Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 154882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
“I’m going for it anyway,” Sienna called over the noise. “They’re not going to stay here much longer with lap dances calling their names. I’ll get him out into the alley. Wait for us there.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, it’ll be fun.” Damned if she didn’t look like she was having fun too. “Bosses have minions to do their bidding. You can’t go around summoning people on your own.”
It took more coaxing, but she finally got me to leave and let her do her thing. I comforted myself that Bane was nearby watching.
Cooper’s alley was as glamorous as the seedy, sticky-tabled dive I walked out of. As in, not at all.
Bags of garbage missed the dumpster and ended up a five-foot-high pile of stink in the corner. The bags shook as whatever critters lived in it feasted. Brick walls on three sides, all depicting the finest Cinco City street art had to offer. I posted up underneath a green squid forming the letters “BB” with its tentacles. Sienna came out minutes later.
“—damn good in those shorts, baby. Love to see them on my floor stained with jizz.”
My hairs stood on end clocking that disgusting leer and the even more vile words aimed at my sister’s backside. Twelve showers and a chemical peel? Vito didn’t waste two seconds proving Genny right.
“Coming before I even get my pants off?” Sienna rebounded—Bane’s master student. “Not a wise move, admitting to a girl you can’t get to the finish line.”
“Oh, I can fu—”
“Shut your fucking mouth,” I snapped. Sienna could hold her own, but I wasn’t about to watch the perv show when I had a job to do.
If anything, Vito’s grin widened. “Easy, darling. I’ve got enough for the both of you.” Vito snatched me to his chest. I flashed, grabbed his ear, and twisted.
“Ahh! Ah, fuck! Okay!” He got his hands off me. “Let go.”
I shoved him back. “Better.”
“Damn, what the hell do you two want?” The skeezy letch vanished fast, and the pissed letch took his place. “She said you had a proposal I’d be interested in. If it ain’t your pussies, fuck off.”
“Charming,” I said dully. “Our pussies aren’t on the table, Vito. I’m married.”
“Then you can fuck off twice. Waste of my—?”
“Stop. Talking. Every word you utter gets me closer to changing my mind. Just listen,” I began. “I am married— Or, I was married to a guy I think you’ve heard of. Sole Bellisario.”
Vito’s face shuttered closed. “Walk out of this alley now, or you and that hot piece of tail will be carried out. And you won’t be looking as pretty as when you came in.”
Disgust curled my lip. “You’re talking, Vito. Didn’t I tell you not to do that? Now your cut of the money dropped five percent.”
“What mon—?”
“Ten percent.”
Vito closed his mouth. I had a feeling he would at the magic word: money.
“As I was saying, I married Sole, and after his death, I inherited his money, cars, apartment, and the gang that goes with them.”
Vito’s eyes widened, the lone reaction to hearing Sunny was dead. It seemed word hadn’t stretched this far into Harlow.
“I run the Sons of Saint and North Quay now, and it turns out, boss is a good color on me. The Merchants let me take over because I’m Sunny’s wife, but it’s obvious they don’t trust me. They second-guess, or override, every decision I make. I can’t leave the house without their guards tailing me. I get only half of Sunny’s cut as boss. The rest is split between Genevieve, Liam, and Bane.”
What does this have to do with me? read loud and clear on his face.
“I’m taking... steps,” I said carefully, “to get out from under their control and run my crew, my way. I’m sure you know better than anyone that’s no easy feat.”
Vito’s jaw clenched. “Yeah, you could say that.”
I didn’t clock him for talking, since he was also listening. “I’ll get to the point. I’m looking for allies—discreetly. Once I make my move, I need friends at my back, and I hear you’re a good friend to have in the fight against the Merchants.”
“Is that what you heard?” he said, laced with sarcasm. “Who exactly is telling you shit about me? You think I’m falling for this? Coming up to me, saying you’re Sunny’s wife, and running his crew? My hard, tanned ass.” He ripped something out of his pocket. A glint of silver, then the blade bit my throat. “Who are you really?” he hissed. “What do you want?”
Sienna surged forward. I threw up my hand, stopping her. I knew Vito wouldn’t make this easy on me. My play was to remain calm and confident. Confidence fooled people better than lies.
“I told you who I am. Sunny and I kept our relationship a secret, but there’s nothing to hide now. He’s gone and someone had to step up in his place. You can ask around North Quay and everyone will tell you it’s me.”