Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 44890 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44890 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
I send texts to the men outside and tell them to drive to the other end. The least they can do is save themselves.
When the reply comes, I release a breath.
“I’m going to kill you and finish the Vitallios once and for all. Then I’ll go to your beautiful Sicily and burn those fucking lands until they turn to ashes, along with the pretty Georgina.”
My shoulders tense and it takes several seconds to breathe straight.
Lucio will have to go through me first before he can get to Petal. I don’t care if I have to bring everything I planned to the ground because of it.
“You think you can take me, Lucio? Have you thought about my plan with Paolo?”
There’s silence from the other side and I know I’ve got him.
“Nothing you plan with Paolo scares me,” he finally spits out.
“Why, Luc, I think this one should. After all, it’s a tailored plan for you. Yes, you know me the best, but have you thought that I know you the best too? That I have all the susceptible information to cripple you?”
Silence.
Using the chance, I motion at Angelo to creep toward the entrance while still staying behind the boxes.
“What’s the deal?” he asks.
“You versus me. Everyone else out.” I don’t hesitate.
“Boss,” Stephan’s booming voice echoes in the silence. “Let me take care of the rat.”
Lucio shushes him. “Everyone out.”
“Send Rebecca this way,” I say and Angelo gives me a grateful look.
I’ll take care of him and her later, but she doesn’t need to die over this.
She’s sobbing as she trips before finally landing beside us. Angelo pulls her to his side even though his expression is tight.
When I make sure all Lucio’s men left through the other door, I motion at Angelo to use a small entrance by the back.
“How about you?” he whispers.
“I’ll be fine,” I murmur back. “Drive all the way to Wisconsin and stay there. I’ll find you.”
He hesitates, but I push him away, my attention falling back on Lucio.
After Angelo carries Rebecca out, I come out from behind the boxes. Lucio is still sitting on his chair; his face closed, neither smug nor worried.
He has something up his sleeve.
And so do I.
I point the gun in his direction. “The plan is simple, Lucio, you’ll fucking die.”
“Not before you.”
I barely see it before it materializes from my side.
Marco.
I should’ve known the dog would linger close to his master. I point my gun at him, but he already jams a needle at my neck.
My vision immediately loosens and my legs turn wobbly, unable to hold me up.
My eyes start rolling to the back of my head. I shake it, but it only makes the sensation more prominent.
Something slashes my chest, I pull the trigger, but the gun falls from my hand, hitting the ground with a loud clunk.
Lucio’s booming laughter fills the space. “You’ll fucking regret it all.”
He’s a blur, lines of black, but I punch him anyway. I lose my balance, and my body falls to the ground, my head dropping on the asphalt.
It’s weird how Petal’s face is the only thing I see as I slowly lose consciousness, those gray eyes, that smile — that fucking smile I dreamt about trapping, and now it’s gone.
All that remains is black.
16
Georgina
It’s been two days since Jasper left.
Two days of eavesdropping on Enzo to make sure he didn’t get himself killed there.
Two days of plotting.
Two days of preparing.
Today is the day I go home.
I put on pants, a hoodie and sports shoes I wear when I go to the fields. I would rather take all my clothes, but that will draw attention.
“Come here, guys.” I open the cages and they whine before they get inside. “Listen, Mrs. Hudson, Mr. Bingly, we’re going home. I’m going to hide you near the garage; it’s going to be a bit dark. I’m sorry, but I’ll come to get you soon.”
They just watch me with that snobbish expression that says ‘you are a crazy cat lady.’ After I hide them near the garage, I pretend to stretch since Enzo is speaking to one of the men by the house.
Ever since Jasper left, he’s been watching me like a hawk. I still think he’d kill me if he gets the chance, but since I saved Jasper, he’s been tucking away his maliciousness.
I smile at Salli and let Francesco hold my hand as we walk to the fields. As I listen to him talking, my chest tugs and second thoughts creep in. Do I really want to leave this place, these people? Jasper?
I internally shake my head. I can’t stay, not when Jasper is on a mission to kill my father. I need to go back and stop him. And most of all, I need to see my dad.
As soon as we arrive at the fields, I tell Salli I’m going to greet the other women. Instead, I sneak by the rear of the truck that delivers the supplies and climb at the back after I make sure no one is watching.