Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
My toes curl in my boots and I release the front of his shirt to wrap my arms around his neck. He palms my ass and pulls me into him as he devours my mouth. I’m so confused. Our daughters? This is not the Gio I left behind.
I whimper into his mouth and pull away. He places his lips against my forehead. I shake my head to clear it.
“That’s low, Gio.”
“When have you known me to ever be cruel to you? Everything has changed. Let me show you. Come home.”
“I… I—”
I jump at the sound of the door closing. Looking around Gio, I see Jace standing by the door. My heart sinks. Here we are in our bubble while he’s on the outside. That’s not how things should be.
I place a hand on Gio’s chest and look up into his eyes. “My family asked me to spend the day with them doing charity. I’ve been hiding in here with Jace most of the day. We should do this later.”
“Later when, Ny? I’m here. I’m ready. Why are you being so stubborn?” Gio growls.
His phone rings, but he ignores it at first. We’re caught in a stare off for a beat. His phone stops, but Jace’s starts.
He picks it up and murmurs across the room for a bit. “G, you’re going to want to call Ming back.”
“We’re not done,” Gio says to me as he pulls out his phone and walks away.
I run a hand through the front of my hair. Can I be honest and say I’m terrified? Whenever I get what I want, my world implodes. I’m thrown back in time to losing my parents. I want to go into the corner and rock like a small child.
Jace comes and wraps his arms around me. He kisses the top of my head and gives me a squeeze. I turn and bury my face in his chest.
“We all have to let go of the pain at some point. He has his part in this, but it’s not all him. Some of the blame you’re placing on his shoulders doesn’t belong there.”
I know he’s right, but I’ve been hiding in the comfort of when life made sense for so long I don’t know how to compartmentalize anymore.
“Come on, let me feed you. Then we can help out and do our part,” Jace says.
“What did Ming want?”
“Do you really want to know?”
I roll my eyes. Probably not. I shrug and decide to leave this one alone.
Gio
“I’ve been doing as you asked and watching for Adrian Gustloff to show up in the system. They’ve got him.”
I don’t share that Talon already informed me he’d be picking him up. I need Ming to tell me everything she’s learned. When people know you’re aware of something, they start to leave details out. I need to know everything.
“Federal custody?”
“Yes, his father has lawyered him up, but it doesn’t look like he’s gotten him the best,” she replies.
“Good, make sure he’s in front of one of our judge friends. Someone who owes the Dollhouse. No bail and call in another favor to make sure he gets lost in the system.”
“I’m on it.”
“Good, this will bring our friend to me. I’m sure seeing his precious boy missing from the table during the holidays will drive my point home.”
“Anything else?”
I narrow my eyes at Bethany standing across the room, looking like the slush she is. She’s been showing her ass all day.
“You remember the unmarked pickup I asked for?”
“Yeah, got it downstairs in the garage of the Dollhouse.”
“Keep your phone close. Something tells me I might need that soon.”
“You got it.”
“Oh, and you can have that other thing dropped off in Henry Furta’s garage, Adrian’s best friend shouldn’t be left out of the fun.”
“Sure thing.”
I hang up, wanting to catch Ny in the office with Jace again before she can escape. However, as I step out into the open, I find her with Lizzy and Gwen, serving.
“We’re not done, baby. You’re coming home,” I mutter to myself.
Instead of heading for the office, I go to join my brothers. We’ve been fundraising all day. It won’t hurt to hang and horse around a bit like a normal family.
Hopefully they’ll see you did all this for them and understand. Or you could lose everything. A chance I’m willing to take. Let the chips fall where they may.
Chapter 25
Idle Threats
Gio
“What’s up with you and Lizzy’s sister? I saw you guys in the office,” Dante murmurs next to my ear.
“Didn’t I teach you about sticking your nose in things that are none of your business?” I say and pop him in the back of his head.
He tries to throw a jab at my arm, but he’s too slow. Dario comes up behind me and catches me with two jabs to the ribs. I turn swiftly, so I have them both in my sights.