Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
This can only be from my dad. I don’t know anyone else. My sisters all call me on the phone Kendrick gave me after I lost mine that night.
The phone rings and I nearly jump out of my skin. I reach for it with a shaky hand. I don’t know how I feel about speaking to my dad.
I still have so many unanswered questions. Despite everything, I do love him. Although I never got to go out or do much, he did spoil me.
I was pampered weekly and anything I wanted, I could have. All but friends, freedom, and a real life. I guess none of that is a worthy trade-off. I sigh at my thoughts.
“Hello,” I answer the call.
“Hello, sweetheart. How you doing, Ray?”
“Hey, Daddy. I’m fine.”
“How’s that biker treating you?”
“He’s good to me. I can’t complain.”
He grows silent for a moment. I hold my breath as I wait for him to tell me why he’s calling. I was expecting him to do more yelling.
“Listen, I may have handled things wrong. You didn’t like Angelo. I should’ve listened. You’re still my little girl.
“I don’t want something so small to come between us. It’s always been you and me, kid. You’re all I have. I’ve been miserable without you. My world is falling apart. I miss you, Ray.
“Do you remember the song I used to sing to you when you were a little girl? I keep thinking about how you would look up at me like I was the center of your world. I told myself the first time I held you that I’d do right by you,” he says.
Tears roll down my cheeks. I do remember when he would sing to me in Italian. Those were some of my favorite times. He was always so busy, but he made time to have tea parties with me. I remember him reading me bedtime stories and singing me to sleep.
“I miss you too. I don’t know how things got so crazy. Angelo tried to force himself on me and… I hope that didn’t cause you any trouble,” I murmur.
“Forget about it. If I had known that’s what happened, I would have… Never mind. Let’s leave the past in the past. Have dinner with me.
“You remember that time we had that fancy dinner at the docks?” He chuckles to himself. “I couldn’t get away and you were looking forward to our dinner date, so I had the boys put it together for me.
“Boy, did they give me shit for that, but I’d do it again to see that smile on your face.” He chuckles. “That was one of those times when I thought I was doing this father thing right. This thing of ours didn’t mean more than you then.
“It doesn’t mean more than you now. What do you say? Have dinner with your old man?”
“Okay, Daddy. When?”
“That’s my Ray. I’ll send a car for you tomorrow evening.”
Dinner
“You only want to talk to her, right?” I say to the bishop.
“Only a simple conversation. Once she tells me what I need to know, I’ll allow you both to go. I only need the child and the daughter who carries him.
“You say that isn’t this one, so we’ll be on our way as soon as I locate the one I’m looking for,” he replies.
“So none of that head shit you did to me?” I ask to clarify.
“I will only get the information I need. Nothing more.”
“Good, good.” I nod.
I keep to myself that he can’t be looking for any of my girls. We were told to keep them virgins. I got confirmation that the other two were still pure, like Ray and Charlie, before they disappeared.
Unless by Immaculate Conception, he ain’t looking for none of my girls. It’s the only reason I agreed to arrange this meeting.
I look around the warehouse, taking in all the work the fellas have done for me. I really wanted to do something nice for Ray. I was telling the truth when I said I’ve been reminiscing about the old days.
She was such a cute kid and always had a smile for me. When Sofia left me, Ray was all I had. I’ve often wondered about her sisters.
I got to know Charlie some, but she’s never really wanted anything to do with me. I’ve always been a disposable uncle to her. The kid has had an attitude a mile long since day one.
“You ever regret not having kids? I mean, as a man of the cloth and all, do you feel like you missed out?” I ask the bishop as he sits across from me at the table where I’ll be having dinner with Ray.
He scoffs in disgust. “I serve a higher power. Such things are mundane to me. My hunters have become my children. They serve their purpose and I serve mine,” he says dryly.