Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 240(@200wpm)___ 192(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 240(@200wpm)___ 192(@250wpm)___ 160(@300wpm)
My mouth was dry, so trying to form any words was impossible. Finally, after telling myself to woman-the-fuck-up, I cleared my throat and shifted on my feet. “I have a proposition for you.”
He lifted a dark brow. He looked me up and down with the most unimpressed expression a human could muster.
“My brother and father…” I licked my lips, my throat feeling tight and dry. “They've gotten themselves into some trouble with you.” He still showed no reaction and didn’t break eye contact. I did everything in my power to keep my focus on him. I knew it would come across as weakness if I didn’t. The last thing I wanted was to show that in front of this man. “Their names are–”
I liked to tell myself I was truly doing this because they were my only remaining family. But the truth was, my hand was being led in this decision. If I didn’t come up with the money to bail them out, no amount of running or hiding would save me.
“I know who owes me money, Miss Johnson.”
My heart worked overtime. I didn't know why I was so taken aback by the fact he clearly knew who my brother and father were. Of course, he’d know all his business dealings. He wouldn't be as high on the food chain if he didn’t.
“You know my name.” I didn't phrase it like a question, and the slight lift of his mouth wasn’t at all humorous.
“Of course.” He pushed away from the desk and stalked toward me. “I need to know all the lifelines of the pieces of shit who owe me, so that if need be, I know where to take lives.”
I realized I’d been backing up as he walked closer, so now the cold, cinder block wall stopped my escape.
“I know everything about you, Liliana Johnson.” His voice had dropped lower, deeper. “I knew you were asking around about me and trying to find me. You think I give my location out to anyone who comes knocking?” He ran his thumb over his bottom lip, then sucked in his teeth as if the very thought annoyed him. “Such a pretty, little thing you are. I could devour you before you even knew it.”
His voice was low, deadly. I couldn’t understand him, his voice deep and dark, his pronunciation of Liliana flawless and beautiful even though he seemed so deadly.
“I feel starved.” His gaze dropped to my lips. “How the fuck do you think you got this meeting with me? You think I didn’t make sure I had every single minute of you here planned before I sent word out to have men bring you to me?”
Oh God. I’d made a terrible mistake. My heart was beating so hard it hurt, the pain unlike anything I’d ever felt before. It was fear. Real, bone-deep fear that held me immobile.
I thought I held the cards in this meeting, had the upper hand. How wrong I'd been.
“Your douchebag father owes me fifty grand, and that's increasing daily with interest.” His voice dropped even lower. It was a tone I was sure he reserved for those he was about to strangle.
My throat squeezed tighter. God, I didn't know it was that much.
“And your brother, the dickless motherfucker who’s not only a user but also peddling his inferior quality, made-in-the-bathroom shit in my territory owes me twenty grand in potentially lost revenue.”
I pressed my palms flat against the stone behind me, the rough, chilly feeling not doing a damn thing in calming me down. I feared I’d pass out from Matteo’s stare alone. I realized he had a slight accent, not one that was very noticeable, but his clear anger, although concealed, was still noticeable.
“So, are you the one who's going to come up with that money, Liliana?” He moved a step back, and I sucked in a breath of air. “Because I planned on having a private meeting with both assholes and seeing what they came up with for terms of payment.” He grinned then, all straight, white teeth that reminded me of a predator knowing he had its prey in a death hold.
“I could never come up with that kind of money.” My voice was barely audible.
“Is that right?” He sounded bored. “What were your intentions by coming here?” He crossed those beefy arms over his wide chest and stared down at me. He scanned me from toe to head, a disgusted look on his face. “Let me guess.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, the sound of his palm scraping over his stubbled jaw overly loud in the still room. “You’re wearing clothes that make me think you’re willing to sell your body for a little coin.” His voice sounded so… bored.
His gaze was trained right on mine, his gray irises looking so dark it was like a reflection of the pits of hell, I was sure.