Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 108119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 541(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
“This is me keeping my word.” I snapped my fingers. “Eyes up here. How long has Oscar been working the trade with Aldo?”
She sighed. “Oscar’s old. He needs a family he can trust. The De Langes are a bunch of psychopaths without any leadership, so he went to the first family that had no issues with selling women — Aldo’s.”
I clenched my teeth. “Who else knows about this?”
Elena rolled her eyes. “It officially became the family business after Mil De Lange’s death. Aldo has been helping Oscar for the past year and a half.”
“I’ve been locked in my room for a year…”
My stomach clenched.
She didn’t know.
She asked so many questions, though.
I let her in.
I let her into my apartments.
I let her into my life.
I let her in.
I let the enemy inside.
And handed her the keys.
Fuck.
“You look pale, Andrei.” Elena grinned. “Something to do with that beautiful girl who was in here earlier? I must say she looks… extremely familiar—”
“Keep talking and I cut out your tongue the way I did Aldo’s,” I barked.
Her eyes widened and then she threw back her head and laughed. “You know, it was a good plan. He sells his sister and she gains access to the whole underworld he’s trying to take from your very hands.”
“He was here last night,” I admitted.
“He wants the club. He will kill you for it. Your father promised more money, more clubs. Your father died. So, you either carry out the contract he started or eliminate everyone who wants to take what’s rightfully yours, as boss.”
I snorted out a laugh. “I keep him alive because I find it amusing that Aldo shits himself in his sleep wondering when I’m going to come back for the rest of his tongue. He lives because I allow it. What could he possibly do to me?”
She was quiet as Lennie pulled out his tattoo gun and ink. “Oh, I don’t know, Andrei, what could he possibly use against you?”
I could still taste her.
Betrayer?
Was she a De Lange loyal to me? To the Italians?
Or to her abusive brother and father.
That was the problem with the De Langes.
You never knew where they stood until it was too late.
“Go ahead and get started Lennie.” I looked away from Elena, couldn’t stand the thought of her trying to read my face.
The buzz of the gun filled the room.
“What the hell is he doing?” She tried fighting against the binds of the chair.
“Offering protection,” I called over my shoulder. “Welcome to the club, I think the gentlemen will enjoy very much having some older Italian blood in the mix. Try not to ruin the tattoo before it begins. Oh, and you’ll want to shower before your first customer. I’d start praying you don’t get called to start the bidding this evening. The woman sacrificed is always the one who refuses the men who want her. This isn’t the time to get shy, and I’d pull out everything in your sexual arsenal. Would hate to see you get your throat slit.”
I shut the door behind me and leaned against it.
I knew she was screaming even though I couldn’t hear her.
Just like I knew I needed to test Alice the minute I got back to the apartment.
Friend or foe.
Enemy or lover.
I didn’t know.
I was too in over my head.
Shit.
I sent a quick text to Phoenix.
Me: We may have a problem.
Phoenix: We?
Me: Us. She’s… potentially compromised. Her brother knew exactly what he was doing in bringing her here. She’s either supposed to infiltrate from within or distract me enough to become a pawn in a bigger game. Aldo and Oscar De Lange behind the women. Get Sergio on it now.
Phoenix: Shit.
Me: I’ll get some answers out of her.
Phoenix: And ruin what could be the best thing that’s ever happened to you? What are you going to do? Tie her to a chair?
Me: Something like that…
Phoenix: Think this through.
Me: I’m going dark. And I already have.
Phoenix: Shit, Andrei—
I turned my phone off, slid it into my pocket and stared at the apartment door, then very quietly let myself in, shut the door and locked it behind me.
Alice wasn’t in the living room.
I made my way down the hall, slowly measuring my steps until I reached her room. She was curled up on her side, sleeping.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Two days ago, I wouldn’t have thought twice.
Today I was hesitating.
Making excuses.
Justifying.
She was in me now, in the air, in my blood, in my lungs with each inhale, each shuddering exhale.
I ignored the pain in my chest.
She was just another object sent to either distract me or bring me to my knees.
That’s the lie I told myself.
The lie I wanted to believe.
To make it easier on myself.
I left the room and returned with rope and a few cable ties.
“Alice,” I hissed. “Wake up.”
She jolted awake her feet made a kicking motion as she pressed a hand to her chest. “Do you often stand over people holding rope while they’re sleeping?”