Total pages in book: 767
Estimated words: 732023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3660(@200wpm)___ 2928(@250wpm)___ 2440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 732023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3660(@200wpm)___ 2928(@250wpm)___ 2440(@300wpm)
I make a mental note to talk to Sondra about that. I’m sure she’ll agree, seeing as how her future husband could be harrassed by my dad.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” my dad drawls dryly.
“I told you to get out. I’m not discussing this or any other part of my life with you further. Don’t come back.”
He pulls an amused face, like I’m a silly toddler but saunters for the door.
Thank God.
I hold my breath until he shuts the door behind himself. Even then, I don’t know how long it takes me before I exhale. But as soon as I do, my stomach scrunches up under my ribs again.
What if Stefano’s having me watched to make sure I don’t talk about what happened? What if I just proved his suspicions about me are true?
I’m so fucked.
#
Stefano
“Fanculo. You look like shit.”
Nico’s face is covered in bruises, his lip’s split and one eye is swollen shut. He texted me to say he’s back and to meet him in his office. I can see why he’s hiding up here instead of being out on the floor.
I make a mental note to bring him that salve from Lucia.
“Junior is such a testa di cazzo,” I mutter as we give each other a back-slapping hug.
Nico shrugs like getting beat to a pulp by your own brother is no big deal. Which to us, it really isn’t, considering how we were raised. “It’s done. Settled. We’re getting married in a month back in Chicago and the whole fucking lot can show up to kiss my ass.”
“He just had to show you he’s still boss, eh? Even though you’re the Tacone who brings in the real dough? Who makes their shit legit?”
“The order came from Pops. Junior picked us up as soon as I hit Chicago. Whatever. I had to pay for defying orders. Now it’s done.”
I sprawl in one of the comfortable leather armchairs and prop my ankle over one knee.
“So tell me,” Nico says.
“Tony didn’t already fill you in?” I ask but didn’t wait for his response before continuing. “His name was Eric Donahue. Junior says Pops strong-armed his brother out of his restaurant five or six years ago. The guy committed suicide not long after. Seems like this was a revenge attempt. Not sure why he wanted you, but I’m guessing it’s because your name’s in the press. Like you were easier to look up and find in a public place. So he shows up and finds out how to get a private audience with you. And when he finds out you’re not here, but your brother is, I’m just as good a target.”
Nico rubs his head. “Cazzo. You couldn’t make this wash out clean?”
“There was a connection to Pops. Nothing’s ever clean there, and when that shit shows up here in your casino? Fuck, yeah, I’m going to make it disappear. What would you have done different?”
Nico taps his desk, then shakes his head. “Nothing. You’re right. I just don’t want any kind of investigation here.”
“I know.”
“And the rest of it? What the hell are you doing with Corey?”
“I was keeping an eye on her. Until I could be sure. Her dad’s a fed, you know.”
“Yeah, I fucking know.” He gives me a searching look. “You fuck her?”
“Yeah.” I raise the end of the syllable like it’s a question. Like, why the fuck does it matter what I did with her?
He continues studying me. We’re tight, me and Nico. If anyone knows me, it’s him. I don’t know what the fuck he’s seeing now, because I don’t even know what I think about the Corey situation. “What do I need to know?”
“Nothing.”
He won’t drop it. Apparently, he still sees something. “You trust her now?”
I nod. “Yeah. But I got into her phone records and put a guy on her, just to be sure. The situation with her dad could be a pain in the ass.”
Nico tips his head to the side. “You have a thing for her?”
Not sure how he got that from me putting a guy on her. “Yeah,” I admit.
“You getting anywhere with that?” There’s doubt in Nico’s voice and I laugh, because he must know Corey’s a tough nut to crack. I don’t ever fail with women. Maybe that’s part of the attraction.
“I’m working it, still.” I spread my hands. “What about you? Where is Sondra? I want to meet my new sister-in-law.”
Nico smirks and it’s nice to see a smile on his face. My brother’s been wound tight for as long as I can remember. He definitely seems different now, underneath the bruises.
“Come on, she’s in her office.” He leads me out.
“Ah, she works for you.” Why hadn’t anyone told me that?
“Yes.”
“Yes? That’s it? What does she do?” When he doesn’t go on, I make an impatient tell me more motion.
“Sondra is curating the art wing in the Bellissimo. We can display all those masterpieces we’ve acquired from the whales over the years.”