Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Marco sighs. "You have a fair point. But I have one question."
"What?" I ask, curious if my words are sinking in.
"You talk a good game, but if that's the way you feel, why are you staying away from the party tonight? You say be who you are, but it seems you aren't practicing what you preach."
Everyone seems to wait silently, watching to see how I will react until I bark out a laugh. "You're going to be a thorn in my side, just like Niko and Victorio, aren’t you?" I groan, making them all laugh. "Fine. Let's get this over with so we can go check on our women."
I look around the room with an ache in my heart. I know Maxwell would love to be here tonight, but even though I miss him, this is the first time since his death that things have felt normal. I know my old friend. He would be happy for me. He would've loved Melina. I’m going to do everything I can to not disappoint Maxwell and my father. I want them both to be proud.
"I'm for that," Niko says as my phone's ring tone cuts through the air.
Zane's name flashes on my screen. I smirk, wondering if my girl is already so drunk that I need to pick her up and bring her home early.
"Zane, what—" My stomach drops when I hear the chaos on the other line.
"Boss, listen—” Static blooms across the connection as if his signal is weak. “We're under attack. We're holding them off, but there are at least fifteen…” It cuts off again and my heart beats hard against my chest.
“Zane!”
“They have assault rifles.”
The echoes of bullets flying make it hard to hear anything else.
"My wife—" I ask, panic cutting through me as my voice falters. The men in the room with me on their feet, already knowing something is off.
"I had Levi and one of Helena's bodyguards take them to the panic room, but it will be a bloodbath if we don't get some back up."
"We're on the way!" I yell, jumping to my feet.
All the men around me are on high alert.
I storm out of the office, yelling what I know to the guys who are hot on my heels. "The club is under attack. The girls are safe, for now," I bark. They are all firing off angry questions. I'm not responding. I’m too busy sending an emergency text with the club name and what’s going on to my soldiers, telling them to get there quickly.
I will find whoever is behind this. It could very well be Dracos, but it doesn’t matter. I'm going to kill every single person involved. I shouldn't have given the fuckhead time to plot. I should've stormed his compound and killed the bastard. I will now. I just hope that it's not too late.
melina
I think I might have a permanent smile on my face. I look around at the women that are sitting around a private table in Antonio’s club. For the first time in my life, I feel free and happy. Antonio can’t know the gift that he’s given me tonight. This is something that I’ve only read about in books. I feel like I have a tribe now—women that I can count on. I know I have my husband to thank for that.
Emilia told me that not only does he own it, but it's one of the hottest clubs in Miami. She was even impressed that he closed it for us to do this. She explained the weekends are always his busiest nights.
He shut it down for me and my friends. For a girl who was made to feel as if I was nothing more than dirt under the fingernails of my father, the lengths my husband goes to just to make me feel the opposite, means everything. Tears sting my eyes as I realize, I'm excited and looking forward to my future. My grin only intensifies as I look around. Angelina and Emilia chat while Zoe and Helen are laughing and the two of them seem to be a lot alike.
As for me, I’m enjoying my time with all of them, but I'd rather be home with Antonio. It’s amazing how quickly he has become the center of my universe, but it doesn’t change the fact that he is. I’d be happy spending every minute of every day with him.
I hear a cough and my gaze goes to Levi and Zane. They are hovering just beyond the table, alert and watching. Helen’s two guards are off to the side. One still looks like he’s pissed off at the world. I don’t exactly like him. If Antonio had someone that grouchy watching me, I’d ask for someone else.
Two other men are patrolling around the club. I can’t remember their names despite the fact that Zane introduced us when we came in. The older one with red hair has been at the house a lot. I need to make a note to get to know him. The security doesn’t stop there. I know Antonio has at least three others outside.