Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 53428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Kashmere took everything in. “All of this looks amazing and smells fabulous. I doubt I will have a problem with the menu.”
I swallowed the risotto ball. “I agree. You have quite a flair in the kitchen.”
“I told you.” Tomasso bobbed his head. “She is definitely coming with me.”
Julieta widened her eyes and began pointing to another dish. “These are my special fried mac and cheese bites.”
“Oh yes.” Kashmere grinned. “That will be a hit with the Killer Crows.”
“Perfect.” Juliet gestured to the other plate. “And these are mozzarella stuffed meat balls.”
Excited, I reached for one of those. “Fabulous.”
“Here are small squares of honey butter cornbread. Then, I decided to have fun with this one, it is a roasted red pepper and ricotta crostini topped with a caviar lime pork rib.”
“Oh wow.” Kashmere reached for that one. “With all these great hors d’oeuvres do we even need a sit down dinner?”
“God yes.” Horror covered Tomasso’s face. “You have not met all of the DeLuca men yet, but they are big guys that like to eat a lot.”
I nodded. “This is correct.”
Tomasso came closer to the table. “I would like you both to close your eyes.”
I frowned. “Must we?”
“Yes.”
Kashmere obeyed.
I groaned in annoyance, yet did the same.
Tomasso spoke, “Picture a massive tent near Dream Lake, and on the inside there is a lovely jazz band and tons of breathtaking decor done in red and gold.”
I smiled.
“There are two bars on each side of the tent, serving high-quality liquor. In the center, there will be a champagne fountain. We will have a caprese salad station right next to a fresh raw oyster bar. Of course there will be tons of hors d’oeuvres being passed around by waiters among the laughter and dancing. Then—”
A deep voice boomed. “Then, bullets spray everywhere, ripping bodies apart and spilling blood all over the silverware.”
What?
I opened my eyes.
Kashmere had her eyes open and her mouth parted in shock.
Gypsy strolled in with a long red rose in his hand. Four men flanked him, pointing their guns at us, Tomasso, and even Julietta.
What the hell happened to our guards outside?
Chapter 9
The Tasting
Kashmere
Terror moved through my body, but I wouldn’t let Gypsy see it.
Instead, I glared at him. “Did you kill Dane and Rue?”
Holding some stupid rose, Gypsy grabbed a chair from another table and brought it over to ours, then he sat down as if we had invited him to join our tasting. “You just lost your brother and sister. Why would I get rid of more people that are close to you?”
Relief poured over me.
Gypsy raised the rose and sniffed at the petals. “I remember that you loved the scent of roses.”
I noticed two men targeting their guns at Santino’s head and gritted my teeth. “Do not shoot anyone, Gypsy.”
“As long as he remains silent, there will be no need for anyone to die.”
Under the table, I slowly placed my hand on Santino’s lap. I could already feel the rage radiating off him.
Please, stay quiet for now, baby.
Gypsy’s other two men moved closer to Julieta and Tomasso. The poor woman shrieked and shivered.
Meanwhile, Tomasso appeared annoyed. Clearly, he was used to having guns pointed at him.
Gypsy twisted the rose in his hand and gazed at the petals. “The red rose has been in tons of literature and lots of poetry.”
My heart boomed in my ears. “What do you want, Gypsy?”
“A red rose symbolizes romance and passion.” Gypsy moved his gaze to me. “If the rose is a deep red, this can be a sign of the giver being ready for a deeper commitment.”
As soon as I get a chance, I am going to fucking kill you.
Gypsy placed the rose on the table in front of me. “I give this rose to you, Kash.”
Santino leaned forward, but at least he did not say anything.
Gypsy turned to him. “Do you know how many times I’ve made her moan from my cock?”
Fast, Santino rose.
One of the men shot by the wall near him. It didn’t hit Santino’s arm, but it was a clear warning to sit back down.
However, Santino remained standing.
My hands shook. “Please, Gypsy. If you truly care about me, then you will not hurt him.”
“That is the only reason why he is still alive at the moment.” Gypsy watched Santino. “I ask that you respectfully sit back down, before my kindness shifts to fury.”
Santino sneered and lowered back down in the chair next to me.
Gypsy placed his view on the table and grabbed one of the squares of honey buttered cornbread.
“I had men watching you today.” Gypsy popped the square into his mouth and munched on it. “They say you met with the Diamond Syndicate.”
“I did.”
Swallowing, he bobbed his head. “Very good. This cornbread should definitely be at our wedding reception.”
I stiffened. “Killer Crows had nothing to do with Pedro’s. . .death.”