Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“We have one. She’s been out for a few weeks.”
“There’s more to that,” Bastian said between bites, his eyes on me.
He’d always been good at picking up on shit even when no one else could.
“About a week and a half ago, we had a robbery.”
“A robbery? Here? You’re shitting me.”
“I know. Couldn’t believe it either. And there’s been no developments about who did it.”
“We lose anyone?” he asked.
“No. Up until then, I kept this place fully legit. But, as you could see out there, my manager got jumped. And our only female employee was knocked around, then dragged back here and almost assaulted. So, she’s been on paid leave since.”
“Don’t want her messed-up face broadcasting to the neighborhood that this place can be robbed.”
“Exactly,” I agreed.
“Shit been that rocky?” he asked.
Sure, some of us had kept money on his books while he was away. And we even went to visit him. But you had to be careful as fuck with what you said to someone through letters or visits. Everything was scanned or recorded. The last thing any of us wanted was for there to be a chance that something got overheard and screwed up Bastian’s chance for release.
So he was in the dark about just about everything that had gone down the past several years, save for tame shit like people getting married, having kids, or starting new business ventures.
“No. Things have been calm. I mean, compared to how shit was when Renzo was first working to take over here. We had some issues with Renzo’s marriage, then some feud involving Cinna. More recently, we had some… negotiations with the Bratva. But in the end, they willingly moved on over to East New York. We haven’t had shit else going on. Save for the usual people not wanting to pay thing.”
“Well, you got me now. If you want to use me here, an added layer of protection, or want me out on the streets doing something, I’m there.”
“Appreciate that. But you deserve a chance to enjoy your freedom for a bit before you get back to work.”
“Oh, I’ll be enjoying all night and half of tomorrow. But after that, I’m anxious to get back out there. Earn my way.”
“I’d be happy to have you here then. But we’ll have to talk to Renzo first. Figure that can wait until tomorrow, though, if you want to go have some fun.”
“Anywhere good to get a drink around here?” Bass asked.
“Yeah, I’ll come with.”
A drink turned to several, some meeting up with others, food, and then a club that I ducked out of as soon as Bastian got himself occupied with some women. I didn’t expect to see him until sometime the next day.
I didn’t realize how close the club was to a certain someone’s place until I found myself looking down her street, wondering how fucking creepy it would be to show up at her door.
Before my rational mind could talk me out of it, though, I was walking up the steps out front. Only to find the fucking front door not only open but the lock busted.
Real safe.
I reached for my phone, shooting off a text to Coal to deal with the lock before going into the elevator to make my way up to Kick’s floor.
Inside, I heard the low chatter of something on the TV, and had a moment where I almost turned around.
But then my hand was lifting and I was knocking on her door.
“It’s Rico,” I called when the TV muted.
“Rico?” she called back, confused, as she made her way to the door, sliding the lock and the chain before opening.
Then there she was.
In a pair of barely-there sleep shorts in yellow and pink stripes and an old, worn, soft from too many washings white tee that she clearly didn’t have anything on underneath.
“I was… just checking in,” I said, forcing my gaze to stay on her face even if I was dying to let my eyes wander.
She looked better.
The bruise was practically nonexistent on her cheek and the split on her lip had become more of a light pink scar that you probably wouldn’t even notice if you didn’t know to look for it.
“Oh, that’s… nice,” she said, sounding a little distracted.
Just then, her cat came striding down the hall, flicking his tail in the air, then making a beeline for me, slamming his body against my legs and rubbing against me. He weaved through my legs, letting out little satisfied purrs as he, essentially, used me as a rubbing post.
“You traitor,” she said to the cat, narrowing her eyes at him. “Meanwhile, this is what I get for trying to pet you,” she said, showing me her arm with some fresh red scratches. “You want to come in?” she asked, taking a step back.
“Sure,” I agreed, leaning down to pick up the cat so I could move inside and close the door.