her,” he says. “Or I can do it for you.”