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)
“If I knew who did this to him, I’d kill them.”
I nearly snort. He still doesn’t get this was all Gio. I never took him to be too bright in the first place.
“Well, that’s not the favor you asked for. Let’s talk about what I need from you. There’s a message I need you to give.”
My phone buzzes and I dig it out of my pocket. I smile as I look down at a picture of Ny, Car, and Holly. Yeah, this will be good for all three of them. Gio knows just what he’s doing.
Nyla
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have fun with Carleen and Holly. It was my first time going to Anima Mias. The place is gorgeous, and the food is even better.
However, it was the company that made the day great. Carleen was always a sweet little girl, she’s become an amazing woman. The way her face lights up when she talks about Dario is so telling.
“Good, you’re home,” Gio croons when I step off the elevator into the apartment.
“Have you been waiting for me?”
“You need to pack for a few days. You’re coming with me and Jace.”
“Where are we going?”
“I need to go see our friend. We’re going to Barbados.”
“When do we leave?”
“In the morning.”
“Really, Gio?”
He walks over to me and plants a kiss on my forehead. I grab hold of his open dress shirt and look into his eyes. He looks tired.
“I know it’s last minute, but I thought you’d like some time away, no matter how short. It will be good for all of us.”
Jace appears in the living room and laughs. “That’s code for pack your things or he’s going to tie you to our bed for three days.”
I laugh with him. “You heard that too?”
“Yup, but I can’t say I wouldn’t help him.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head. I guess I should go pack. Barbados sounds nice. I peck Gio’s lips and go to turn to pack.
He grabs my wrist to halt me. “You look happy. I want it to stay that way.”
“I get that. Thank you.”
Chapter 44
Bone Collector
Gio
We walk up to the table surrounded by stern-faced men. There’s no fear in my heart, but I can see how others might shit their drawers heading for this group. It’s the man sitting at the table in the center of them all who exudes power and danger.
“Big man. It’s gud to see yuh,” Kingston says, then brings a glass covered in condensation to his lips.
As warm and dry as it is, I wouldn’t mind a glass. The weather here is a far cry from the winter wonderland we left behind in New York.
“It’s good to see you too, Kingston.”
“Ah, ya brought ma friend. Come sit.”
I place a hand on Ny’s back and lead her to the seat next to Kingston. He stands and pulls Ny into a hug. He then pulls me into a one-arm embrace before doing the same with Jace. The men around us seem to relax.
We all sit and Kingston waves for the waitress to come over. When she does, we all order drinks. Kingston talks to Ny while our drink orders are taken.
Once the waitress walks away, he turns his focus back on me. “Yuh haf someting fa muh?”
“I have what I promised, but I have a few questions too,” I say.
“Go on, ask yer questions.”
“What do you know about the Kelleys? What do I need to know about them?”
I want to hear what he knows. I’ve had my eyes on the Kelleys for years, they’ve never been much of a threat from what I’ve seen. However, this hasn’t come up as a coincidence. And with what I now know, I’m positive Kingston will reveal something useful.
“Yuh mean da goatheads in America or the ones in der homeland?”
“I mean the ones threatening me.”
He leans forward and narrows his eyes. Something sinister flashes in his gaze and I get the feeling he’s not happy to hear this.
“Because yuh yuh, I’m not gine run dem down and crush everything dey love. Yuh tell muh wat yuh need and I’ll make it happen, yuh understand?”
He shrugs. “Ya friends der in New Jersey na’in to worry bout. The ones in der homeland dey ya take serious. Dey come knocking and yer gine haffi answer with ya whole heart, yuh understand?”
I nod. Now that makes more sense. It’s time I dig deeper into this long-distance relationship of Riccardo’s.
I pull a piece of paper from my pocket and slide it across the table. Kingston picks it up and looks at it. The fire that enters his eyes could set us all ablaze.
“There were two witnesses who disappeared, and their testimony was buried. According to both witnesses, Tristan Kelley was the shooting officer. Officer O’Connor was the one to cuff Steven and place him on the ground, where Kelley shot him in the back of the head.