Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 74(@200wpm)___ 59(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 74(@200wpm)___ 59(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
“Thanks, Ryan,” I say absently as I try to formulate a plan.
“I know that I was needed here, boss, but I’ll be meeting you there in twenty minutes. I gotta bring my girl home,” he says before hanging up on me.
I know he is talking about my underage sister, but I don’t have time to worry about that shit right now.
“Check the dumpster,” I say to Tony, who is standing closet to it. He opens the lid and both Dane and Bobby are stuffed inside it. Tony reaches in to check for pulses, but he shakes his head.
“Get the keys to the car. Bobby should have them. Lorenzo help me get the bodies into the cars. Their mama will want to bury them properly.” Once we have them loaded up as best we can, given the circumstances, we split into twos and leave. “Let’s get the fuck out of here. The Santucci’s are going to die one by one tonight,” I vow as I peel out the alley.
The Diaz’s do not harm women and children, the Santucci’s clearly have no such issues. I am fuming mad but also scared something happened to the women as I turn the lights off before heading down the road leading to the warehouse. The plan I formulated requires the element of surprise. When we pull up, Ryan is already there and waiting on us. Tony and Lorenzo, the stealthy fucks, take out the two guards in record time without an alarm being raised. We enter the building, me in the lead and my dad taking up the rear. Both guns drawn, I sweep and clear the rooms. Lorenzo has his knife at the ready. We don’t want to alert anyone until we absolutely have to. Eventually, we come to a small, dark room where everyone but Autumn is.
“Are you guys ok?” I ask before my dad takes my mom in his arms.
Lorenzo has Betty and is kissing her like tomorrow won’t come.
Tony and Angelina do much of the same.
Shit, even Ryan and Tesoro are kissing. Is no one going to say anything about the fact that she’s not yet eighteen? Probably not, since the age of consent in New York is seventeen, but still.
“Where is Autumn?” I ask, my panic rising.
“She sacrificed herself for us. We don’t know where they took her, or if they took her from the building,” Betty says. “Where are the boys?” she asks Lorenzo.
“At home with my cousin Teresa and her wife. They are in good hands,” he responds.
“Okay, good. We have to find Autumn, now.” Betty says crying.
“We’ll find her, baby. Let’s go. Dad, take them to the car and wait for us. The rest of us will keep searching the building,” Lorenzo says, taking charge. If I don’t find her soon, I know I am going to lose it.
“The big guy by the door was about to take us home. Are Bobby and Dane okay?” Tesoro asks, tears running down her cheeks. She clings to Ryan like her life depends on it and right now it does.
“No baby girl. They aren’t,” my dad replies before feathering kisses over my mom’s face.
“Oh my God. Autumn was so brave. We have to find her. Fuck the car,” Tesoro says.
“Yeah,” Betty and Angelina say in unison.
“Autumn was so selfless, AJ. She will be a fine wife for you.”
“Thanks, Mama. We just have to find her first.”
“We will. Let’s do this,” she says, taking my dad’s hand.
We have to. There is no life without her. Two days ago, she became my whole fucking world and I’ll be damned if the motherfucking Santucci’s take her away from me.
Over my dead body.
Chapter Nine
Autumn
A distant noise causes me to jerk though I couldn’t tell you what it was. It’s cold and dark in this room. The smell of mold is getting to me and I’m feeling claustrophobic in the small space. I have paced it so many times, but I couldn’t tell you a fucking actual thing about it.
“Destiny, sweet Destiny. You should have danced for me, like a good girl,” a voice taunts me. I know that sniveling little voice though.
“Richey?” I question.
“The one and only. Are you ready to dance for me now?” he asks. Is he fucking serious?
The light suddenly comes on and it’s bright as fuck. I am temporarily blinded. Richey comes into focus sitting in a chair that has seen better days in the center of the room. How long has he been in here? I didn’t notice him when I was pacing, nor did I notice the door opening. Oh, fuck, when did I sit down? I am so disoriented right now. Did I fall asleep? Sleep sounds amazing right now. I should be warm in my bed, next to Albie, right where I belong. I shake my head, I can’t afford to sleep right now. I also can’t afford to get distracted by Albie right now.