Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56680 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56680 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“Just get on with it.”
“From our initial tests, it doesn’t look like the cause of the migraines and the episodes are physical. We’ll make deeper inquiries, of course, but so far, from initial scans, it would seem the cause is psychological.”
I swallow. It’s been a few years, maybe three, since this has been happening. Whenever I thought about the cause, I assumed there would be something physical, some misplaced piece of brain or a growth.
“So it’s just… me doing it to myself?”
“Like I said, we’ll keep looking. Otherwise, we can arrange counseling—”
“No,” I tell him. “I don’t need that. Thanks, Carter.”
I leave the room and walk quickly down the hallway. Luca is on his feet, hands in his pockets again, waiting.
“She wasn’t awake,” I tell him. “You don’t have to wait.”
“I’ve got some time.” Luca sits down. I sit next to him and pick up my coffee again.
“What did you want to see me about, anyway?” I say.
“It doesn’t matter now.”
“Business always matters.”
“It’s not business exactly,” Luca says. “It’s security for a day.”
“I’m listening…”
“For my cousin, Mia, and her man.”
I swallow, curling my hands into fists, almost trembling. “Why do they need security?”
“We’re dealing with the West Coast Marinos now. My uncle has introduced Vito and said he’s trustworthy, but we need to be sure there aren’t any threats.”
“Am I protecting them,” I say, “or watching Vito? Judging his character?”
Luca grits his teeth and lets out a breath. “I wouldn’t come right out and tell you to do that, Dante.”
I nod. “I got it. I’ll do it.”
“But your—”
“I’ll do it, Luca.”
After a moment, he nods. I wonder if I should’ve agreed to it so quickly. There’s a deep well of fire, rage, and hate just thinking about her going on a date with another man.
“I’ll get you the details for the date,” Luca says about twenty minutes later when he’s getting ready to leave.
“Sounds good.”
Once he’s gone, I take out my phone. Somebody tells me you’re going on a date.
Yeah, it could be you, Stranger.
I quickly go to the selfie camera and take an awkward photo of me staring down at the camera. She quickly types, You could try smiling.
I grin, but it’s sour. I could tell her why it’s so difficult to smile, but I don’t want to weigh her down. I don’t want her to have to be part of it.
How do you know about the date?
I’m working security, I tell her.
Is that why you got my number?
I got your number because I know a victim when I see one.
Whoa! I am NOT a victim, asshole.
I feel like she’s just reached through the phone and slapped me.
I didn’t mean it like that, but something’s wrong.
Says who, and who said you could pry?
Suddenly, I wonder if I went too far with the photo. I’m tired. My defenses are down. I’ve got psychological issues, apparently. Goddamn it.
I’m just trying to help.
Help by keeping me safe.
That’s something she doesn’t even have to ask me to do. She doesn’t even need to come out and say that. It’s hardwired into my bones, my everything. Nothing else is more important except Ma, I remind myself.
I’ll do that, miss.
Oh, it’s “miss” now, is it?
I figured I’d keep it professional, miss.
You’re a jackass, she texts and then sends a photo.
She’s holding the camera at arm’s length, smirking down at it, a fleck of blue paint on her cheek. She’s holding up her middle finger. The angle shows—fuck—her cleavage, the big round juiciness of her tits. I remember what Vito said at the house, thinking I was an uncle. I’m more than twice her age.
Fuck, fuck. When I see those big tits, I don’t care. I want to tear her shirt and free her juicy nipples. I’d spend so long just sucking them, rubbing them, making her tingly with the motion. Then I’d go down between her legs, feel her slickness—taste it, lick her, eat her, own her. I’d spank her plump ass, making it jiggle for me.
“You’re mine, Mia. Mine. Now fucking come on this dick.”
My mind whirs and aches. I almost want to black out, then wake up when I’m inside of her. She’s staring up at me with wide, lust-filled eyes. She’s biting down, nodding at me to fuck her harder. I thrust my dick into her tight heat, forcing her slick pussy to make creamy, excited noises. I own her with each thrust. I take her again and again.
My phone vibrates pulling me from my daydreams. It’s Luca. I need to be downtown in three hours, meaning I need to head home, wash, and change. Before I go, I visit Mom’s room, looking at her through the glass. She looks peaceful, even with all the wires and monitors around her.
I find Carter in his office. “I need to work. If there’s any change…”