Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21649 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21649 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 108(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 72(@300wpm)
Welcome to Silver Spoon After Dark. Your patronage will be our dirty little secret.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Chapter 1
Ryan
I’m sitting in my favorite chair by the window that overlooks my vast backyard. It's a calm, sunny afternoon in Silver Spoon Falls—my first day off in weeks.
I’m halfway through the mystery novel I’ve been trying to read for months when my phone buzzes with an incoming call. I glance down and see my old friend Lorenzo’s face flash across the screen. Fuck. It’s been a hot minute since I talked to him. Reluctantly, I place my book on the side table and swipe to answer. “Hello.”
“It’s about time. I thought you were avoiding my call.” Lorenzo’s voice is unmistakable, rough around the edges mixed with a distinctive New York accent.
“I answered on the third ring,” I reply, shaking my head at his impatience. I guess that’s what you get when you become the mafia boss’s right-hand man right out of college. When his uncle retired three years ago, Lorenzo took his place as the head of the Amante family.
“I need a favor, and I trust you more than anyone else,” he says, his tone slightly urgent.
I’m betting I’ll regret this. “Sure, anything. What’s going on?” I respond, wondering what could cause Lorenzo to sound so serious.
“It’s about Michela,” he begins. My mind flashes to his little sister, who I haven't seen in years. The tiny dark-haired little imp ten years younger than us always tried to hang out with the older kids. Last I heard through the old neighborhood grapevine, she was busy with college, dreaming of becoming a teacher.
I grip the phone tighter. “What’s up with Michela? Is she okay?” I ask, concern creeping into my voice.
“She’s fine, more stubborn than ever.” It’s easy to picture my friend sitting at his antique oak desk with his feet up on the polished surface as he complains. “My little sister is the biggest pain in my ass. Without bothering to discuss it with me, she decided to take a goddamn job in Silver Spoon Falls,” he grumbles. “I tried to talk her into staying here and letting me help her get a job in the family business, but trying to change her mind is goddamn impossible.”
“I’m not shocked.” I chuckle, picturing the little firecracker standing up to her protective, much older brother.
I haven’t seen Michela in years, but my grandmother makes sure to bring her up every time we talk. She swears Michela has become the most beautiful, sweetest woman in New York. The sudden memories cause my heart to squeeze in my chest as I realize all I’ve missed since I moved away years ago and never looked back.
“Me neither. She’s independent to a fault. She’s not going to ask for help, even if she needs it,” Lorenzo growls, and I can picture my old friend pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. “Would you keep an eye on her for me?”
“Of course, Lorenzo. You didn’t even need to ask. I’ll look out for her,” I assure him. It's the least I can do for a friend who’s always had my back. Plus, his little sister holds a special place in my heart.
“Thanks, man. I knew I could count on you,” he says, sounding relieved. “She’s flying into Houston tomorrow. She rented an apartment in a secure building in downtown Silver Spoon Falls and should be in town Friday. I sent a few guys down to keep an eye on her, but she lives to try my patience. Every time you turn around, she’s giving the idiots the slip.”
I chuckle to myself at the thought of big mafia thugs trying to keep up with the little firecracker. “No problem. I’ll take care of her,” I promise, realizing I’m going to have to cancel my plans to go to my fishing cabin in Midnight Falls this weekend.
After putting in extra hours at the club for a month straight, I could use a weekend off to unwind. Looks like I’ll have to wait a while to get my weekend away.
We chat for a few more minutes before hanging up, and I find myself thinking about Michela. The last time I saw her, she was barely a teenager, full of dreams and energy but already fucking gorgeous, which drove her protective older brother nuts.
It killed me to move away from Lorenzo and his family, but I knew I couldn’t stay since it would mean joining the family. While I love my friend and his connected family, I knew I wasn’t cut out for that life.
Friday arrives quicker than I expected. I wake up early to deal with my work emails and then head to town to find Michela.