Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 72340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
“You’re kidding, right?” I look back over at him, one of his hands is sunk deeply into his dark locks. He is frustrated.
“No. Don’t let them leave… I don’t care. Do as I say, I’ll have a bullet with your name on it, too.” Luke isn’t given a chance to respond because Enzo hangs up, and the phone is thrown across the seat.
“Boss? What’s wrong. Tell me what’s up so we can fix it.” Mack is trying to be helpful, or so it seems. Concern is etched into his features, but it seems fake to me in a way.
“Change of plans,” Enzo says firmly. “We’re heading to the club instead. Luke called to tell me that the Delahnies are having a party in the VIP suite.”
Mack turns in his seat, his eyes catching mine in the rearview mirror. There is a warning, not the kind that says if you do something, I’ll hurt you. But one that says be careful, tread lightly.
I wasn’t planning on opening my mouth anyway. No fucking way will I be shining a spotlight on myself. I want to get out of this, be invisible.
“Do you want me to drive Amara back after I drop you off? Or Eli and I can handle it while you go back–”
“No, I’ll deal with it, and maybe Amara should see this.”
“It’ll be way more fun than a boring dinner, that’s for sure.” Eli chuckles, but no one else is laughing.
My heart sinks. This is not a date, at least not anymore. This is some kind of business he is taking me to. The only question is why? Why would he want me to see? If it looks anything like what I walked into at my dad’s farmhouse, I already know I don’t want to be part of it.
Fear trickles into my stomach, eating away at all the warm fuzzy feelings he inspired this morning.
The ride couldn’t have been more than twenty minutes, but it seems like an eternity while I’m in the car with Enzo. The tension rolls off him in waves, and I can tell he is angry. I’m terrified of this man, this side of him.
Only when he’s seemed to calm down a bit, do I have the courage to ask, “Where exactly are we and what are we doing? I thought this would just be dinner?”
“You thought wrong. Just look pretty and don’t ask questions tonight. Don’t talk at all,” he snaps at me, and I feel like he verbally slapped me. His condescending tone doesn’t help.
Turning my head, I look out of the window, trying to ignore how he just spoke to me. I tell myself, it’s just the way he is when he is out, that this is not the real him, but it doesn’t help. It doesn’t make me feel better or any less helpless.
Everyone pours from the vehicles, and when I get out, I look around. I think we are at some kind of night club. A long line of partiers stand before us, women and men of all shapes and sizes. I’m wobbly on my feet as Enzo presses his hand firmly on the small of my back.
“You don’t have to be an asshole to me just because you’re mad at someone else…” I whisper for his ears only, feeling like I am running to keep up with his pace.
He gives me a tiny smile. One that shows he couldn’t keep it in. “I have to be an asshole at all times. Weakness is showing mercy to others. I can’t let these people see that.”
We pass the line of people, and we’re let through by a big, muscular guard dressed in all black. He looks like he fights for a living. He stamps something on everyone’s hand but not on mine or Enzo’s when we pass him.
Through the doors, I hear the music pounding and see lights swirling in different directions in various colors. Anticipation and excitement build inside me at the thought of dancing and singing, but instead, I’m pulled in the opposite direction. Keeping his hand on the base of my spine, he presses firmly against my back, leading me through the club.
“We aren’t going dancing?” I ask bashfully, talking over the loud music. I’m confused, to say the least.
Enzo leans down to me and speaks close to my ear. “Business first.” His voice is emotionless, and I don’t like that at all. “Be a good girl, and I’ll dance with you after.”
Eli is walking in front of us while Mack is covering our back. I notice how the place is crowded, people are standing shoulder to shoulder, but when they see us, they move out of the way.
When we get to the back of the club, Enzo pulls us to the right and down a long hall until we come to a door.