Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 117574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 588(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 588(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
“The big boss didn’t send Paolo to you,” Carlo says. “I’d bet anything on it. If my boss found out about me looking the other way when you took that money, I’d already be at the bottom of the Hudson. Trust me on that. Paolo was acting alone. Getting an easy payday. I’m sure of it.”
“Can you give us a short-term loan?” I beg. “We can get you the money in two weeks. We just need—"
“I can’t do that, sweetheart. I’ve got a wife now. A baby. My wife wouldn’t understand me doing that. She pays all the bills. Plus, I never lie to her.”
I look at Auggie. “Don’t panic, okay? I’ll call Tessa now and beg her to—”
“There’s no time for that,” Carlo interrupts. “We’re already late for the party and it’s after banking hours. Even if she agrees to send you the full amount, you wouldn’t get it till tomorrow at the earliest. Probably several days later than that, given the amount we’re talking about. And even then, I’d have to convert to cash, stuff it into a black duffel bag, and ‘find’ it at the airport. There’s no time.”
“So, what now?” Auggie says.
Carlo shrugs. “Our only choice is go to Bella’s birthday party and convince my boss you’re the same happy, carefree, fun-loving flight attendant he’s always known and adored, except for the fact that you’re now even happier because you’re engaged to the best guy, ever. You have to convince him you’re light as a feather and not feeling guilty or scared about a damned thing. Make him believe that, and we’ll be okay.”
“I don’t know if I can pull that off,” I choke out. “I feel like I could barf at any moment. My knees are wobbly. I can hardly breathe.”
“You don’t have a choice.” Carlo glares at Auggie. “And neither do you, Captain America, so wipe that terrified expression off your face and try to look like you’re living the dream.” To my shock, Carlo’s scowl suddenly morphs into a wicked smile. “You know what? Come to think of it, I think maybe this thing with Paolo could be a blessing in disguise.” His smile broadens. “I think maybe Paolo could be our fall guy now. Maybe this is our lucky break.”
“What do you mean?” Auggie asks, taking the words right out of my mouth.
“Now that I know that motherfucker is a greedy traitor, I can blame him for swiping the money in the first place. As long as you both do a good job today at the party, my boss won’t doubt me for a second when I tell him I’ve discovered Paolo’s the thief.” Carlo’s jaw sets and that vein in his neck bulges again. “Convince the big guy you’re as carefree as ever today, and I give you my word Paolo will take the fall for everything.” His dark eyes glint with homicidal rage—which, in Carlo’s case, isn’t a figure of speech. “I can’t wait to put that bastard in the big man’s crosshairs.” His nostrils flare. “Trust me, my friends, that traitorous motherfucker’s gonna deserve every fucking thing that’s coming to him.”
28
AUGGIE
“Charlotte!” a dark-haired woman calls out gleefully. “You made it!”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” Charlotte replies.
The brunette kisses Charlotte on both cheeks, and when she’s done doing that, she moves along to greeting Carlo—her big brother, from what I was told during the drive over here.
“Thank you for bringing Charlotte to us,” the brunette says in the midst of her embrace.
Carlo chuckles. “You would have kicked my ass if I didn’t.”
When the siblings disengage, the brunette smiles warmly at me. “And who’s this handsome hunk of a man?”
Charlotte clears her throat. “Angela, this is my fiancé, Auggie.”
“I was hoping this was him! I’ve heard so much about you from Carlo, Auggie. You’re gonna be an animal doctor?”
“That’s right. Nice to meet you, Angela. Thank you for having me.”
“Welcome to the family.” She hugs me enthusiastically, and when that’s done, she says to Charlotte, “Bella’s gonna be so happy her beloved Auntie Charlotte made it. She got so spoiled when you could come by once a month. She’s missed you so much lately.”
“I’ve missed her, too. No more free flights, unfortunately.”
“I heard you lost your job from Carlo. Sorry to hear that, sweetie. I know you’ll find something soon. Something even better. Mr. DiMarco always says you’re the best stewardess he’s ever had.” She snorts at the sexual innuendo and then swats my broad shoulder. “That’s served him on a flight, I mean. If there are other stewardesses he’s had who’ve maybe impressed him in other ways, I don’t wanna know about it.”
Pretending to laugh, Charlotte holds up the brightly wrapped gift she’s brought for Bella. “Is there a gift table, or?”
“There is, but Bella will want to open your gift in front of you.” She grabs Charlotte’s free hand. “Come with me, Charlotte Mickey-D.”