Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
“Looks like they’re here.”
“Shit.” I was hoping to get there before them, but as I pull up to the curb, I see Vince and his righthand goon Jackson.
This is the thing about Vince’s style of organized crime. He keeps it local, but there’s no loyalty like the bigger mafias in other cities. Vince has one person in line behind him to take over, so if you cut off the head of the snake, there’s only a spider left to get rid of. If the two of them were taken out, the whole operation would dissolve. The only reason it’s gone on for so long is because Vince is a man without scruples. He’ll do anything, even sell his own daughter, to get ahead. People fear that level of greed and stay far away. That’s why he’s got to go down, and quickly.
“What the fuck did you talk me into?” Maxim says under his breath as we enter the diner.
“Just some pancakes with a side of entrapment. You hungry?”
Chapter Thirteen
KELLY
I stare at the door, hating that Luke has to put himself in danger for us. I wish there was something I could do, but my only plan has ever been to run. There’s no way I would ever be a match against my father. I’m also aware that the older Marco gets, the more he might push back against him on my behalf. That would be just as bad as our father taking him under his wing. The thought makes me sick to my stomach.
It might be selfish, but I want Luke so badly that now I don’t want to run. I’m not sure what this means to him and if it’s him being a good man and helping us. When I peeked in on him playing video games with Marco last night, my heart melted. Then this morning I witnessed the banter and easiness of all of us simply being in the kitchen together. It made me long for a normal life.
Not to mention last night when I was in bed with Luke. Heat and desire stir inside me in a way I never knew possible. Thinking about it even now has me hot. Luke opened doors inside of me I didn’t know were there, but in the back of my mind, I wondered why he didn’t do more. I know in my soul I would’ve let him. This morning he got up before I could try and return the favor. Not that I know how, but I could figure it out. I’ve read dirty books, so I know some things. Maybe I should tell him about my lack of experience.
“Your face is doing that weird thing again.” Marco’s voice snaps my attention away from the door and my dirty thoughts.
I roll my eyes at him. When he came up from breakfast, he said it looked like I had hearts in my eyes. I glared at him, but it only made Luke smile and wink at me.
“Did you start your schoolwork?” I change the subject, not wanting him to ask what’s going on with Luke. Also because I’m not totally sure either.
“I’m gonna. Getting a drink.” He grabs a Gatorade out of the fridge. “You know I’m teasing you, right?” Marco leans up against the counter next to me. “I haven’t seen you smile this much in forever.”
I hadn’t realized I had been or that Marco was old enough to notice things like that.
Leaning over, I kiss his cheek. “I enjoy your teasing. Now go do your schoolwork so you're free for the day.”
“Fine,” he huffs, but I catch him grinning as he walks past me.
“Love you,” I call after him.
“Love yo—” Marco’s voice cuts off, and I hear a loud crash. Jumping off the stool, I rush over to him.
“Marco!” My first thought is that he’s fallen down the stairs.
“Shit!” he shouts, and I run around the corner to see him lying on the ground and the corner of the rug turned up.
“Are you okay?” I crouch next to him, and he rolls over, holding his left wrist close to his chest.
“I think it’s broken.” His eyes fill with tears as his face scrunches in pain. I try to look at it the best I can, but it’s already swelling. “Fucking hurts.”
“See. This is when you curse,” I tell him, trying to get his mind off the pain. Marco gives me a half smile and then hisses through his clenched teeth.
I help get Marco to his feet then get him into the kitchen to get something cold to put on it. I find some ibuprofen to help with the swelling and pain, then debate what to do. The swelling is only getting worse by the second, and I have to admit that it could be broken. I have no way of contacting Luke, and he didn’t say when he would be back.