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)
That ring has always caught my attention. The few times I’ve interacted with my Uncle Pauly, I’ve noticed he has one too. I thought it was a family heirloom or something.
“You do know he’s not human?”
“Yeah, I know that.”
“Um, well.” He gives a curt nod and purses his lips. “He and his brothers are some sort of wizards or some shit, but I guess you know that too. They’ve kept our family out of fed shit and the money has always flowed as long as we’ve been connected to them.
“Anyways, we can only keep the bond through the males in the family. Sofia and I tried to have kids. It never happened. Pauly wasn’t having any luck either.
“So this woman introduced herself to your grandfather and said she could help. I’m not gonna lie. Life has been good as a Ricci. I wanted to keep this thing going.”
“Okay, Daddy, where’s all this going?”
“Hold on, I’m almost there. I got a woman pregnant outside my marriage. Sofia knew about it. I promised her children and this was the way. Then the woman got pregnant with the four of yous.
“Sofia was so happy. Four little girls. I was annoyed. We needed a boy, but the woman promised it would all work out.
“I’d marry one of you off and that would give me a son. Only once the four of yous were born, I was told I had to give three of yous up. I could only keep one.
“I couldn’t even look at the other three. You were the first one I held. I refused to pick up another once I was told I couldn’t keep them. You were my Ray Ann.
“I was allowed to give Pauly little Charlie, but that kid has always hated me. You, you were my sunshine. I promise you I’ve done nothing but try to protect you like I was told to.
“I had the other two watched over, but I didn’t want to know anything about them. Sofia couldn’t take knowing there were more of yous out there when she couldn’t have them.
“I swear, I should have told her they died in childbirth. She drove me crazy until the day she left me. Anyway, that’s the truth. I thought you should know what the beef is about between me and your boyfriend.”
“Is that all?”
“Yeah, he wants to be free of me and I’m still trying to figure things out. I just want you to know I love you. I have always loved you. I’m your father. Nothing can change that.”
Stabbing at my food, I think his words over. It comes to mind to tell him I love him too, but someone begins to slow clap from behind me. Warning bells go off immediately. I pause with the fork halfway to my mouth.
“Oh, how touching. Hello, Ray Ann.”
Turning slowly, I look over my shoulder. Lifting my gaze, I find cold blue eyes looking back at me. A chill runs through me.
I know this man. He’s the one who tried to run Kendrick through in the Den of Kings. I drop my fork and turn to my father.
“Daddy, what have you done?” I say to him.
“He has done as I have asked. You seem to recognize who I am. How is that, Ray Ann?”
I hate the way he says my name. Dragging out each word with disgust lacing them. I turn back to him and glare at his scowling face.
“Get out of here now,” Venus growls.
“I can’t leave my dad here with this monster.”
“Screw your father, he set you up. Don’t you see that?”
“He would never. He’s my dad.”
“Oh my gods, you’re not this stupid. Please, run. Run now.”
Before I can answer her or the man standing before me, he palms my face in his hand. My face gets warm from his touch. I fight against whatever he’s trying to do, but my eyes roll back, and I begin to lose the battle.
“No,” Venus cries out.
“What are you doing? You said you only wanted to ask her a few questions. You said you wouldn’t do none of that bullshit. Get your hand off my daughter,” my father bellows.
The sound of a struggle sounds around me. Dishes fall and crash. It sounds as if the table is turned over. I can hear my father grunting as if he’s trying to fight someone off.
“Get the fuck off me,” Daddy snarls.
I feel Venus push forward as the guy keeps his grasp on me. She’s too weak to pull on my power. I don’t know what she thinks she’s doing.
“I’m shielding you so he can’t see into your head. He’s one of them. He’s a king.
“If you let him in, he will see everything you know. I will hold him off for as long as I can. Open the door. Reach for Kendrick. Do it now.”