Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Draven had no intention of going far. He always had plans to come back, to take back everything from his father, to kill him. It had taken too long, and when he realized the stain his father had created, he changed the plan. He and Antwone would remain a mystery.
“You’re right,” Antwone said.
“So, I’m going to take care of this fucker, and you’re going to do what you do best. Got it?”
“What about your wife?” Antwone asked.
“You’re going to take care of her until I get back. I expect her in one piece.”
Draven left the office, following behind Antwone. His gaze went straight to Maria, who was still sitting at the table on her own. No one had dared approach her, and for some reason, that pissed him off. Why were they ignoring her? Without her, they would all be dead.
The sheets were on display, and as much as he wanted to take her away from all of this, he had to go and fix this little problem.
Arriving at the table, he placed his hand on the back of her chair. “The Boss is going to be spending some time with you. I’ve got some business to take care of.”
“Oh, I don’t want to be a problem. I can go back to your home.”
“You’re going to stay with The Boss,” Draven said. He had no doubt his staff would treat her right, but until he made sure of it, he wasn’t willing to leave her alone. He pressed a kiss to her lips. “I’ll be right back.”
He left the restaurant, aware of the gazes following him. Draven was tempted to look back to see if Maria was looking back at him. Avoiding the temptation, he left the restaurant and stepped out into the street. Gareth, his driver, was already waiting, but Draven shook his head. He wasn’t going to be driven today, he would drive himself. The fewer people who knew the truth, the better.
Gareth stepped out of the car and moved closer to the restaurant. It was his job now to keep Maria and The Boss safe. For Draven, he would keep their secret, by burying it another six feet under.
Chapter Four
There was something about The Boss that Maria couldn’t quite put her finger on. He looked so familiar, but then, he was like a lot of the men within the family. Sexy, controlled, and the suits he wore molded to his shape like a second skin.
She had no idea what to say to him. Sitting in silence seemed like the best solution.
Pressing her lips together, she tried not to look toward the sheets that showed her once-virginal status, and the evidence that she was no longer a virgin. She saw there was semen on the sheets as well, and to be honest, this was gross. She’d never been present during one of these ceremonies, and right now, she was grateful for that.
“Draven will be back in no time. How about I take you out shopping?” The Boss asked.
“I don’t want to be any trouble.”
“No trouble at all. I’m growing restless.” He snapped his fingers and lifted to his feet.
She followed suit and then stood frozen as The Boss made his way over to the presentation of the sheets, and tore them down.
Maria didn’t know what he was going to do with them, but he bundled them up under his arm, and without another word they left the restaurant.
She saw Draven’s driver standing near the side of the building, and he immediately came toward her.
“Gareth, right?” The Boss asked.
“Yes.”
“He took his car?”
“Yes.”
“You can ride with us.”
As if on cue, a car pulled up to the curb. Maria had no choice but to follow. The Boss opened the back passenger door, and Gareth climbed into the front.
“After you, my dear.”
She knew this was scary. They could kill her. Everything about this yelled suspicion, but she ignored it and climbed into the car, trying to be as delicate as she could.
The white dress was a little on the revealing side. She moved as far away from The Boss as she was able. She was tempted to try the door, but she forced herself not to, and to just sit down and stay calm. If they were going to kill her, they would have done it already.
Besides, you were ready for death once. Nothing has changed.
“You don’t have to be afraid,” The Boss said as they pulled away from the curb and entered traffic. It was a little after eleven, and there was already a lot of congestion lining the city roads. The Boss chuckled. “You’re not going to tell me you’re not afraid.”
“That would be a lie.”
“And you’ve never lied in your life?” he asked.
“I’ve had no reason to lie.” No one had ever asked her something she had to lie about.