Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 54204 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54204 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
“Ma’am, if I may?” Anais addresses me. My eyes must show the shock because she smiles and looks down. She has never tried to engage me in conversation or spoken to me unless I have spoken to her, so this is...wow.
“Please.” I nod my head telling her to go on.
“Do not listen to these jealous hyenas. They realized the moment you walked in and took your coat off that he was off the market. Anyone who looks at the two of you can see how much love, devotion and respect there is. You have represented him well tonight. Do not let an ounce of what they say, cloud your mind.'' She steps back and resumes her position, but I can’t help but feel we have taken fifty steps forward.
Looking around I know she is right and feels silly. I could blame it on the alcohol, but that can't be the reason. I have been handed several drinks, none of which have I so much as sipped. I hand all of them to Anais and she places them down. I have however been drinking water nonstop and now I need to go to the lady's room.
“Anais do you know where the restroom is?”
“Ma’am, yes I do. Please follow me.'' She leads me out of the party room and down a long corridor. There is beautiful artwork on the walls. Some from artists I recognize, others I don’t. Further down the hall, I hear muffled voices and recognize Dario’s. Passing by a door to the left of the restroom, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I do. “She was lovely, your girl.” another man says to him.
“Only arm candy my friend. Nothing for you to concern yourself with.” Oh God. Is he talking about me? My stomach begins to cramp, and vision gets blurry.
“Ma’am...are you ok?” I hear Anais but I can’t find the strength to answer her. Could all of this have been a lie? I mean of course it could have. Maybe this is something he does to get off. Oh it hurts. My chest hurts. My legs feel numb, everything feels...dead. “Ma’am, should I get the Boss?” please don’t.
“No. Please. Can you just take me back ho... umm, back to the boss's house and just let him know from the car? I mean he has plenty of cars here... right?”
“I should really let the…”
“Anais, it is my understanding I am also the boss, correct?”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Then I am requesting you take me home now please.” I cannot believe I am talking to her like this, but I really need to get out of here. I am seconds away from having a panic attack.
“Yes ma'am. Let’s go.” Thank fuck. I need a minute to think before I do something I regret. At the same time, I need to not have him in my face, while I process what I heard.
17
Dario
Something is wrong. I can feel it. The meeting is going fine. As far as I can tell there is no danger, but I can feel it. For the second time in a minute I look at my phone to make sure there have been no texts and when I see nothing, I try to calm down and focus on the conversation. We would have been done with our meeting, but it seems the breach within my network has spread and some common enemies have been making moves.
“What’s the word O’Connor? Did you get a name?” at this rate I don’t give a shit how I get the information. I need this leak plugged.
“Unfortunately, my friend all I got was a street name. They call him the nozzle.” what the fuck kind of douchebag shit is that.
“I heard that also.” Lozado says, “but, I also heard he is working for one of the other ones. Seems Maggiano is looking for a chink in the armor.”
“Maggiano.” I spit.
“What are we going to do about Maltabianchi? That flamingo is trying to spoof my yard. I am trying to be a good ole’ boy about it, but fellas, I am running low on temper reduction.” yea see, O’Connor is Irish born and raised. His velocity for bullshit is even lower than mine, believe it or not. I know the only reason Bianchi is still standing is because of the agreement between the three of us not to start war in each other's states. We bring the problem to the person who runs that state and let them handle it.
“He will be dealt with.'' I tell them both before knocking back my whiskey. “If there is nothing else fellas, I would like to go and see my woman. The door swings open and I can tell by the look on Click’s face that I am not going to like it. Walking straight to him I head toward the party. “Speak.”