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)
Seed planted, I turn and leave. Now, I have a little doll to handle.
***
We’re riding back to the house when my phone rings. Seeing it’s an international number, I answer. It could be Ma. She calls from Secure lines when she needs to talk to me.
“Hello,” I say as I pick up.
“Ciao.”
I don’t know the voice so I’m quiet for a moment. “Ciao, con chi sto parlando?”
“Puoi rilassarti, cugino. Non chiamo un nemico, ma un amico,” he replies.
“Ah, Gianni. How you doing? I was wondering when you’d introduce yourself.”
“Uncle Giuseppe has spoken of me?”
“He has. What can I do for you, cousin?”
“Do you speak Gaelic?”
“A bit, I might be rusty. Although, I have others around me who do.”
“Brush up, my cousin, because your name has come up from the tongues of a few Irish men. I’m just looking out for family. I hope you remember this when I come to ask a favor.”
“Um, I guess we’ll have to wait to see how well my memory serves me. I’m sure it will go as far as the information given,” I say coolly while seething on the inside.
“Barbieri had a reason he wouldn’t allow for Riccardo’s demise. Translate this, cousin.” I place the phone on speaker and look over at Jace. “Tá an ceann dearg ceangailte. Le teagmháil a buachaillí cuirfear tús le cogadh. Is é an lámh deiridh a imreoidh sé.”
The line goes dead, and I sit stewing. Catching bits and pieces, I already know whatever he just said is a problem. When I look into Jace’s eyes, it’s confirmed.
Jace and Ny are the ones who’ve taken to Gaelic most. I skipped this one for Russian. Now, as I sit waiting for a translation, I wish I hadn’t.
“The redhead is connected. To touch her boys will start a war. It’s the final hand he’ll play.”
“Fuck, Barbieri wanted or had an Irish connection through Frances. Ma didn’t know this?”
“I doubt that. There has to be more. Who was that guy?”
“My cousin, Gianni Beneventi,” I reply as my thoughts spin.
That’s the second curveball I’ve been thrown. No matter, I’ll get answers and then it’s back to business. Although, I’m now in an even fouler mood.
“Some cocksuckers really feel they have enough balls to threaten me with war?” I nod to myself.
Okay, all right. Andiamo.
Chapter 30
Time to Speak Up
Nyla
It’s been a long day and a bath seemed like the logical thing to do. So here I sit with my headphones on in a bubble bath. I’m still reeling from the gift Gio sent to the house the other day.
I opened the big box, not knowing what to expect. My curiosity almost made me open it the other morning before the drive, but we were running late and as it was a work thing for Lizzy, I put it off. I’m glad I did.
Upon opening it, before leaving to come back here, I was floored by the gift inside. I spent about two hours in my feelings. Inside was a dollhouse.
I laughed at first until I looked closer at all the details. Inside sat a miniature me in the living room with what looked like Ming, Holly, Kamiko, and Alyona. Upstairs, inside the nursery, what I took to be a mini Gio sat with a little bundle in his arms and a mini Jace stood by the crib where another bundle rested.
The mailbox outside the house read Di Lorenzo-Sorensen residence. Three cars were parked out front. It was so realistic and detailed. It was the type of thing Gio would have done way back when. Before he started to harden and become the man I left behind.
There was also a CD player and a mix CD. “Here for You” by SWV was the first track that played. I’m listening to it now as I remember our first time. I’m also trying to figure out what that dollhouse means.
Suddenly, I can’t breathe. My eyes fly open and meet with angry hazel ones. Gio has me by the throat as he steps barefoot into the tub like a panther. He’s fully clothed as he hovers over me.
The look in his eyes and the presence of his big body say so much. He seems to be so much bigger than his six-five, two hundred and ten pounds in this moment. I’ve never seen him look at me this way—so much hurt and anger. With his hand still around my throat, he pushes my headphones back and leans into my ear.
“Do you feel that? That’s how I felt when I thought the only two people I truly trusted in this world betrayed me. I couldn’t breathe.”
He presses the side of his face against mine, nuzzling my cheek. “Why do you insist on pushing me? Me,” he growls. “The man who’s doing everything in his power to bend the world to fit you.