Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry, your family owns an entire city block, and you turned a whole-ass house… into a gym?”
He’s trying not to smile. “It’s a nice gym.”
“Jesus Christ,” I say softly and try not to laugh out of sheer awkwardness. “I knew you were rich, but—”
“The oasis is a necessity,” he says and glances at the man driving the car before looking back at me. “My family is always in danger. We had to carve a space for ourselves, a place where we can be sure that we’re safe no matter what. Yes, we have comfort, and we have money, but we have all these things because we have no choice.”
“Poor guy. I feel so sorry for you.”
He sighs and I can tell the driver’s trying not to laugh.
“I’m just trying to warn you. Everyone in the oasis is a member of the Famiglia and they’re loyal to my family. You’ll be safe, and you don’t have to worry if you see a bunch of guys walking around with guns.”
I try not to show my discomfort. “Sure, that sounds totally reasonable. An entire city block swarming with heavily armed men. Not strange at all.”
“Glad you understand.”
I really don’t, but it doesn’t matter. We come from totally different worlds, and I’ve been fooling myself lately into thinking that Angelo’s just like all the other men at Cage. Maybe he’s got a wealthy and well-connected family, but that doesn’t make him different from anyone else.
Except his family is city block wealthy and they have a horde of heavily armed men wandering around their house like it’s no big deal.
I’m in a daze when we’re dropped off in front of a beautiful three-story Victorian. Angelo explains that this is his brother’s office, which is absolutely bizarre—it’s bigger than any house I’ve ever lived in, much less actually seen in this city. The interior is opulent, expensively furnished in a way that’s overwhelming. Marble floors, antique paintings and statues decorating plinths that look ancient. There’s a Greco-Roman thing going on with lots of draped velvet and gorgeous plants, and everything’s meticulously cared for. I find it hard to believe anyone works in this place. It feels like a museum.
“Be yourself,” Angelo says as he leads me down a hallway. We pass several quiet men standing silently off to the side in all black with little earpieces like they’re the freaking Secret Service. “Simon’s a reasonable person.”
I hold onto Angelo’s arm. My fingers dig into his muscle. “I think I’m going to pass out.”
He stops walking and steadies me. “Claudia?”
“No, I’m fine.” I blink a few times and take deep breaths. “I’m sorry, I’m just really overwhelmed right now.”
He looks worried. That’s probably not a good thing. “Listen to me. Just breathe, okay? I get it, this place is a little bit much. It’s meant to make you feel exactly the way you’re feeling right now, like we’re rich and powerful and you’re a puny little insect.”
“I wasn’t feeling like an insect, but oh my god—” I can picture a big, fancy boot stomping on my head. And yep, there it is.
Angelo hugs me against him. “You’ll be fine. Simon’s just a guy. Hell, he’s my brother. I grew up with the asshole. I saw him eat a worm one time on a dare. He’s just a guy.”
I suck in breaths through my nose. “Just a guy,” I echo. “A very rich, very dangerous—”
“Just a worm-eating guy.” He kisses my cheek. “You got this.”
I nod and follow him to an ornately carved door at the end of the hall, and I most definitely don’t got this.
Chapter 28
Claudia
I’m hustled into an office that’s about the size of my apartment. It’s fancy with rich furniture and bookshelves holding leather-bound volumes, but it isn’t like the rest of the house we just walked through. This place feels lived-in; the fireplace has ash around the bottom and there are papers piled up on one end of a couch in the corner. The drink cart is half-empty, and there’s a pair of shoes kicked under a chair.
Simon stands when we enter. He looks a lot like his brother, only older and slightly taller, with a head of dark hair and light eyes. I hang back as the two men greet each other and I sense more than a little tension between them—which Angelo neglected to mention.
“This is Claudia.” I’m presented to the Don like I’m a birthday present. “Claudia, this is my brother, Simon.”
“Nice to meet you.” He looks from me back to Angelo. “You didn’t mention there was a guest.”
“Claudia’s sister is deeply involved with Tommy.” Angelo steers me to a chair and sits me down. He takes the seat next to mine. Simon stays on his feet for a few seconds before sinking back with a sigh.
“And I’m guessing she’s here to corroborate the story you’re about to tell.” Simon glances at me again thoughtfully. “I haven’t heard of you or your sister.”