Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Looks like you’re going to Connecticut.” I pause to think. I may not have much contact with Sim, but I know all about her life. She has been performing right outside of Connecticut.
“I can handle this one for you,” I offer.
“That won’t be necessary. I’m due for a visit with Uncle Nicholas and I should check in on Symphony while I’m there,” he replies absently.
Once the words are out, he stops what he’s doing with the papers on his desk and looks up at me. He studies me for a moment as if looking through me.
“If you want to go see her, do not use family business as an excuse. She would be happy to see you,” he says as if reading my mind.
“I’m not looking for an excuse,” I mumble.
“You lie. Is this how you repay my love by lying to my face?”
I give a genuine smile. A rare smile for a rare occasion. Uri doesn’t express his affection often. I know he loves me but it’s not often I hear him admit it.
“I have things here to look after. She’s better off without me.”
“You have things to do here, yet you offer to do this job. Piss off. I’m not going to play this game with you. I don’t know what happened when you went there last, but it has changed you.
“You can lie to yourself, but don’t try this with me. Don Trovati has noticed the change as well. I don’t want you losing yourself in all of this.
“You are my little brother. If this has become too much, say so. I will take over the responsibility.
“We can file for a divorce or have the marriage annulled or whatever. You don’t have to continue to carry this weight. You were a child when you agreed to this.
“I shouldn’t have allowed it. You just speak too quickly and … I should have put you first,” he sighs.
Hearing the guilt in his voice stings. This isn’t his fault. I wanted to do this. Even now, anger rises as I think of what he’s suggesting. If I’m not married to Symphony, then who?
The thought of another man taking my place makes me want to spit fire. I rub at my chest where I wear her name tattooed across my skin. I had it done the year after the incident.
It felt wrong to have Annabella drug her for me to spend the night with her in my arms. Not knowing what triggered her the year before, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. The chance that the sleeping aids could wear off and I would be there to frighten her turned something once innocent into something absolutely, without a doubt, creepy.
“I am fine. I have not changed my stance. Things are just complicated,” I say.
He snorts. “I do remember telling you they would be. I find I understand Sim more and how to handle her when I ask questions and allow her to do the same.
“Her unfiltered honesty reveals everything you need to know. I don’t think it’s as complicated as you make it. Capisce?”
“Capito.”
Symphony
“Ninety-nine,” I murmur to myself as I stand over my last two kills.
This husband and wife deserved this. They stole a child and have done nothing but abuse him for as long as they’ve had him. It was a visit to the hospital from one of their beatings that revealed the two weren’t his parents, putting in motion an investigation.
The boy’s parents turned out to be a wealthy art dealer and heiress to an oil family. The father was the one to seek out my services. After seeing the pictures of what was done to the boy and the mountain of hospital records, I would have done this one for free.
Never the same hospital more than once. The severity of the injuries increased with time. Black eyes and broken eye sockets, broken bones, and injured organs.
I want to go after everyone who neglected to get the child help, but they don’t fall into the guidelines. I will have to let it go and be satisfied with kills number ninety-eight and ninety-nine.
I turn and leave quietly the way I entered. My assignment is complete. Adriano nods to me as he opens the car door for me to slide in when I get to the location where he’s been waiting for me.
“I wish to speak with you,” I say once he is behind the wheel and pulls off.
“Oh really? What’s up this time, boss?”
“I keep telling you I am not your boss. Especially since you haven’t touched a dime of the money I pay you. Which is the topic of the conversation I wish to have.”
He sighs and glances in the rear-view mirror. I fold my arms over my chest. I don’t understand why he refuses my payments.
“How do you know I haven’t touched it?” he asks and lifts a brow.