Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
I’m getting married to a gangster. Again. And some part of me thinks I need to tell someone in case I end up in a missing person’s report in the next few months.
A normal person would call their parents, or their friends, or post on social media, or do any number of normal person things.
Except I have no friends. Christopher made sure of that.
He refused to let me go out and see what few I had left from high school, and as the years passed, the texts slowly tapered off until they stopped coming entirely. I could reach out to my parents, but the thought of speaking with them makes my stomach do flips. I’d rather puke than hear my mother’s voice again. I’d rather jump off this balcony than listen to my father talk about the Phillies.
Which leaves me with nothing and nobody.
Except for Ophelia. I have her number, and although I haven’t used it, I stare at the listing in my phone for a second, wondering if we’re close enough for me to call her. Probably not, but a sudden wave of loneliness and desperation washes over me, and I punch the call button even though I know it’s weird.
She answers on the second ring. “Hey, Camille! I was just thinking about you. Is everything okay? You looked pretty upset when you left work earlier.”
“Hey, Phel, I’m okay I think. Just had to deal with some, uh, personal issues.”
“But you’re all right?” She sounds genuinely worried, and her concern makes a dull, happy glow build in my chest.
“Yeah, I’m totally fine.”
“Are you coming in tomorrow? Dad asked me earlier and I didn’t know.”
I hesitate, looking back over my shoulder. “Yes,” I say firmly, even though I’m pretty sure Evander will never allow it, but I’ll think of something. “I’ll be there. Maybe not at opening though.”
“No probs. I’m really happy you called to check in, I was seriously worried.”
“Hey, Phel, uh. I have a weird question.”
“After today I think we’re past the whole awkward phase of our friendship, so go ahead and shoot.”
I grin to myself. Friendship. That word turns the dull glow in my chest into a full-on fire. “Can you tell me everything you know about Evander?”
She cackles like that’s the funniest thing anyone’s ever said. “My god, girl, you’re insane. Like, you’re calling me to ask about the guy I caught going down on you earlier today? Shouldn’t you know him better than I do? No, don’t start apologizing, I absolutely love your psycho energy.”
I’m blushing like crazy, embarrassed beyond belief, but seriously, at this point, it can’t get any worse and I might as well push ahead. “It’s just that, I know he’s, you know, one of those guys. But I don’t actually know anything about the man.”
“I’m not really up on the hot gossip these days. The whole Kazan family stuff is a little too serious and boring for my taste. But, uh, basically, Evander took over the operation a few years back and I think it was pretty ugly for a while. I guess it was like…” She trails off for a second, leaving that thought unfinished.
“Like what?” I press and some part of me doesn’t want her to say it.
“Like a coup. You know.” She clears her throat. “And it was violent. But, hey, I don’t think it’s always like that, okay? Mostly the family’s boring. They run their businesses and do their stupid little crimes and eat too much food. They think they’re cool, but they’re honestly living in another century.”
“Right,” I say, suddenly feeling very exposed and dizzy. I have to grip the balcony to steady myself.
Evander took over his family in a violent coup. He didn’t mention that part of his ascension to power.
Suddenly, being here in his room takes on a much different tenor, and I wonder who exactly I’ve gotten myself mixed up with.
He has enemies, including in his own house, and now I think I understand why.
“Otherwise, I hear he’s pretty fair. You know, tough but fair. My dad likes him, even if he doesn’t like the way stuff went down back when Evander took power.” She laughs lightly like she’s discussing a hilarious TV show. “They say he’s a workaholic with no personal life. Or, well, that’s what my dad says. And that’s pretty much everything I know. Sorry it’s not more, but hey, you’re in a much better position to get to know the man than I am, right?”
“Totally,” I say, squeezing my eyes closed.
“Hey, you okay? I didn’t freak you out, did I?”
“No, it’s not that, I’m happy you told me. It’s just—” I pause for a second, feeling lightheaded. “I’m at his house right now.”
She’s silent for a long moment. Then she bursts out laughing. “God damn it, Camille, you’re calling me from the freaking Kazan family mansion? That place is like mythical in Chicago, and you’re literally inside of it right now? Seriously, girl, strong psycho energy, and I’m into it.”