Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“It looks the same as always,” she murmurs. “I half expected bodies lying everywhere.”
I bring the SUV to a stop, and when I get out, Davies comes out onto the porch.
“It’s about damn time,” he says. “Why the fuck did you send that shithead here. Tobias is as dumb as a rock.”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “That’s why I sent him to you. You have more patience than me.”
“You did it to get back at me for punching you, didn’t you?” Davies chuckles as he walks closer to us.
I take hold of Cassia’s hand and tug her closer to me.
“Hi, Davies,” she greets him. “Thank you for taking care of everything here.”
“Just doing my job, ma’am. I have men stationed all around the property. The security is tighter than a Nun’s –”
“Davies!” I snap before he can say pussy.
He lets out a chuckle.
“Give me thirty minutes, then meet me in the office so we can talk,” Cassia says. “Bring the other two as well.”
“Other two?” Davies asks.
“Miller and Saunders,” I tell him.
Cassia pulls her hand from mine and walks to the rosebed that runs along the front wall of the house. When she tries to pick one, I pull the knife from my boot and step closer.
“I’ve got it,” I say before cutting the stem and handing her the rose.
“Another one, please.”
I cut a second one off for her, and as she takes it from me, she says, “Thanks.”
Then she places one down on the lawn right where we’re standing. She walks around the side of the house, and I follow her like a shadow. Only when we reach the back wall and she places the other rose on the ground, do I realize it’s the two spots where her mother and sister were gunned down.
As we walk toward the backdoor, she glances at the men stationed in the yard, then asks, “Are they as good as you?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think they’re open to working here on a permanent basis?”
I think for a moment. “I’m not sure. Some of them should be okay with it as long as they get time off to go home to visit their families.”
She nods as we enter the kitchen.
“Will you be okay living here?” she asks, her tone too emotionless for my liking, but I understand she’s putting on a brave face in front of the others.
“Yes,” I reply.
When we reach the bottom of the stairs Cassia stops for a few seconds to glance at the floor before we continue down a hallway.
She opens a door, and I follow her into an office. Taking a seat behind the desk, she pulls a laptop closer and opens it.
I glance over everything in the office before looking out the window into the front yard.
I hear her typing and turn around to ask, “What are you doing?”
“Checking my father’s emails and sending out word that I’m now in charge.”
I nod, then take a seat on one of the open chairs. “You said Savvas has access to the bank accounts. Have you checked whether he took any money?”
“That day I booked myself out of the hospital, I transferred all the funds to my personal accounts for safekeeping. I’m surprised he hasn’t asked me about it.”
“It’s probably all part of his act to try and fool you,” I mention.
“Probably,” she mutters, her eyes glued to the screen.
“Anything I can help with?”
She glances up as she nods. “I’m going to give you access to the bank accounts. Can you make sure the mercenaries all get paid?”
“I’ve already paid them.”
“What?” she gasps. “The agreed-upon amount?”
I nod, bracing for her to freak out.
“Wow. Thank you.” A smile wavers around her mouth. “Well, once you have access to the accounts, just transfer the money back to yourself.”
“You’re not upset?” I ask.
“Of course not. We’re a team.”
My lips curve up. “I like the sound of that.”
“Yeah?”
As I nod, there’s a knock at the door. I glance over my shoulder and watch as Davies, Miller, and Saunders come in.
Davies drops down in the chair next to me while Miller and Saunders remain standing.
“Thanks for meeting with me,” Cassia says while taking a moment to look at each of the men. “I have an offer to make you.”
A smile splits over Saunders’ face. “If the offer pays as well as this gig, I’m in.”
“No, it doesn’t,” I mutter before Cassia can agree. “You’ll be paid the usual amount.”
“Let’s hear it,” Miller says.
“I’d like to offer you permanent positions. You’ll each be given a month a year so you can visit your families and get some rest. Otherwise, I want around-the-clock security at the mansion.” She gives them a hopeful look. “I plan to get married and have children. I want them protected, and Knight says you’re as good as him.”
Before she can get another word in Davies bursts out laughing. “I don’t know what shit he’s been telling you, but I’m better than him. I’m practically half titanium, half bionic man.”