Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
My eyes fly open, and I sit straight up in bed, my heart beating a staccato rhythm in my chest.
“I’m not sure she wants visitors right now, Timeo.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Timeo
Yeah, no one wanted me to get behind the wheel of a car and even I’m not dumb enough to do that yet. But I’ve got a team of men happy to do my bidding, and there isn’t much the right price won’t get you.
“She went to The Castle,” Giorgio says.
“And you’re here why?” I snap at him. Sergio and Mario watch in silence as Giorgio quakes under my glare.
“I didn’t know she was leaving, sir. I—”
“Should’ve followed her to the depths of hell if that’s where she fucking went.” It hurts to sit up and hurts worse to stand but I don’t fucking care. I look over Giorgio’s shoulder and talk to Sergio, standing behind him. “Sergio, permission to fire Giorgio.”
Sergio frowns but nods. “He’s right, you should’ve followed her. Consider yourself lucky. Strike one. We reassign you.”
Last year, I lost my fucking mind when one of her guards let her out of his sight. Then I come back to this? I’ve had it. Had. It.
“You’ll stay and do whatever Sergio asks you to, but you’re relieved of your duty of guarding Starla.”
“Timeo—”
I snap my fingers at Giorgio. “Get the truck. It has snow tires if this fucking blizzard turns out to be anything. You’re driving.”
My body aches as we make it to The Castle. Can’t imagine what I’d feel like if I wasn’t on heavy pain meds right now.
Strike that. I know exactly how it would feel and I’m in no hurry to relive it.
I’m shocked when the Rossi family guards at the gate stand at attention, like I’m a general come back from war or whatever the fuck. They’re only under my leadership by proxy. They answer to Romeo first and Sergio second. And yet…
“Welcome home, Mr. Montavio.”
“Good to have you back, Mr. Montavio.”
“If we can help with anything, let us know, Mr. Montavio.”
“Thank you.” It takes all my effort not to fall to the cool grass. It would feel welcome right now against my scorching skin.
I have no energy left for any additional niceties, so I only nod. They’re deferring to me out of respect because…I survived.
But Starla is here. I know she is. I don’t give a fuck what Sergio says, or Eden, or anyone at this point.
Starla’s in danger and she made a dumbass move coming up here. I flick open the phone and swipe on the weather. Forecast still says snow.
I welcome the cold droplets on my heated skin. Burning a fever, probably, wouldn’t fucking surprise me.
I don’t care.
“Bring me up to speed on security and surveillance.” I stifle a groan when a wave of pain tightens my chest. “Bonus points if you can do it in thirty seconds or less. All details.”
The first guard snaps to. “Sir, we’ve secured the perimeter of The Castle with an electric fence, topped with razor wire. We have video surveillance and motion sensors to constantly monitor for any breaches.”
“Cameras?”
“Yes, sir, newly equipped with infrared lasers to enable night vision. Feeds are monitored by a team in our control room.”
“Location of your control room?”
One guard looks at another. “We’re only allowed to reveal that information under the express command of Romeo Rossi, sir.”
Good, good. That was a test, and they passed it. I nod.
My cousin Romeo’s done due diligence.
“Access points.”
“Main gate’s heavily fortified and controlled. All visitors not previously vetted are evaluated. All other access points are monitored with similar surveillance.”
“Good. Anything else I need to know?”
“Yes, sir. To protect the air space we’ve set up a no-fly zone and installed anti-drone technology.”
Every one of these steps mimics what Sergio’s put in place at Bella Notte. Since my capture and detainment, they’ve upped their game.
Still, I’m not naïve enough to believe there’s any such thing as foolproof security. The effectiveness of security measures hinges on the trustworthiness of those with access.
“You’ve done well. Stay vigilant and keep me abreast of any new developments.” I stare at the cloudless night sky. “If we get the snow predicted, I’ll be here until it clears.”
“Yes, sir. Does Mr. Rossi know of your visit, sir?”
“Yes.”
Sergio would’ve told Romeo immediately.
The Castle against the night sky is beautiful, and my heart aches a little when I look at it. I’ve missed the familiarity and comfort of family.
Imposing and majestic as always, set against the backdrop of the winter sea behind it. White lights twinkle in the windows, and spotlights cast bright white light on the pathway lined with evergreens. I have way more fond memories of The Castle than I do of my own damn mother, it’s that much a part of the fabric of who I am.
It feels like the temperature’s dropped twenty degrees since I left Bella Notte. I shove my hands in my pockets and wish I’d at least brought a damn coat. I’ll find something here.