Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“Everything alright here?” Mario steps up to the circle that’s now surrounding us. His gaze is nothing like Kai’s as he looks between me, Judah, and Dario.
“It’s all good, Brother,” Kai responds, because I’m sure Judah is nowhere near calm enough to reply.
Mario nods. “Good,” he says. “Wouldn’t want something to happen at our event. We should form alliances, not break them down.”
Once again, the rules are set without voicing them fully.
“It’s all good,” Dario says, before he offers Judah a mock salute and turns and heads back to his friends. The tension in the room settles, and I’m able to breathe again.
“I need the restroom,” I whisper, hoping to escape the eyes currently focused on me. Without waiting on the guys, I head out of the large room which reminds me of a holiday villa, and make my way down the passage.
There are so many doors leading off the long pathway, and my curiosity gets the better of me as I push one door open. Inside is a darkened bedroom. The only light comes in from the window, illuminating the frame of the four-poster bed.
When I take a step back, I slam into a hard, muscled frame. A gasp tumbles from my lips and a hand slams over my mouth. His warm breath fans over my cheek when Kai whispers, “Shh, little spy.”
He steals me from the darkness and pulls me into a corner where nobody could see if they walked by. I messed up by replying to Dario when I should have been quiet. And Kai will not let this go. I can feel Judah’s presence not far away, and when Kai spins me around, Judah’s eyes land on mine, and then Valen appears like a fucking shadow.
Three Kings too young for their roles, but far too confident in the violence and mayhem.
Kai pulls me back against his body, while Judah and Valen step forward. I’m nestled between them, three men who look like they’re about to devour me whole.
“You’re going to go upstairs. There’s a bedroom to your left as soon as you get onto the landing,” Kai instructs me in a whisper. “Bring us the information that’s on the desk that’s at the window which overlooks the backyard. Two folders with the Errani family crest on them.”
“How do you—?”
“Don’t forget, little spy,” Judah whispers, “don’t get caught, and don’t fuck this up because it’s your chance to prove your loyalty.”
Kai’s hand tangles in my hair and he tugs my head back, while Judah and Valen both lean in and I feel the warmth of their mouths against the curve of my neck.
Teeth graze my flesh sending tingles through me and my body prickles with goosebumps as I’m tormented. I can’t deny, their threatening demeanour has my thighs squeezing together.
“Now go, little spy,” comes Judah’s order. “Find us in the living room when you’re done.”
I’m not sure why Kai doesn’t ask Mario for them, but I don’t question my task. Instead, I rush for the stairs, and make my way into the silent darkness that awaits.
My heart thunders in my ears, and I pray I’m not caught.
BROTHER’S PROMISE
KAI
When I find Mario in the office on the ground floor, I shut the door behind me and take in my brother. I was adopted, while he grew up with his parents. The thing is, he’s never made me feel as if I’m an outsider. And for him to step back and allow me to take over his bloodline heritage means more to me than I ever expected.
“It’s nice to see you outside of New York,” I tell him as I settle in the chair opposite his desk.
“Enzo said I can take some time to sort this shit out here and get you ready for the initiation. It’s only a few weeks and you’ll be taking over from Dad.”
“I know,” I say as I rest my ankle on the opposite knee. “I’m worried though. I mean, I should not be the one taking over. You should.”
Mario settles into his chair and he looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “You realize that I’m not coming back to Italy. I’m happy where I am. Enzo is good to me and I have to stay loyal. I made my vow already.” His New Yorker accent is thick, so far removed from my Italian one.
We both grew up in Sicily, until Mario left to find something better in America, and it left me at home. I didn’t mind it because things were good. The house was warm when it needed to be, and it was cool when summer hit. And I had parents who supported me right until I wanted to come to Black Hollow. They weren’t happy, but they didn’t stop me.
“He wasn’t over the moon that I wanted to study here,” I tell Mario as I recall our father’s words. It’s not a good place. What if you fall in with the wrong crowd?