Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 40037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Why are these windows blocked?
I touched the bottom of one window’s shutters, wondering if I could unlock them. Nothing worked.
There was something to this.
Are they nervous I will climb out the window or jump off the balcony?
That couldn’t be it. I had enough men and guns to blast us out of here so smoothly that we’d stroll out the front door.
They’re blocking the windows for another reason.
I went to the balcony doors. The metal curtains blocked the view and there was absolutely no way to move them.
I tapped at the curtains, rattling the metal.
Something unexpected happened.
Light green light spilled from the top corners of the metal as if someone on the other side of the balcony had shone a flashlight in my direction.
I knocked at the metal again.
A strange, sharp noise cut through the other side of the metal shutters.
What was that?
The green glow brightened at the corners.
Then, something rustling on the other side.
I tensed.
The warm air chilled around me as if a winter wind swept through the room.
Then, a scream came next. It was so high-pitched that I thought my eardrums would shatter like glass pierced through the air. The scream was dry and brittle, like the sound of a scab being torn from a wound that was too large and damaged to heal.
What the hell?
Next, the unnatural giggles of children surrounded me as the shrilling shriek echoed throughout the suite.
Had I not been a logical man, I would have guessed that monsters had come out of the darkness to play on the balcony.
What the hell is going on? I’m missing something.
Then, everything went silent.
Straining to hear, I pressed my ear against the curtain try to hear more.
Instantly, the scent of burning wood and hair filled the air next. The acrid scent curled into my nose and stung my eyes.
Someone spoke in a hushed whispered on the balcony, “Go to her. Go to her.”
Who is that?
I fidgeted with the lock and had no helpful result.
And then suddenly bright green light seeped from the corners of the metal curtains again.
“Tuck her in. Tuck her in.”
Who are they talking to?
A screeching whisper came from the other side. “Santino.”
Terror crawled through me.
“No.” I moved my face from the metal and looked at the shutters. “They didn’t say my name.”
“Saaannnntttinnnnooooo.”
My body shivered.
It was odd, but the noise didn’t sound like it couldn’t have come from a human. In fact it sounded like it was from another world.
My pulse quickened with terror. My thoughts raced wildly as a thousand scenarios played through my mind as to what could have happened.
The whisper echoed in my ears. “Santino. Santino. Santino.”
The noise drew closer and closer, like it was trying to swallow me.
My curiosity shifted to fear.
I frowned. “Who. . .what. . .is this?”
“Go to her. Tuck her in.” The words prickled my ear drums. “Tuck her in.”
I backed up from the shutters.
A cold chill zipped up my spine.
There was something to this, but I wasn’t sure what yet.
What the hell is on the balcony?
Now, I was happy that they had the shutters on the windows. It was strange to think, but maybe I didn’t want to truly know what was out there.
My phone rang, making me jump.
Edging away from the curtains, I pulled my phone out and answered, “Hello.”
Don Enzo’s voice rode the line. “You’ve ordered an army of men to come to Paradise. Is everything going well?”
“It is. I wanted the extra protection for my fiancé.”
“Hmmm. Things must be going well. You’re protecting her.”
“I am. She’ll be my wife.”
“Still, I thought it would be difficult to convince you to do this.”
“It was, until I saw her.”
“Beautiful?”
“And strong. They’re just not letting her be.”
“Tell me more, nephew.”
“I’m spending the night in the Killer Crows mansion.”
A hint of humor hit his next words. “Very interesting indeed. What brought that on?”
“I don’t like the way her people treat her.”
“She’s new and young. They think they have someone they can push around. Can they, Santino?”
“No. She has a wild beast inside of her, just waiting to claw itself out, but she won’t let it escape.”
“Due to honor?”
“And loyalty to blood.”
“This is why you called in your soldiers?”
“Yes.”
“Very interesting indeed.”
Silence hit the line.
I left the shutters, not willing to deal with whatever was going on. “What are your plans for the Killer Crows?”
“I’m not sure about them, but the Syndicate must go. Yet, while I have plans for Paradise, I do hope that this city will one day be yours. I would feel more comfortable if you settled somewhere.”
“I understand.”
“Therefore, this is your city to conquer.”
I gritted my teeth. “You know that when I conquer, blood is shed.”
“I do.”
“How much of your backing do I have on any actions here?”
“You have all of the DeLuca family at your disposal if you need it. Are there people that you already want to kill?”