Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
However, regarding Henry, it looks like that is not in the cards for me. He’s not a man to be toyed with, and fucking his daughter might mean the end of our tried-and-true friendship.
“So, is that why Mom left?”
Damn, brutal right off the bat.
Henry shakes his head, his hair nearly entirely gray. “No, that’s not why she left, Lizzie. She was raised in the same kind of family as me. Both our families were involved in one way or another, and hers even more so than mine.”
“I don’t know any of my extended family,” she bites back. “I guess this is why, right?”
Her voice is slathered with hurt and anger, and I feel for her. She’s spent her whole life thinking that she was the daughter of a wealthy investor. While that is the partial truth, Henry Massino has been a silent partner with the Rossi family, my family, for years. My father wasn’t Italian, but my mother was an actual Mafia princess, so here we are.
“You don’t have any extended family,” Henry says in a low tone. The man’s patience is inspiring, but he’s also eight years older than me. “You are the only heir I have. I need you to get comfortable with my dealings. You don’t have to take over. I can appoint people to handle the transactions and investments. However, you have to understand and learn it so you don’t lose everything I’ve worked so hard for.”
“Oh my god,” she groans, her head falling into her hands. “You have to be kidding me.”
Henry looks at me, a wistful expression on his face. He shrugs his shoulders in a silent plea, and I nod, though I’m not sure how much help I’ll be.
“Liz, there’s nothing to be concerned about,” I say, pulling the words out of my ass. “We’ll keep you protected. It’s just time that you learn the family business. It’s just who you are. Some people would kill to be in your position.”
I can tell right away that was the wrong thing to say. She jerks her head up, glaring at me. “No. I don’t want to be a fucking criminal!” The language is shocking coming from her as she stands, her glare bouncing between us. “I am a lawyer.”
“So am I,” I point out, raising a brow. “It comes in handy. Trust me.”
She shakes her head. “No. No, I’m not doing this. I don’t know what you think you’re going to do with me, but I won’t become some sort of silent partner. I’m not okay with funneling money to organized crime. I’ve heard the stories. If I inherit that, someone might… I don’t know. It could lead to arranged marriages and all that shit!”
Her voice is strained with emotion, and for a moment, I think she might break down in tears. Yet she holds steady, just like her father would.
“I wouldn’t require you to have an arranged marriage,” Henry snorts, making a face. “I think that’s ridiculous. Not to mention, you’re not Mafia royalty. We’re just investors. They come to us for loans, and we invest in their businesses. It’s a perfectly decent arrangement.”
That might be a stretch.
“Besides, that’s not always the case in every family anyway,” Henry continues. “Troy’s mother didn’t have an arranged marriage. She married an average, run-of-the-mill American attorney, and the man became a great asset to the family. Troy now has the cover of his father, as well, while being a boss. It’s beneficial.”
Liz stares at me, and the hurt in her expression is like a knife to the heart. “So, you’re not really an attorney?”
I choose my words carefully. “I am an attorney, but I only work with people that interest me. It’s actually a nice arrangement.”
“You are the reason I even wanted to pursue a career in law,” she mutters, her eyes now brimming with tears.
Oh fuck.
For the first time in my life, I find myself longing to comfort a woman when she cries. I can only imagine how Henry, growing irritated, would handle that scene.
“Listen, Elizabeth Kate,” Henry snaps, “You are who you are, no matter what. I can’t change the fact that I don’t have any other heirs. If I did, I would happily let you live the life you want to outside of this family business. But your position forces my hand, and you need our protection. After talking with Mr. Vitali tonight, I have concerns.”
Wait, what?
I turn to Henry. “What concerns?”
“We’ll talk later,” Henry says, giving me a look that doesn’t make me feel much better. “We’re sending bodyguards with you,” he tells Liz. “I don’t care what you want or what you think you want. We will keep you safe.”
“This is ridiculous,” Liz spits and storms out of the living room. “I’m going home. I need to process all this shit you’ve thrown at me.”