Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Maybe it was better this way.
Alessio’s expression was on the verge of boredom as he walked by my side. He had the same cold demeanor as his father even if he didn’t look like him. Especially his more pronounced, slightly crooked nose didn’t bear any resemblance to the Falcone nose. Maybe someone had broken it in a fight.
His eyes slanted up to me, calculating. “Don’t try anything.”
I sent him a hard smile.
“Who have we here?” Nevio’s voice echoed through the hallway and I grabbed my knife.
Nevio and Massimo headed our way. I couldn’t assess the latter. Our interactions had been too sparse but the look in his eyes was like a snake waiting to strike. Nevio definitely looked like he had every intention of turning this bloody. I was ready. Fresh stitches covered his left forearm. I’d aim there first, an easy target.
Alessio shook his head and stepped in their way. “What the fuck? You know what our fathers said. Let this drop, Nevio.”
“Since when are you so eager for peace?” Massimo asked. All three of them were dressed in black as if they were part of some creepy, gothic boyband. Seeing them together I realized that Alessio was the shortest. Even Massimo who was a year younger had an inch on him. Nevio was almost my height so he towered over them.
Alessio turned to his brother. “You should know better.”
“I do,” Massimo said as if he couldn’t care less. “But I’m not going to stop Nevio.”
“Then I’ll do it,” a familiar voice said. I turned to find Greta coming down the stairs, a huge black dog at her side. She held him by the leash but I couldn’t imagine her being strong enough to hold him back if he attacked. I had to admit the thing looked more impressive than a Rottweiler. In her arm she cradled what looked like a white Flokati with a black nose.
She was dressed in an oversized white knit sweater with short sleeves and cut-off jeans that revealed her slim, tanned legs.
“This isn’t how we treat guests,” she said firmly as she came to a stop between me and the unholy trinity. She didn’t look at me.
“He’s not a guest,” Nevio said.
“Nevio,” she said in an imploring voice. She dropped the leash and the dog actually sat down as if that was his commando, then she approached her crazy twin. He slanted me a warning look before he looked down at Greta.
I forced myself not to look at her legs, but when she stepped on her tiptoes and her slim muscles flexed, I couldn’t help but stare. She whispered something in Nevio’s ear. He didn’t look happy in the slightest, but he nodded then jerked up his chin at Massimo.
“Keep an eye on him. No roaming around,” Nevio ordered Alessio before he and Massimo finally disappeared. I didn’t trust Nevio to have given up.
Greta sighed and picked up the leash. I might as well have been air for her. “Come, Bear.”
“Where are you going?” Alessio asked her.
“Taking Bear and Momo outside so they can relieve themselves. Bear will protect me, so don’t worry.” Before she headed out, her eyes slanted to me for a moment and my heart almost jumped out of my chest. I definitely wasn’t air.
“Take a piss,” Alessio said motioning toward the bathroom.
“I don’t take orders from you.”
He shrugged. “Then piss your pants.”
Maybe I could just knock him out. Dad would probably hang me by the balls if I did that. I headed into the bathroom, trying to figure out a way to get Greta alone again with all the Falcones following me around.
I leaned against the door.
“Alessio, you have to help me. Momo ran off again. I think he headed for the basement. Can you go looking for him? Dad will be angry if I go down there again,” Greta said.
“Fuck, Greta. I need to watch Vitiello.”
“Please, Alessio.”
A hard knock sounded. “If you’re done with your piss, you head straight back to the office!”
Steps rang out and then a soft voice sounded right in front of the door. “I’m outside at the pool at the back.”
I closed my eyes briefly. What was I doing? I unlocked the door but Greta was already gone. Checking my surroundings, I headed outside as I kept my hand loosely on the holster with my gun.
I knew it was a horrible idea to seek Greta out. Her family, especially her crazy brother would throw a major fit, and I was about to marry Cressida. A thousand reasons spoke against talking to her, but I couldn’t stay away. I needed to see her again, to hear her voice. I wasn’t sure what the hell was wrong with me. I’d never felt so incapable of controlling myself.
I walked around the house where a big pool landscape illuminated the night.