Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
He doesn’t respond but he reaches in his pocket and pulls out a pack of gum. I try to keep my hand from shaking as I reach out to take a piece. I’m not scared of him. He’s not giving me those vibes, and I’ve been around enough men to pick up on it if he were a danger to me. No, I think I’m just shaking because of everything I’ve been through. It’s not every day a girl finds out her father sold her into sex slavery. I knew he was a monster, but I thought he might have limits.
I guess I was wrong.
I put the gum in my mouth, savoring its peppermint flavor and hoping it helps my nausea. I wad the wrapper up unsure of what to do with it. Victorio answers that question when he reaches out his hand, palm up. I swallow and then put it in his hand.
“What’s going on here?”
I look up to see Antonio marching toward us. Victorio turns around and shakes his head. “Just getting her inside for safety.”
“Safety would be her ass in the car with the door closed and you out here with the gun drawn, knowing when motherfuckers approach,” Antonio spews out, clearly still angry.
“I was about to close the door,” Victorio points out.
“You were holding her damn hand. I’m not Niko. You can keep that pretty face of yours away from Lina. Got it?”
“Got it,” Victorio answers, and he unwisely seems to smile and barely contain his laughter. I think if I was in his place, I wouldn’t find that smart at all.
Antonio all but shoves him out of the way. His dark eyes lock onto mine and I shiver at the expression on his face. “Scoot your ass over, Lina.”
I start to argue, but I think it’d be smarter to do as he asks. I’ve had enough excitement for one day—for a lifetime really. I quickly move over as Antonio crowds his large body over against me. I move over more, intent on making it to the other side and putting some distance between us. Before I can achieve that, he reaches out and somehow lifts me up and slides under me. I squeak, holding my head down afraid I will hit the top of the cab as he maneuvers. I don’t realize that I have my eyes closed until I peek through one eye and find him smirking down at me.
God, I’ve forgotten how beautiful he is.
“Stay away from Victorio,” he orders me.
“Uh…you’re the one who told him to bring me to the vehicle,” I point out.
“I need to hire some ugly bodyguards,” he responds with a frown.
“Huh?” I ask because at this point, I’m completely lost.
“Are you feeling better?”
I put my hand on my stomach and let out a sigh. “Still queasy.”
His hand moves over mine. “You’ve had a hard time of it. It will get better.”
“It will?” I whisper.
“Yeah.”
“Are you going to jail for killing Doyle Kelly?”
“He’s not dead yet.”
“He’s not?”
“Nope. Would you care?”
“I’d rather you not go to jail,” I admit. He seems to like my answer because he bends down and kisses my forehead. When he pulls back, I let out a sigh and relax fractionally. I really have missed Antonio. I take in a breath and let the smell of his cologne seep into my lungs. “Will there be a war?”
“With your father or with the Kellys?”
“Either? Both? Does it matter? War is war.”
“Your brother is anxious to take over the reins and willing to work with your husband. Although I’m not sure he’s going to like the fact it will be under the DeLuca name. As for the Kellys, absolutely. Sadly, Killian is leading that, not me. I do get to make an example of their leader. I’m letting that and the fact you’re in my arms again appease me.”
“Work with my husband? But I didn’t marry Doyle Kelly and I must tell you that if you try to make me, I’ll do something drastic.”
He looks at me, his face scrunched in dislike. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“You said my brother was anxious to work with my husband,” I remind him.
“Exactly. Me. You’re marrying me, Lina.”
“I…what?”
“You’re marrying me,” he repeats.
“Did I miss the part where I agreed to this?” I ask as I hear the doors to the front of the SUV open. I glance up to see Victorio in the passenger seat. I don’t look at the driver—I’m afraid to take my eyes off Antonio that long.
He wants to marry me?
“You agreed to that when you let me put my dick in you,” he reasons.
I find myself shaking my head no. “That’s not true.”
“Excuse me?”
“Well, I know I’m the novice here, but I doubt very seriously you’ve married every woman you’ve slept with.”
“None of the women before you were virgins.”