Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 126682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
“Everyone is getting paid. You can take my word for it. Yes, the business is slow right now, but in a couple of weeks, we’re bringing in big money. That message comes directly from Saverio. I’m his wife, and that’s what I’m telling you. If anyone wants to question that, say so now.”
“Big money from where?” Ashes asks.
I face him. “That information doesn’t concern you. Saverio is working on it. He told me to convey the message. If any man here doesn’t believe me, come take it up with me in the office.” I look around the gathering. “Anyone?”
Dante glares at me, a muscle ticking under his eye. The men are quiet as I knew they’d be. None of them will dare to call me a liar to my face. No one is going to test my theory. Telling me I’m bullshitting them isn’t an insult Saverio will let slide. They may not have seen him since the attack, but they’re not going to risk the wrath of a man they both respect and fear, not unless they’re certain he’s lost his power.
“Good,” I say when the silence stretches. “Now, get back to work.” As they start to scatter, I add, “If anyone has doubts in the future, bring it to me instead of moping like children.”
They walk to the stairs, mumbling among themselves with their heads low. Only Dante remains in place, his expression deadlier than I’ve seen. He follows my progress with dark, brooding eyes while his chest heaves with the breaths he takes.
Before I can make it to the office, he catches up with me. Grabbing my wrist, he yanks me into the lounge and slams the door shut.
My voice is icy. Measured. “Get your hands off of me.”
He lets me go at once, taking a step back, but the anger shifting in his gaze doesn’t evaporate.
Instead, it intensifies when he says, “Saverio did not tell you to say that to the men.”
“Someone had to.”
“Why?”
I don’t have time for this. Making a frustrated sound, I say, “To pacify them.”
“What do you think is going to happen when they find out you lied?”
“Who said I did?”
“I told you to speak to Sav. He’s got to know how deep in the shit we are.”
“What do you think will happen if he knows that? Do you think it’s going to change anything? Do you think it will help him? No, Dante. It will make everything worse. What Saverio needs to focus on is healing.”
“How long can you do this on your own?” he bites out. “How long are you going to try to save Sav and the club and everyone else all by yourself?”
“I’m not doing this by myself,” I say, my agitation rising.
“Yeah?” He looks around. “Then show me who’s helping you.”
“You and Livy.” I lift my chin. “The men.”
He looks at me for a long, hard second. “What about Saverio? The men are right. Shit happens. He’s scarred. So what? He’s the one who should be here, not you. For God’s sake, woman, you’re coming to work with a newborn baby.”
I’m in his face, pointing a finger at him. “Don’t you dare say that. What do you think will happen if the men hear you talk like this? They’ll lose faith, and if they lose faith, Saverio is as good as dead. You and I are all he’s got, Dante. Where the fuck is your loyalty?”
The volume of his voice rises steadily. “There’s nothing wrong with my loyalty. But I have eyes in my head.”
I back up again, reeling at his animosity. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Sav lost interest in everything but revenge. He’s lost interest in this club, in his men, in the business, and in you.”
The cruel words make me stagger.
“Nothing matters to him anymore, Anya. He’s fucking lost interest in living.”
Fury surges inside me, eradicating any logical thoughts. My words are cold, shaky. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that.”
“That’s why he’s on a path of self-destruction,” Dante continues, set on tormenting me. “That’s why he’s determined to see this suicide mission through.”
Losing it completely, I yell at him. “Don’t talk like that.”
“Why are you doing this? You don’t have to put yourself on the line.” He adds in a softer tone, “You don’t have to go down with Sav.”
“And you?” I ask, gritting my teeth. “Are you planning on going down? Is that why you’ve given up already?”
“I’m not giving up, but I’m not the one going around telling the men Saverio is fine when nothing can be further from the truth. I’m not the one taking huge fucking loans we can never pay back, and all you’re going to get for your trouble is a few broken bones and a bullet in your head. So tell me again why the fuck you’re doing this.”