Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 94048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Emily’s food arrives and, to my absolute fucking astonishment, she tucks in. Vito nods at her approvingly, and I take the opportunity to steer the conversation toward why we came in the first place.
“You know what’s happening with me and my father,” I tell the old Capo as Emily makes approving grunting noises and slathers her steak with A1 Sauce. “And you know how bad things are on the streets. We need a change, Vito.”
The old capo may be loud and kind of a prick, but he’s smart and there’s a reason he’s at the top of the Famiglia’s hierarchy. “You think you’re that change, huh, kid? Yeah, I remember when you sat in as the Don. You did good back then. But your old man isn’t dead.”
“You’re wrong about that.” My voice drops but I can feel all the men in the room listening in. “Alessandro Bianco’s been dead since he got shot.”
“He’s a pretty fucking good zombie then.” Vito grins at his own joke. Emily gives him a little laugh and elbows me in the side, winking. I could fucking kill her or kiss her, and I can’t tell which yet.
“You know what I mean. Vito, he’s in pain. He’s pushing through it but only because he’s got an unlimited supply of Vicodin. He needs a break, and we need a Don that’s up for a fight, because we’re getting a fight whether we like it or not.”
Vito hems and haws and doesn’t want to get pinned down. I push him a little harder, since the guy can’t just turn his back on the Don that gave him all his power, but we both know where this dance ends. My father’s past his prime, and it’s time someone else took over.
Emily finishes her food and practically licks the plate. She sits back with a sigh and takes a long drink from her gin and tonic. “Vito, my friend, that was fantastic. I think I’m pregnant now.”
He hoots at that. “You wouldn’t be the first girl I’ve gotten pregnant, my dear, but please forgive the joke, Simon.”
I give him a hard look. “Careful.”
He barks another laugh and slaps me on the back. “Don’t worry. That girl only has eyes for you. Have you noticed? The way she looks at you like you’re the moon and she’s the stars? It’s enough to make this old, jaded fucking bastard start to believe in true love again.” He sighs, hamming it up and elbows Emily. “What do you think? Should I put my weight behind Simon?”
“All of it,” she says very seriously.
He grunts in reply and his smile fades. “No blood,” he says, speaking very quietly now, almost right into my ear. “If we do this, there can’t be blood. The second we start shooting our own people is the second I walk away. Do you hear me?”
“I can’t promise that,” I say, meeting his gaze. “But we want the same thing. I need to do this clean. I just don’t know how my dad’s going to react.”
He sighs and nods. “Your old man is a fighter. He’s a scrappy motherfucker. Even if he’s ready for retirement, he’s still formidable.”
I can’t even argue with that.
We hammer out some more details and Emily keeps on buttering him up, and by the time we leave, I have a promise of support from Vito. It’s not solid and I don’t trust him, but it’s a very good start.
Back in the truck, Emily leans her head on my shoulder. She groans as she presses a hand to her belly. “I don’t think I’ve ever eaten that much steak before in my life.”
“He loved you,” I tell her and kiss her forehead. “You were pretty impressive in there.”
“I was trying to charm him. Now I’m a little drunk and full of meat.”
“You were amazing,” I say softly and tilt her chin toward me. “I loved you too, you know.”
Her eyes go wide just a fraction. My heart hammers in my chest, but I’ve never been more sure of something before. I don’t know how she’s going to respond, but I need to tell her now while I can, because I’m not sure what’s going to happen from here. Something might happen and I could die without ever being able to say how I feel, and I don’t want that.
“You… loved me?” She asks, eyes very wide.
“Come on, you’re not surprised. I’m falling hard for you, Emily Bianco. It fucked me up, it’s ruining me every day, and I need it like water. I need you, baby, and I love you.”
She brightens like dragging up a pair of old blinds. She practically glows as she throws herself at me, apparently no longer worried about the steak. Her mouth buries mine and I kiss her back, holding her tight, growling into the kiss. When we break apart, she’s panting. “Same,” she says.