Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
And I have no clue what to say. How am I supposed to answer that question? Tell him the only reason I went along with this insanity is to one day stab his son in the chest and maybe, if I’m very smart and very lucky, maybe get to kill him, too? That his son held a gun to my head and made me come so hard I lost all sense?
Instead, I look down at the floor, feeling weak and stupid. “I’m doing what I have to do.”
He laughs once, sharply. “Sounds like you’re a happy, blushing bride then.”
“Enough,” Luca says, reasserting control. “I’ll get the crime lords involved. We’ll bring their drugs under our control. This is going to profit the whole Famiglia, Papa.”
“We’ll see. All I ask is that you don’t forget your brother. You have three months, boy. Three months before I tell every hitman, soldier, and capo under my control to find your wife and kill her.”
Luca says nothing, only turns and walks to me. He grabs my arm and drags me after him, and the last thing I see is his father picking up the gun and smiling as he holds it out and pretends to pull the trigger mouthing the word bang.
Chapter 10
Kacia
His suite is in the far corner of the right house. It’s airy and light and more like an apartment, with its own sitting area, two bathrooms, a small kitchen, and a master bedroom. It’s beautiful, but feels stale and lifeless: there are lovely black and white photographs on the walls and little flourishes like succulents on the windowsill and small statues on the bookshelves, but none of it feels personal. It’s like an interior decorator staged the place.
“I don’t live here often,” he admits as he tosses my bag in the bedroom. “But right now, I think we’re better off being close to the action.” He walks to a bar near the fireplace and pours himself a whiskey. He stands near the window and takes a long sip. I watch him, not sure what to do, feeling awkward and out of place.
This is my husband and my life, and I have no clue what I’m doing.
“I have friends in LA,” I blurt out, not sure why I’m doing it. “They haven’t heard from me in months. I’m sure they’re worried.”
“You can call them. No internet.”
“But—”
“For right now, no internet. Not until you learn how to control yourself.”
I bristle at that. “I’ve been living in a crime family my whole life. You think I don’t know how to keep my mouth shut?”
“I think you hate me enough to post something you shouldn’t. I’ll get you a phone.”
I take a deep breath and let it out. Calming breaths. This is a good first step at least. Adrienne will be happy to hear from me, and Libby and Ceris are probably wondering if I’m dead. They don’t know about my family or any of that, but they do know I went to Greece for a vacation and never came back. I wonder if they called the cops or something. That’d be just my luck.
I don’t love that he’s controlling my internet usage, but one thing at a time.
“What about food? Moving around the house? Can I go for a run?”
“We’ll run together,” he says, still not looking at me. “Food will be provided by the staff.”
“I’m living in a fancy hotel then.”
“Basically, yes.”
“Am I free to explore or am I confined to my room?”
“When I’m not around, you’re confined.”
“Which means I’m screwed, basically. You might as well chain me to the bed.” I blush immediately and regret my choice of words, but he doesn’t jump all over it.
He takes a long sip and turns around. “What did you expect?” he asks quietly. “You thought you’d get to go for a jog in Central Park and maybe disappear?”
“No, I just—”
“I haven’t forgotten anything, flower. Nothing. I know you’re still biding your time. I know you’re going to put a knife in my back the second I give you the chance. Don’t think just because I like the way you look in heels that I’m going to let you fuck me.”
“No, you’d much rather fuck me.”
He chuckles and sips his whiskey. “Yeah, flower. That’s right.”
“This was your idea, Luca. Don’t forget that, either.”
“I won’t. And I won’t go easy on you, don’t worry.” He turns to me and finishes his drink. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be back.”
“Where are you going?”
“I need to see what those capos downstairs are saying about our arrangement and I need to make a few calls. It’s time to do damage control.”
“And I’m supposed to sit around here?”
“Exactly.” He puts his glass down. “I’m sure you can find something to occupy yourself.” He walks to the door and gives me a lingering look before disappearing into the hall and closing the door behind him.