Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Consider it done.”
“Good.” Ivan snapped his fingers, bringing an end to the conversation, and then he walked away.
Ive looked back into the cell and I moved closer to him.
“What do you think?” I asked.
“I think she’s going to be a handful.” He ran a hand over his face. “How is married life treating you?”
“Fine.”
Ive looked at me with a raised brow. “Just fine?”
“Yeah, just fine.” It wasn’t just fine but I’m not the kind of guy who talks about his feelings with every person I meet. “Good luck.”
I have my suspicions about Ivan’s plans. I think he’s going to make Ive and Lottie marry. I don’t think he’s going to kill her, but then this is Ivan, he could change his mind at a moment’s notice.
Leaving the cell, I make my way outside where Leo is standing by the car. He hasn’t fucked up at all. I know he feels ashamed for being manipulated by my wife. Ignoring him, I climb into the back of the car and pull out my cell phone.
Clicking on the security app, I check in on my wife and find her sitting on the sofa, arms folded, looking a little pissed off. She didn’t like me hiring someone to take care of her. She also didn’t like that Leo wasn’t playing guard to her either. The moment the doctors had said she could go home, I’d made the necessary arrangements, but she didn’t understand why I wouldn’t allow Leo to take care of her.
I type a message to her.
Me: Cheer up.
I wait to hear back from her and I don’t have to wait long.
Adelaide: I’m bored. There’s a big surprise.
I can’t help but smile.
Me: I’m on my way home. What do you want for dinner?
Adelaide: Nothing.
Me: Attempting to starve yourself?
Adelaide: I just don’t feel very hungry.
Taking a deep breath, I don’t know what to say to that, so I pull up the image on the app and watch her.
Anna moved toward Adelaide, taking a seat on the coffee table. I didn’t turn up the volume, but I see my wife’s stiffness. Anna’s smiling, her usual sweet self. That’s why men kept returning to the tables. Not just to gamble away their money, but to be near her. I had to wonder if Anna would have made better money in one of my many brothels, but she had a knack for distracting customers and was damn good at math. I know she could have easily been married off multiple times, but she refused each offer, not wanting to be tied down to a man. Her husband had sure done a number on her.
I closed the app, sat back, and watched the city go by.
Bethany was still out there, not suffering. She hadn’t reached out yet, but this is all part of the plan. Nathan is already in Oleg’s territory, working the fighting circuit, gaining a reputation. He sent me regular updates of his progress. I still didn’t like him but Ivan was convinced we could use him. No good would come from him, I could guarantee it.
I tell Leo to head straight for the penthouse suite. I’m looking at houses to move Adelaide into. When she is fully recovered, I have every intention of getting her pregnant again. I’d not considered myself father material before, but thinking of having a child with her filled me with something close to yearning.
Rubbing at my eyes, I try to clear my mind, but the truth is, I need to kill. Taking out the shooter hadn’t quenched my thirst, and every day I’m with Adelaide makes me want to murder her sister even more. Whenever she asks about her parents, I get this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that won’t go away, and it pisses me off more than anything.
All I want to do is protect her. With our enemies constantly looking for a weakness, the risk to her life is ever increasing.
Leo arrived at the parking lot, and I climb out of the car and head toward the private elevator. We still don’t speak as we ride up to my floor. Terrance is there, holding himself firm. I nod in his direction, relieving him. Leo would take over now.
I hear Anna’s laughter as I enter the apartment. This is why she’s so popular within the casino. She is pure seduction. She has this way about her that puts everyone at ease.
Entering the main sitting room, I can see Adelaide is not at ease. This is a surprise to me. My wife is so nice, she is so calm and collected, and yet here she was, showing no signs of easing up on Anna, who was just trying to be a friend to her.
“Mr. Belov,” Anna said. “Are you here to stay?”
“Yes.”
“I will get going then. Same time tomorrow, Adelaide.”