Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“Wow,” she said.
“I live to surprise you, baby.”
“So, they’re safe?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you. I-I tried, but my dad never listened.”
“I listen,” Drago said. “Selma, I will answer any questions you have for me, but all I ask is that you be prepared for the answers. There are some things you’re going to fucking hate, and other things that will break your heart. Got it?”
“Yeah, I got it.”
She took a deep breath. “You said that my dad kept my presence … hidden.”
“Selma, you’re not going to like the answer to this.”
The car came to a stop. They had been talking for a long time now, and she had a feeling her father had truly taken care of the people who’d looked after her in the way he always had—death.
She had thought about it a few times, and that was the only conclusion she had come to. There was nothing else her father would have done or could have done to keep her presence hidden. She even thought that maybe her father had instilled fear into people, but there was only so much men and women would take before telling the truth. Her father must have killed them.
Drago pulled her against him and held her tightly.
“I’ve got you, baby. I’m not going to let you go.”
She didn’t want him to let her go, not ever. Selma had tried so hard to keep the tears at bay, but nothing could stop them as they fell from her eyes, dropping down her cheeks.
“Don’t, baby, please, fucking don’t.”
“That’s a lot of people, Drago.”
“I know.”
“How could he have done that?”
“Because he was a fucking coward.” Drago cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look at him.
“That’s my fault.”
“No, it’s not your fault.”
“But if I hadn’t been alive, my father—”
“Your fucking father would have found some way to hurt other people, baby. Trust me, this is not on you, and I will kill him if you blame yourself.”
Selma gasped and she happened to glance past his shoulder and as she did, she frowned. “I know this place.” She pulled out of his touch and then turned around to see the sign for the animal shelter. “Drago?”
“I know I can’t keep you at home, serving me all the time. I want to, but I’m not going to force the issue.”
“You brought me back?”
“Yes. I figured you could show me what you’re missing. Also, I wanted to give the maids a chance to earn their keep. You seem to have damaged multiple dusters, and it’s kind of driving them crazy.”
****
None of the maids had complained about his woman. Drago had only joked to lighten the mood.
There had been a few occasions over the past couple of months that made him want to kill George Kent. He kept a close eye on that son of a bitch. The man was having a hard time dealing with being the weaker one.
Drago had taken everything from him, and now he even worked for him at one of his casinos, but he wasn’t in charge. He had no intention of ever putting him in a position of power. George worked for one of the men Drago trusted.
He wanted George close in case Selma ever wanted to build a relationship with her father. So far, he hadn’t sensed any yearning to do so, and he wasn’t going to encourage it. He hated George, and the more he had come to learn about the older man, the more he hated him.
George had delved into human trafficking. Men and women had been forced into positions to earn George money. Drago had seen firsthand that kind of shit growing up on the streets, and he’d always hated it.
Over the years, as his reputation grew and his turf expanded, men and women alike had reached out, hoping to make deals for people. Drago always surprised them and made it his mission to shut them the fuck down. Some people would attempt to joke that he was a bad man with morals. They never finished laughing.
Climbing out of the car, he saw the excitement on his wife’s face. He hadn’t seen that look on her face before. She grabbed his hand and pulled him along. It was easy to keep up with her, even though she was rushing in her excitement.
Stepping into the main shelter, he noticed how clean it was, but it was only the reception. There was an older woman on the front counter who gave a little squeal and rushed around to pull Selma into a hug.
“Damn it, Selma, I have missed you.” The older woman gave her a squeeze. “I was close to calling the cops but then I was told you had a family emergency, and then I heard rumor of marriage, or something.”
“I was married,” Selma said. “Eve, I’d like you to meet my husband, Drago Jones. Drago, I’d like you to meet the woman who rather than retire, decided to open a shelter for dogs and cats.”