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)
“Listen, Holly’s not going to go straight to Ma. She’s going to go wherever Ny goes. If that’s to Ma, great, if it’s somewhere else, that’s fine too. As long as I can track Holly, we’ll be able to find Ny.”
“When she calms down, she’s going to know you wouldn’t allow her to leave without knowing where she is.”
“Which is why I wanted Kamiko to follow her. A peace offering, if you will.”
“That way she knows you’re watching after her.”
“Exactly. Did she follow?”
“Yeah, I gave her the keys to my Ducati. Ny’s still going to be angry. You know that, right?”
“You let me worry about that. For now, get someone out here to scrape up that thieving, roasted cunt and get her off my property.”
“So he’s dead. It’s finally time?”
I pat Jace’s cheek. “It’s time.”
Nyla
I pace Holly’s apartment, waiting for her to show up. I came here once my temper cooled down. Gio is crazy, but he’s not that crazy.
The puppet master was in control of that situation. He knew my car was going to explode. Jace’s words come back to me.
You don’t see it, do you... You wouldn’t because he doesn’t want you to…He’s about to collapse the illusion. He’s setting the last pieces in place to lift the curtain. He’s about to end this one way or another… My guess would be there’s something you can’t know so when he blows it all up, your reaction is what he needs.
I place my hands on my hips and glare into space. “Son of a bitch. He played me.”
Gio always knows how to use my temper against me. However, the fact still remains, I just celebrated my fortieth birthday. This has all taken away my life. What do I do now?
I bite my lip and allow my brain to catch up to the facts before I plan my next move. The reality of the real danger I’m in from being with Gio sinks in for the first time ever.
The front door opens, and I spin with my guns drawn. Holly and Kamiko enter with their hands held up. I relax and put my guns away.
“He sent you both?”
“He sent me,” Kamiko replies.
Holly shrugs. “My place is with you.”
“No, he wants you with Ava. That’s where you’ll go.”
Holly sighs. “So what’s your next move? You know he killed that bitch for you. She’s the one who stole your ring, he’s been waiting for the opportunity to send her to slaughter.”
I grin. Gio’s not the only one who knows how to pull strings. “I’m going to finish my job. However, this time I’m going to make the choices and they’re going to be just like you.”
Loyal to me. Gio has had enough control over my life. It’s time I took the lead.
Riccardo is going to die.
Chapter 3
How You Are
Gio
“You ready to take that ride, Pacino?” my father scoffs as I walk back into the club.
I chuckle. “Yeah, all right. Let me get things settled here. I’m sure there’s going to be questions I should answer.”
I grab Ming’s wrist as she goes to walk by. “She took off in your car. Take the keys to my Coupe from my office. It’s downstairs in the garage.”
“Thanks. Do you need me to handle things with the police and fire department?”
I turn to look at my father and see the look on his face. Something in my gut tells me I need to go with him now. Maybe I’ll get some of the answers I’ve been waiting for.
“Yeah, you know what. I trust you. Be smart. Don’t answer more than you’re asked. Stick as close to the truth as you can.”
“I’ve got this. I’m not a newbie.” She smiles up at me.
I lean to kiss her forehead. “Thanks. I appreciate all you do, Ming. Remember that.”
“I know.”
I turn and nod at my dad. He turns and walks out of the club. Jace appears while we’re on our way out. I nod for him to follow us.
No one says a word until after we climb into the car and Dad pulls off. Dad. After all these years, that still sounds odd to me and it’s crazy that my brothers still don’t know. However, this man has been in all our lives like the father he is.
He has iced my busted lip after fights with Jace. He’s cleaned up my skinned knees from falls off my bike. Hell, he caught me with my pants down both times I brought girls around the house.
It was the reason I questioned Ma about whether or not he was my father. For as long as I can remember, Lucas has done all the shit a loving father does. Over the last twenty-four years, he’s been more help than I could have asked for.
“Where are we going?” I ask to get out of my head.