Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Are you sure?” I ask quietly, but clearly. “ 'Cause if I find out that you know something that could help us, there won't be enough left of you to identify for your funeral.”
She draws a sharp, fearful breath, then nods so frantically that I'm amazed her head doesn't come right off. “I swear. You're right. I did tell things to Dario. I didn't have a choice. He's… well, he's in a position to force me to do things, and I'm so, so sorry. I never thought it would go this far.”
“Tell me. Everything.” I casually polish the gun barrel with the edge of my shirt. It doesn't need it, but it keeps her attention there. Reminds her that actions might have consequences.
She sighs and looks away. “My family owes Dario's a lot of money. Like a lot. Loans aren't really done within the Family, not in the open, but Dad was in a bind, and Dario's dad offered. It's all hush hush, of course, because if Papa found out they'd both be in trouble. But then things didn't pan out the way Dad thought, and he didn't make back the money he needed. If there's anything worse than taking loans in the Family, it's not paying what you're owed. We could be kicked out. The Fabbris have had us in their pocket for a couple of years now.”
“So you betrayed your best friend. Or was she ever a friend? Did you set her up from the start?”
“What? No! No, we’re friends.” She sighs. “Were, at least. Since we were young. For Dario, I always did the absolute minimum. He hated that he didn't know where Alessa lived, so he forced me to tell him. Otherwise, he was going to make sure Dad didn't make it. I don't think he came by often, and never so she saw him, but he had to know. It drove him crazy not knowing something about Alessa.” Her voice quavers, like she's about to cry. Can't say I feel much sympathy.
“When did he find out about Isabella?”
“Not until she was here. All Dario asked for before was where Alessa was and the occasional picture. Since he didn't ask about a baby, I didn't tell him.”
“So why did you tell him at all?” snarls Bear. It takes very specific things to make him furious, but once he's there, he's only a few steps away from going feral. And fucking with his friends and family is one of those things.
She swallows hard. “He threatened to have Dad shot. Now that he's gone rogue, there's nothing holding him back. He said he would murder my father if I didn't give him something more.” Tears roll down her face, but I don’t give a fuck. Traitor. She shakes her head slowly, sobbing now. “He saw you guys at the apartment, and then you came here, and then you took the bullet for her. He wanted to know what made you guys so determined to protect her. And I couldn't afford to be caught in a lie. Dad's life could depend on it, and I thought she was safe! She should’ve been safe!”
It's a shit situation. I get that she has no loyalty to us, but it's the mother of my kid she's betrayed. Fuck. “No wonder you worried about her going on the bike ride. Were you the one that fucked up Viking's bike?”
“Dario sent me really specific instructions. God, I'm so sorry. I was so worried that I might've killed someone.”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” says Eagle-eye. “I knew letting outsiders into the club was a goddamn mistake.”
“We can’t exactly seal the gates. It’s going to fucking happen,” King says.
“I know. I'm not about to change anything but a guy can wish, right? We deal with the situation we have. I'm just fucking sick of having to commit the whole damn club to saving yet another girl that you guys have fallen for.”
Jupiter whines at his feet, sensing the mood. Eagle-eye talks a tough game, but no one cares more about the members of this club than he does. He’s mellowed out a little with age, but even I wouldn’t fuck with him for real. There's a reason no one's challenged his position as club prez for many years.
So when Eagle-eye crouches to give Jupiter the scritches he deserves, no one's surprised when he asks, “So who do we have to take out so I can stop thinking about this shit? It's time to start pointing some guns.”
Beatrice looks up and wipes at her eyes. “I know you have no reason to trust me, but I might be able to help.”
“You’ll be fucking lucky if we don’t put a bullet through your skull,” growls Viking. “The fact that Alessa loves you is the only thing that's keeping you breathing. Don't push it.”