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)
“He did?” I blink rapidly at her. I knew Evander was dealing with something and seemed a little bit more relaxed, but he hadn’t told me about this.
“Totally. Some brutal stuff, apparently. Really won the respect of the soldiers.”
“Huh.” I glance over my shoulder. “Which means what, exactly?”
“They’re all saying the war’s basically done now. I mean, the Famiglia isn’t finished, but nobody’s been fighting for the last day or two because the Italians are panicking and killing each other. Evander didn’t tell you any of this?”
“No,” I say quietly. “We’ve been dealing with some other stuff.”
“Fucking like rabbits, I bet.”
“Phel!”
“Just saying, a healthy sex life is key to a loving, lasting relationship.”
“Your sage-like insights are amazing as always.” I finish my coffee and push back from the counter. “I should head back and have a chat with my husband.”
“Don’t be too hard on him. Or do, make-up sex is the best.”
“Bye, Phel.”
“Stop by again soon!” She waves as I walk off.
I poke my head into the kitchen to say bye to Demetrios before taking the back way into the alley. Once I’m outside, I stare at the ground, trying to work out what I just learned.
Evander didn’t tell me about killing Don Pavone, but I don’t want to jump to any conclusions. I can see how that might’ve slipped his mind, what with his cousin nearly smothering me with a pillow. He came home that night looking like something big happened, looking more relaxed than he had in a while, and we spent all evening having sex. And in the morning, Sophia tried to kill me, then that whole trial-banishment-whatever thing happened, then more sex in the steam room, and more sex all night—
I can understand how he never got around to telling me.
But what does this mean?
Is the war totally over?
Am I safe?
My head’s in a million places, and I don’t notice the person watching me until he speaks up.
“Camille. Hey. Don’t freak out.”
I look up sharply and take a step back.
Christopher’s standing near the end of the alley. His hands are in the air, showing me his palms, and he’s slowly coming toward me.
I want to scream.
Fear lances into my chest. Fear so dark, so intense, that I can’t move.
With Sophia, I could fight back. I tried to fight back anyway.
But with Christopher, my entire body locks down like it used to.
No, no, no, this can’t be happening, this can’t be real. I thought Don Pavone was dead. I thought the war was over.
This has to be some kind of delusion.
But no, he’s here, and I don’t know what to do.
“I know things are bad between us, but hear me out,” he says, stopping ten feet away. “I just want to talk. Please, Camille, just—”
The door bangs open and Alonzo comes out, gun raised. He aims it at Christopher, holding steady, placing himself between the two of us. I stagger away, breathing hard, and it’s like I come back into my body with a sudden rush.
“Back the fuck off,” Alonzo barks, bristling with rage as he jabs the end of the gun at Christopher’s face.
Christopher’s eyes widen, but he doesn’t move. He keeps staring at me with this sad, pleading look, and something doesn’t sit right.
Why would he show up like this? Why now? He knows the diner is full of Greek soldiers. He knows I have guards. Why just walk up to me like this, no weapons, no nothing?
Slowly, Christopher drops to his knees as Alonzo barks at him not to move, to keep his hands up.
“Wait,” I say, my voice cutting through the tension. I have to say it twice before Alonzo looks back at me. “Hold on a second. Something’s off about this.”
Alonzo pauses. He looks at me uncertainly. “Evander’s been looking for this man. I can’t just—”
“Give me a second. Please, just one second.”
“You know I can’t let you talk to him. If Evander found out—”
“He won’t. Please, this is important.”
Alonzo’s jaw works. But slowly, he steps back. “I’m not going anywhere, but if you want to talk, then talk.” He glares at Christopher. “If your hands so much as move, I will kill you.”
Christopher lets out a breath. “Camille. Honey—”
“If you call me that again, I’ll tell Alonzo to shoot and save us all some freaking stress.” The words come out in a rush and it feels good to hold power over this man.
This abusive piece of shit.
This awful, terrible monster, this nightmare.
For so long I’ve lived in fear of him.
I was nothing when I ran. I was a stupid kid, naive, inexperienced.
But I’m so much more now, and staring into the eyes of my abuser, I’m sure of one thing.
I’m afraid.
I’m so fucking terrified.
But I am stronger than I’ve ever been, and I will not back down.
“The Famiglia’s got it out for me,” Christopher says in a rush. “They’re coming for me, Camille. Them, and your husband, and basically the whole fucking city of Chicago. I can’t get out. I can’t fucking run. I need help. I’m desperate.”