Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 76309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
But his stories get interrupted by my phone.
I stand up, raising the screen so he can see Burian’s name on the glass. Lanzo’s easy, carefree demeanor disappears as he grabs his laptop.
“Answer,” he commands. Bossy as ever.
“Are you sure?” Fear spikes into my stomach. I don’t have time to be annoyed with him. “He knows we’re working together.”
“He wants to talk. That’s a good sign.” Lanzo shoves a cord into my phone, connecting it to his laptop. “He probably knows we’re fucking too, I bet. Answer it.”
I groan, but steel myself. This is why I’m here. This is important. I hit the green button. “Hello?”
“Renata.” Burian’s voice, low and glad-sounding as always. “I wasn’t sure you’d pick up.”
“I wasn’t sure you’d call, considering how things went. Who was the guy that tried to kill me?”
“He was a problem, which you so kindly solved for me. Or I suppose Lanzo did. Hello, Lanzo. I know you’re listening.”
“Hello, Burian.” Lanzo doesn’t pretend like he’s not sitting an inch away from me. He taps away wildly at the keyboard. “Keep talking, old friend. I’ll catch up to you this time.”
Burian laughs, sounding genuinely delighted. I frown at Lanzo, head tilted. Old friend? I’ve never heard him refer to Burian like that.
When I think about it, I don’t even know their relationship.
How does Lanzo know Burian so well? Why has Lanzo been hunting Burian, in particular? And how long has this dance gone on for?
“I should’ve known you were involved with the girl,” Burin says. “She’s much too special to be left alone. But I suppose I don’t need to tell you that. When did you pick her up?”
“On the very first job. I managed to intercept some of your emails.”
I glare at Lanzo. He hadn’t told me that, though I should’ve assumed. How else would he have known to go to that motel room? Still doesn’t feel good to find out he was spying on me.
“Very well done,” Burian says. “I suppose I’ll keep this short then. Renata, don’t worry, I’m not disappointed in you. I would have done the same if I were in your position. I asked a lot of you.”
“I’m not too concerned over how you feel about me.”
“Oh, but you should be, considering the lives of everyone you love rest in my hands.”
Lanzo grunts. “Don’t take his threats seriously.”
“Why wouldn’t she?” Burian asks, sounding curious. “I’m successfully killing undercover FBI agents. Why do you think a few mafia thugs can keep me from killing a doddering old man? You should know better than that, Lanzo.”
“Too much effort, too much risk,” Lanzo says, glancing at me. “Whether you can do it or not is a moot point. Whether it’s worth the price, that’s the real question.”
Burian chuckles. “Well said.”
“What do you want?” I ask, struggling to keep my voice from quavering. I don’t like how this conversation’s shaking out.
“I want to warn you both. I have a job to do here in Dallas, and until that job is over, I will be very upset if you attempt to get in the way.”
“That’s sort of the plan,” Lanzo mumbles as he taps away, eyes narrowed in concentration.
“I understand you can’t help yourself, Lanzo, but Ms. Renata has some sense in her. You’re aware of who I am, aren’t you? You’re aware of what I can do? I’m sure Lanzo here filled you in. I know you think your wonderful Grandpop is safe, but I assure you, he is not. Convince Lanzo to drop this silly hunt for me and your grandfather will not be harmed. I’ll even make sure I pay you what I owe.”
“I find that hard to believe,” I say, frowning at the floor.
“Despite what Lanzo may have told you, I pay my debts. Consider my offer, Ms. Renata. But if I find either of you are still looking for me, then I will make sure everyone you love suffers. Do you understand?” A coldness creeps into Burian’s voice, and for the first time since this all started, I understand why Lanzo holds him in such high regard.
I can hear the predator in his tone.
“Your threats are worthless, Burian,” Lanzo says before my veins can freeze solid. “You’ve lost a step.”
“I assure you, I haven’t. How close are you?”
“Inches,” Lanzo whispers. Then something happens to his screen: words, letters, numbers, random gibberish begins scrolling past, populating his console faster than he can clear them away, until he curses and jams the power button down, turning it off.
“Remember what I said.” Burian hangs up the phone.
We sit in silence. Lanzo’s laptop screen is black. My heart’s racing. Every word Burian said plays through my mind on repeat, and I start to wonder if Lanzo’s wrong, if Burian really can get to Grandpop, if he can hurt Amy or Penny or Fran.