Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 53428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
* * *
Several hours later—after tons of grandmothers had prayed over me and mothers kissed my cheeks and all my new Board Executives embraced me hard as fuck while they thanked me for their freedom, I sat in the Exquisite Knot restaurant.
Tomasso dabbed a white silk cloth on three long scratches on his cheek. “Leonardo told me that Santino is less than five minutes away. We will begin shortly.”
I peered at that wounded cheek. “You sure you don’t want me to check the female that scratched your face up?”
“No. No.” Sitting next to me, Tomasso dabbed at the scratches again. “You must understand that she booked Exquisite Knot two years ago. This caterer is that good. Quite a long waiting list. And she lost her booking today due to my saying six words.”
“What were the words?”
“I am with the DeLuca Family.”
“That name makes people move even in Paradise City?”
“I have yet to see the name not work in any place on this planet. I once did a birthday party for the past Don in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. They didn’t understand much English, but they knew the word DeLuca.”
I frowned. “So, now this bride has no caterer?”
“Oh, I’m not heartless.” Tomasso moved the cloth and the scratches appeared to have stopped beading. “After the little tussle which involved my trying not to hit her as she attacked me, I gave her my assistant Knight. He secured her a new caterer, and I plan to pay for it.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I will pay.”
“No, my queen.” Santino’s voice sounded behind me. “Tomasso can foot the bill. I’m sure Don Enzo gave him a hefty budget.”
“He sure did. One of the biggest budgets I’ve had in a long time.” Tomasso rose and stepped away from the table. “I am glad that you are finally here, Santino. I will get the Chef for the tasting.”
Santino walked over to me and landed a soft, passionate kiss on my cheek. “How was your day?”
“Very productive.”
Santino moved the empty chair right next to me. Then, he sat down. “Did Dima come through with freeing your men?”
“He did, and I was there to welcome them back. I believe this will unify the Killer Crows.”
“Hmmm. Then, your place on the Killer Crow throne is solidified?”
“Yes.”
Santino leaned back. “Then, Dima can continue to breathe for now.”
I blinked.
“Just tell me when you want the Diamond Syndicate gone.”
My stomach twisted. “Ending the Syndicate has never been a part of my plan.”
“Understand my love, that it has been a part of my plan, since the first day I stepped into this city.”
What?
A cold shiver sliced up my spine.
Chapter 8
A Bigger Throne
Santino
In my mind, blood poured and flooded Paradise City’s streets. I could see a clear vision of my conquering the Diamond Syndicate and handing my queen an even bigger throne.
Yet to my surprise, fear consumed Kashmere’s cheerful expression, and I had no idea why. All I knew was that I desperately wanted to soothe her.
“What’s wrong, Kash?”
She sat up in her chair. “Santino.”
I quirked my brows.
“The Diamond Syndicate was started by my family. There is a whole history involved. I’ve already broken traditions within the Killer Crows, I will not also be the Chairman that destroyed the Diamond Syndicate.”
Shocked, I leaned my head to the side. “You don’t want me to get rid of them for you?”
“No.”
“Hmmm.”
She blinked. “What does that hmmm mean?”
“I’m thinking about this new information.”
“Dima was my brother’s best friend. Chanel also loved the hell out of him. I’ve known him since I was a kid.” Kashmere shook her head. “To see Dima dead. . .”
I let out a long breath. “I can keep him alive, and only go after Marcelo.”
“Dima will not silently stand by while you attack Marcelo.”
“And what about Lei?”
“I don’t know. He feels so guilty about my brother and sister’s deaths that he may stand by, but that still leaves Dima, and the North will not be so easy to conquer.”
“I don’t fear the North, East, or South, but I will give whatever area mercy that you chose.”
She widened her eyes. “Santino, was that yours and Don Enzo’s plan from the very beginning?”
“The DeLuca Family wants to play in Paradise City, but. . .”
“But?”
“How we play is flexible.”
“Explain.”
“Paradise City brings in millions upon millions of dirty money. This has truly become a gangster heaven.”
She nodded. “The West is a large part of those millions.”
“Once we marry, a portion will eventually go to the DeLuca Family along with my other investments and territories.”
“What cities are you in charge of?”
I grinned. “I control the entire West Coast.”
“Fuck.” She blinked. “That’s right. For some reason, I thought that was just a title, not. . .shit. The whole coast?”
I nodded. “I wish it was just a title, but that position does require me to head to the West Coast a lot more than I would like and oversee any problems that may come up.”