Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77999 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77999 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
When we got back to his house, Wes led me into the living room, and there was a notable shift in his mood as he sat down next to me on the sofa. It was clear something heavy was on his mind, so I asked, “So, what did you want to talk about?”
“Before we start, I want you to know that none of this changes anything. At least, not for me.”
“Oh, this doesn’t sound good.”
“I know about your deal with my father.”
“He told you?”
“I pieced it together, and he confirmed.”
“I need you to know that him offering to help my father might’ve been why I came, but it wasn’t why I stayed.”
“I know that, and like I said before, knowing about the deal doesn’t change anything.” His voice was calm and sincere as he told me, “I still want this. I still want you and what we have here. But there’s more.”
“Oh?”
“It’s about your father.”
“What about him?”
“He wasn’t just stealing from Vittorio. There were others, and they are just as dangerous, if not more so.”
“I wish I could say that I’m surprised, but I’m not.” My throat tightened, making it difficult to talk as I said, “Dad clearly isn’t the man I thought he was.”
“He’s definitely made some poor decisions.”
“That’s an understatement if I ever heard one.”
“Dad and I talked to him last night.”
“What?” I gasped. “When? Why?”
“While I was at the clubhouse.” He let out a sigh before adding, “He’s gotta get out of town, Toni. Even if he managed to get all the money back, it’s the only way he can survive this thing. These people he was dealing with are no joke. Dad is going to keep his word to you and help as much as he can, but if these guys find out he was fucking around with their money, Carmine is as good as dead.”
“But what will he do? Where will he go?”
“That hasn’t been decided yet. Before he does anything, he wanted a chance to come by and see you.” I groaned, and he immediately added, “If you don’t want to see him, I’ll tell him to fuck off, but it might do you some good to get things off your chest.”
“He won’t be coming back?”
“Not any time soon. He’s got a lot of messes to clean up before he can even think about coming back.”
“So, this will be my one chance to talk to him?”
“Afraid so.”
“Okay, I’ll do it, but I want you to be there with me.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“When’s he coming?”
“He’s waiting at a hotel a few blocks away. I just need to text him and give him the okay to come.”
I didn’t want to see him or talk to him, but deep down, I knew it was something I needed to do. “Just tell him to come. I’d rather just get it over with.”
“You sure about this?”
“No but tell him anyway.”
Wes nodded, then sent Dad a message. A blink later, Dad responded, and Wes announced, “He’s on his way.”
“Okay.” We sat there in silence for a moment, then I turned to him and asked, “Is this why you took me on the ride this morning?”
“It might’ve had a little to do with it,” he admitted. “But I did want to ride, and I wanted you with me.”
“I’m glad you took me. I really enjoyed it.”
“Me too.”
“Before we headed back, you told me we had things to talk about. Was there anything else?”
“It can wait.”
“I’d rather go on and talk about whatever’s on your mind. I could use the distraction.”
“Okay. Fair enough.” He reached over and placed his hand on my thigh. “I just wanted to talk to you about the club.”
“Oh? What about it?”
“This really isn’t the best time.”
“Just tell me, Wes,” I pushed.
“I’ve grown up in the club. The brothers are like family to me. They are family, and they feel the same about me. And if we’re together, then you’ll be a part of that family, too. They’ll always have your back—just like they did when you were taken by Vittorio.”
“I will always be grateful to them for that.”
“I will be, too. It’s one of the many advantages of being a part of Fury, but there are some drawbacks, too.”
“Like what?”
“There are things that go on that I can’t talk to you about. Ever. It’s club business, and in a way to protect the people we care about, we don’t share it with anyone outside of the club.”
“Like last night when you left? That was club business?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“So, I can’t ask you about it?”
“You can ask, but I won’t answer. At least not in the way you’d want me to, but it’s for your own safety.”
“Safety?” My chest tightened. “That makes it sound like you’re doing things that are dangerous.”
“We do whatever we have to do to make sure our family is safe. Just like we are doing with you and your father.” The words had barely left his mouth when a car pulled up in the driveway. Dread washed over me when Wes said, “Sounds like he’s here.”