Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 90590 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90590 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
He turned and left the cell. Showing me his back was supposed to show me he didn’t fear me. But he was still limping slightly even if he was trying to hide it. I followed him cautiously, still wary of his motives. Outside in the long corridor, waited the tall, tattooed man who’d taken me to the cell.
Luca gave him a nod, and I half expected Growl to pull a gun and put a bullet through my head. Instead, he motioned for me to follow him. He carried a bunch of clothes under one arm. I looked around but didn’t see anyone else. Luca still watched me with an assessing expression. He thought I wasn’t good enough for his daughter but I’d prove him wrong, but more than that, I was going to prove to Marcella that she could trust me.
The guy, Growl, stopped inside a washroom and put the clothes down on a bench in front of a row of lockers. The shower stalls were clean and fairly modern. Luca and his men probably showered here after they were done torturing their enemies. I still carried Earl’s and also my blood on my skin, mixed with sweat and grime and dirt. I began to peel off my shirt when I realized Growl leaned against the wall, not really watching me, focused on the screen of his phone.
“Are you going to keep an eye on me so I don’t do anything stupid?” I asked wryly.
He nodded.
I winced. A part of the shirt had gotten stuck to a wound under my ribs. With a tug, it came off. “Fuck,” I muttered when blood began to trickle out.
“Should get stitches,” Growl murmured.
I cocked an eyebrow. “Yeah, thanks. I was busy rotting in my cell.”
Again a nod.
“So you took care of the dogs?”
“They deserve a better life.”
“Thanks.”
Growl nodded. “Luca’s trust must be earned. I used to be the enemy. Now I’m not.”
I got out of my remaining clothes. “Not sure he really wants to try.”
“If he wanted you dead, you’d be dead, so he gives you a chance that few people get. Don’t mess up.”
I stepped into the shower with a groan.
Thirty minutes later, I followed Growl outside. The jeans and shirt were a bit too small for my tall frame. They obviously weren’t Growl’s. To my surprise, Matteo Vitiello waited in the driveway beside a bike. A sleek black Kawasaki.
“Don’t mess this up,” Growl said as way of goodbye.
I headed for Matteo who was apparently waiting for me. “Growl’s not the most communicative guy, is he?”
Matteo’s grin became challenging. “I suppose you’ll be seeing more of Growl once you start working with us.”
It was obvious he didn’t think I would.
“Looks like it. Maybe you can call a cab for me since my phone and bike are ashes.”
“Where are you heading?” he asked, still with that smile that made me want to knock him out.
“I need to take care of business and check on my mother.”
“What kind of business? Meeting old friends?”
“My old friends are dead or out for my blood,” I said with a harsh smile. “But there are a few old funds I’d like to save before someone else does. I’m all out of dimes right now. And I sure as fuck won’t borrow it from the Famiglia.”
The calculation and distrust in Matteo’s eyes really set me off. After days in a stinking cell with hardly any food and water, I wasn’t in the mood for bullshit talk. He didn’t have to like me or trust me. All that mattered was that Marcella did.
Matteo motioned at the Kawasaki. “You know what, why don’t you take my bike. It’s not a Harley but it’ll take you wherever you need to go.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You’re giving me your bike.”
“I’m sure you’ll bring it back once you’ve taken care of business.” His voice made it clear he thought I’d run off and never come back. I took the keys that he held out.
“Thanks. I’ll take good care of it,” I said with a forced smile. “Do you need me to call you a cab?”
Matteo flashed me a grin. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll catch a ride with Luca.”
Of course, the Capo was still around somewhere. They’d probably have a meeting once I was gone to discuss me, maybe even send someone after me to check if I was doing anything against the Famiglia.
“Once you’re back, there’s a lot to discuss. If you want to be with Marcella, we have to make arrangements for the engagement and wedding, change your wardrobe and give you a few lessons in etiquette so you can become part of her social circles.”
He was baiting me, the asshole. As if he or Luca wanted me to marry Marcella. Unfortunately, his words had the intended effect. My body bristled at the mere idea of what he’d said. I didn’t want to be groomed into someone else. Fuck, marriage had always seemed unnecessary in my mind.