Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
I let my tears flow, and scared I’ll run out of time and won’t get a chance to say everything that’s in my heart, the truth falls over my lips. “Thank you for being the best father a girl could ask for. Thank you for being everything I needed and taking care of me. Thank you for loving me.”
A wounded sound comes from Dad, and it makes my tears fall faster.
“When I’m gone, I want you to live a beautiful, long life. Fall in love again. You’re not too old to have another child. Live and be happy.”
Dad’s eyes snap to mine with so much anger, then he cries, “Stop talking like that. I’m not letting you die, and I sure as fuck don’t want other kids. I want you, Skylar. You’re my daughter, and no one can take your place.”
Tilting my head, I give him a pleading look. “Daddy.”
He lets go of my hand, and climbing to his feet, he angrily wipes the tears from his cheeks. “You’re not dying.”
Before I can say anything else, he storms out of the hospital room.
God, this is too hard.
How do I say goodbye to my father, knowing he’ll be all alone in this world? How do I ask him to carry on after I’m gone?
I would do anything to save him from the grief and loneliness.
Chapter 2
Renzo
While I’m checking the status of all the shipments with Elio, I hear Giulio’s infectious laughter as he spars with Fabrizio and Vincenzo.
“Giulio, it’s no use sparing,” I mutter. “I’ll never make you a guard.”
He stops mid-punch and pulls a disgruntled face. “Come on, Renzo. I’m almost as good as Fabrizio and Vincenzo.”
I let out a snort while Vincenzo says, “You wish.” Just to prove his point, he swipes Giulio’s feet from under him, making him fall on his ass.
Elio’s booming laughter fills the air as he shakes his head, his tone filled with sarcasm as he drawls, “Yeah, you’ve gotten real good.”
With a scowl, Giulio climbs to his feet. “I was caught off guard.”
Getting up from the chair, I say, “Elio, make sure the shipment to China isn’t late. The contract with the Triads is important.”
“Will do, boss.”
When I walk to the door, Giulio catches up to me. “Where are we going?”
“The restaurant,” I reply as I leave the warehouse.
“For lunch?” he asks. “I’m starving. Sparring with the guys has worked up an appetite.”
I shoot him a glare. “No. To check that everything is running smoothly. Do you ever not think of food?”
“Of course. When I’m training to become your guard, I don’t think about food at all.”
Letting out a sigh, I say, “You’re my driver, and that’s the end of the discussion.”
Giulio’s only twenty years old. His father, Santino, was my father’s driver until he passed away from a heart attack a couple of years ago. Since then, Giulio’s practically been my shadow, and to keep him busy, I made him my driver.
Growing up, I saw more of Santino than my own father, and I always considered Giulio family.
By being around me, he’s slowly learning everything about the business, and when he’s ready, I’ll make him Elio’s underboss.
I’m close with many people, but Giulio’s like a little brother to me, which means I’m protective of him.
Sure, I care about all my men, but there’s a handful I love like they’re my own blood. Elio, Francisco, Vincenzo, and Giulio are right at the top, along with the other heads of the Cosa Nostra.
Giulio opens the door of the black Bentley, and after I climb inside, he shuts it and hurries around the front of the car to get in behind the steering wheel.
As he drives us away from the warehouse, he’s quiet.
Five minutes away from La Torrisi, the restaurant I opened when I was twenty-one, Giulio asks, “Why?”
Keeping my gaze on the view outside the window, I say, “Why won’t I let you be my guard?”
“Yes.”
“Because it’s my job to protect you. Not vice versa.”
“But –”
“Enough, Giulio,” I snap. “Christ.”
When he parks the car in front of the restaurant, his tone is remorseful when he says, “I didn’t mean to upset you.” Glancing over his shoulder, his eyes meet mine. “I just want to be able to keep you safe.”
Letting out a sigh, I look at him and reply, “And I want to keep you safe. As the oldest between us, it’s my duty.” Leaning forward, I place my hand on his shoulder and give him a squeeze. “I promised your dad I’d look out for you. Let me keep my promise.”
The corner of his mouth lifts, then he nods. “Okay.”
Shoving the car door open, I say, “Come. Let’s get you some food.”
He chuckles as he climbs out, and the moment we walk into the restaurant, I hear Giulio’s stomach growl loudly.
“Place your order, then meet me in the office,” I mutter before leaving Giulio in the main section of the restaurant.