Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Giving him a grateful smile, I shake my head again. “You know I can’t take your money. Besides, I only have to work a double shift for another three months, then I’ll have some savings to fall back on.”
“You’re so fucking stubborn,” he complains.
“Yeah, I know.” Letting out a burst of laughter, I add, “You’re the one who taught me to be stubborn.” I eat for a while, then say, “I want to make Thanksgiving dinner this year.”
“I’ve tasted your cooking, and no offense, but you can’t cook for shit.”
I shoot a playful glare at Tyrone. “Then teach me instead of complaining.”
A smile spreads over his face. “Does that mean you’ll take the day off for Thanksgiving? A turkey takes hours to cook?”
“Shoot,” I mutter. “I didn’t think about that.”
Chuckling, he winks at me. “Then it’s settled. I’ll make Thanksgiving dinner like always.”
“Fine. You win,” I grumble before finishing the rest of my food.
I wash the delicious meal down with the beer before I get up to wash the plate and utensils.
“What are you going to do about Mandy?” Tyrone asks from where he’s still sitting at the table.
“Nothing. She can lie in the hallway until Winston throws her out.”
“I’m not talking about that. She keeps coming back and breaking into your place. You still haven’t replaced half the shit she stole the last time she broke in.”
I shrug because there’s not much I can do besides moving, and I’m not doing that.
“This is the first time we’ve seen her in months. With a little luck, she’ll disappear again.”
“You saw the track marks on her arms. What if she owes another dealer money, and they come knocking again? The last time they hurt you.”
Yeah, I haven’t forgotten. I had a black eye for a week.
“All the dealers around here know I don’t have money to pay Mandy’s debts,” I say, even though I know that won’t stop them from busting down my front door.
Damn, I wish the woman would permanently disappear from my life. She’s never done anything for me and only brought me pain and worry.
Finished with the dishes, I dry my hands as I glance at Tyrone. “Don’t worry. One of these days, she won’t bother coming around anymore.”
Tyrone lets out a sigh, and when I head for the front door, he says, “Be careful out there.”
“I will.”
Heading back to my apartment, so I can change into clean clothes for my night shift at the ballet company, I step over Mandy again. I have to resist the urge not to kick her for all the trouble she causes me.
Chapter 4
Dario
Last week, I finally found Servando Montes. I went to Mexico with Renzo, where he killed the fucker. It was a waste of my time because Renzo didn’t need me there. Since then, things have been super quiet, and I find myself spending more and more time at the ballet company.
I’m hoping to see my elusive dancer, but there’s been no sign of her. I’ve checked through all the files of the ballerinas, and she’s not among them.
I’m thinking she’s friends with one of the ballerinas who lets her in so she can dance without paying the fee. I’ve asked the guard at the front desk, but he has no idea who I’m talking about.
It’s frustrating.
Sitting in the empty auditorium, I check my emails and find two requests from clients. One is to hack into a company to steal information, and the other is to track an assassin. I accept the jobs, and hearing movement by one of the side doors, I glance in the direction and see a janitor pushing a cart into the auditorium. When a vacuum cleaner is also brought into the room, I decide to leave before the noise starts.
I walk toward the studios, hoping to see my elusive dancer. I swear, the next time I catch her, I’m not leaving without knowing her name.
As I turn into the hallway, I don’t hear any music, and it’s soon apparent she’s not here.
I let out a disappointed sigh as I walk into the studio she previously used. Grabbing one of the chairs by the side of the wall, I take a seat.
I’m one of the best when it comes to finding someone, and I plan on using my talent to find the woman. I just need to check the surrounding area for CCTV cameras, tap into their feed, and find one of her. After that, a quick facial recognition will lead me straight to her.
I decide to wait ten minutes, hoping I won’t have to track her down, and sitting in the studio, I catch myself listening for footsteps.
When it’s clear she’s not coming tonight, I’m about to get up when my attention’s drawn by sudden movement.
A smile spreads over my face at the sight of my elusive dancer finally making her appearance, but I sit still.