Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“I’m just worried that I’m a distraction, you know? That Julien needs to focus on finishing the war with Dusan and getting his grandfather. And instead, he’s worrying about me.”
Valentina stops walking. She faces me and suddenly grabs my hands. Her expression is fierce as she stares into my face, and I’m taken aback.
“You’re not a distraction, Brianne. You’re good and strong and worthy, right? Just look at him. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Julien so happy before.”
A lump forms in my throat. “Really?”
“Absolutely.” She squeezes my hands and lets me go. “Come on. Let’s head back to the house. I suspect the boys are going to need some help.”
I clear my throat and wipe my face. I don’t know why she’s being so nice to me, but I’m beginning to feel like I have some confidence in myself for the first time in my life. Maybe she’s right—maybe I really can fix Julien’s flaws in the same way he fixes mine.
Maybe I really am worthwhile.
Back at the house, we find Ronan and Julien drinking whiskey in the office. Valentina closes the door as I take the chair next to Julien. He reaches out and touches my knee gently like he couldn’t wait to touch me again. Like that ten-minute break was too long.
“We came to a decision,” Julien says, looking at me carefully. “But I don’t think you’re going to like it.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because your husband is going to risk his life again,” Ronan says, looking grim. “And there’s nothing I can say that’ll convince him otherwise.”
“What about me? Think I can make you change your mind?”
“No, baby, because I’m doing this for you.” He finishes his whiskey and stands up. “It’s time we took care of Pascal and ended this mess.”
Chapter 43
Julien
Ispend the next few days staking out the Carter Building.
It’s an upscale apartment complex with decent river views just south of the downtown area. There’s a lot of foot traffic and an underground parking complex with an elevator accessible only via swipe card. The main lobby’s guarded by two people at all times, the front desk clerk and the head of security, and they have CCTV cameras watching the interior.
There are Bianco men too. I don’t spot Pascal, but I do see the Bianco thugs hanging around. Their schedules are predictable though, almost like they want me to figure out their patterns and routines. Almost like they’re hanging my grandfather out to dry.
“What do you think?” I sit low in the seat of my BMW with Brianne by my side. I can’t stand leaving her alone in that apartment all day long while I’m out here working. It’s not exactly safe to bring her, and it’s definitely boring, but I feel better having her by my side.
“I think it’s not going to be easy.” She chews her lip, looking thoughtful. “The lobby’s out, right? I mean, they’ll see you coming.”
“Totally agree.”
“And since we can easily tell the Biancos protection detail’s schedule, we’ll have a pretty good window to make our move.”
“But how do we get up to the penthouse?”
She nods at the garage entrance. “From down there. The elevators will take us all the way up.”
“We need a card for that.” I lean across the car and brush hair from her neck. “How do you propose we get one?”
“Easy.” She turns and faces me. I kiss her gently. “We wait for a resident to show up and rob them.”
I bark out a laugh and kiss her again, this time deeper. She returns the kiss, the fiery little monster, and I know she’s right. It won’t be as easy as she’s making it sound, but that’s the general plan. Steal a card, ride the garage elevator up, and get at my grandfather.
“You know, I’m impressed at your criminal mind,” I say, lingering on her mouth with mine. “I’m tempted to take you back home and punish you for having such bad thoughts.”
“Promise? I think we still have a few boxes to check off my list.”
I grab her and pull her onto my lap. She shrieks and laughs, but I hold her ass tight and kiss her mouth hard. Anyone could walk past, but I don’t give a shit.
I want my wife, and I’m not going to be denied.
But she wriggles free after kissing me for a couple minutes.
“Don’t act like you’re shy all of a sudden,” I snarl at her.
She bats me away. “Keep focused,” she scolds, her face flushed and her lips slightly swollen. God, she looks fucking perfect. I don’t know how I’m not spending every day with her in bed.
But she’s right. We spend the afternoon watching, and when it gets close to the Bianco shift change, I drive her back to the apartment. We kiss goodbye on the threshold, and I make sure to check my gun before heading back to the parking garage. It’s around seven at night, and the Biancos will only be hanging around for another half hour—then I have a solid twenty-minute window before they’re back.