Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Through all my years in the game it's never been for anything but selfish reasons: Myself, the money and of course the excitement. Then I decided to grow a fucking conscience, and that’s when I get myself in over my head.
And even that wouldn’t bother me, but now I have something I care about. The girl I just put into a bubble bath and sang to, then tucked her into bed, came all over her tits and her face, then tore myself away to deal with business has settled a new, dark fist in my gut.
If Zeneli found out about Hannah, she would be used against me, of that I’m fucking sure. But it’s not just Zeneli. I’ve made plenty of other enemies over the years that may feel the need to dance back into my life for a little crudité of revenge.
I knew the moment my cock was in her ass she would be mine forever. What says perfect more than a girl that will take a hard one into her virgin back door out in the open where people might see?
Nothing, that’s what.
My foot hits the marble floor off the last step when Denny is texting me again. I only tolerate his nagging because he’s her father and she has some familial connection to him. Same with her sister, Brigid. They’re my family now, and I protect what’s mine.
Denny: Hannah can have a temper. Just if you need to put her in her place, it’s okay. Do what you need to do with her.
Fuck. If he only knew. But, as much as I want to try to care about him because he’s Hannah’s father, what the fuck? This guy texts a stranger who has his daughter at an unknown location that he approves of me doing whatever I want to her? He’s a fucktard of the highest degree.
Me: I can appreciate you’re anxious about this, Denny, but you have to trust that I’ve got this. Everything is going to work out.
I’ll make sure whatever debt he has going on is square, because if it isn’t that will affect Hannah, and I’m not about to let anything hurt her. Then, I’ll pay him to get the fuck out of her life or give him a second option that’s not nearly as pleasant for him.
Money isn’t a problem for me. I offered the Albanians ten million to smooth over our little disagreement. Zeneli didn’t want it. He wanted to play with the big boys in a more legitimate way. He wants to be part of the popular crowd. The old white guy’s club. Fucking ego. It will be his downfall but that’s not my problem.
Hannah is.
Margaret is all fluttery hands and come-hither eyes as I tuck my phone away and walk through the entry to a wood paneled room with a coffered ceiling and a long bar set up across the back. I recognize some of the men with her from earlier but there’s only one I want to meet.
William Glover.
He’s the brains behind the new casino complex, with Margaret’s money behind him. He’s got enough politicians in his pocket to make anything he wants happen.
“Bill Glover?” I ask, nodding to everyone else but letting him know they are all secondary. “Margaret speaks very highly of you. You’re the man to talk to if I want to get things done in this city.” I pause as we finish our handshake, and gesture to Margaret. “She’s quite something, isn’t she?”
That earns me a blushing smile. She’s so fucking easy.
Glover nods on a swallow of his whiskey, and from the slight curve of his lips, he knows I’m blowing blazing Vegas sunshine up Margaret’s ass.
And he approves.
“She certainly is. Margaret says you are the man to meet to put something together that will solve our staffing issues and reduce our human resources obligations by half. Over ten years…that will make us all rich.” He smiles. “Who am I kidding? We’re already rich. Richer. That’s always the goal, isn’t it? Keep the money where it belongs.” He chuckles like only rich old white guys do, like life is just a game and keeping everyone else from playing is the ultimate score.
I nod and launch into inconsequential bullshit. Give, give, give, then ask. Sales 101.
I laugh at every lame joke, ask questions, get them another drink, then another. I ask more questions, reading more into what they don’t say than what they do. Then, I ignore them.
I say nothing.
First one to speak loses.
Lather, rinse, repeat. It’s patience that takes home the trophy.
Within an hour, Bill would eat out of a dog food bowl if I told him to.
I assure him my connections will solve his staffing problems. I have him on the hook, and now, it’s time to leave him hanging without mentioning the specific details of the deal that will save my life.