Total pages in book: 206
Estimated words: 192184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 961(@200wpm)___ 769(@250wpm)___ 641(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 192184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 961(@200wpm)___ 769(@250wpm)___ 641(@300wpm)
Tommy Ferrano had come into my work and had checked me out, made himself known to me, had flirted with me, even. How long had this been planned for? Where was my dad now? I didn’t even have a phone number to call and ask him what was going on. The look on his face as I pulled away was of defeat but then two seconds later it was as if nothing happened. Drinking coffee, talking on the phone, not looking devastated. Was it all for show? And Mr. Ferrano had acted like the whole marker thing was just a ploy by Dad. What was the real story here? Who was I dealing with, really?
I excused myself to the bathroom and sent Dad a Facebook message from my phone, demanding he call or text me immediately.
Dad! What on earth? These guys say I have to marry the mafia guy’s son to clear your debt. MARRY! And if I don’t do it, we could be what? Dead? And if he doesn’t like me, I still don’t get to go home, they have ‘other’ options. WTF? Please tell me this is a prank, Dad. Write ASAP, come to the house (I’ll be here 3 hrs.), or call my cell! After that I guess I’m back at Tommy Ferrano’s house (but they may take my phone again). It’s on the corner of Jane St. and River Rd.
I knew, after Mom died, that Dad had dealings with less than desirables. Maybe he did before, too.
I remembered people coming to the door for money after Mom died. I remembered hiding in my room during the poker games in our apartment when things would sometimes get loud and out of control. More than once I’d seen Dad with bruises on his face and blackened eyes. I vividly recalled his jaw being wired shut after a night when he’d left me alone the whole night and came back in the morning, unable to talk. I’d also had guys bust in behind me when coming home from school one day and beat Dad up right in front of me, calling him a lowlife deadbeat. What was I in for here?
Dad had always been fascinated with the mob world. Like, crazy-fascinated. He and I used to watch mob movies and he’d give me a running commentary with facts throughout, about real-life mobsters, about parallels, about code of conduct, hierarchies, and so forth. He watched mob movies, mob documentaries, and the mafia came up in conversation all the time. I never got the fascination but remember my mother getting pissed about him letting me watch The Godfather when I was about six. I was here, but not enjoying my graduation party. Despite the laughter and the fun everyone else was having, I was in my own head, but couldn’t delve deep enough to ponder my fate because the reality might be too difficult to face. I just felt numb and disjointed.
I kept staring at the clock and time was flying. I knew he’d be back for me and didn’t know what’d be in store for me tonight. How would I tell everyone I wasn’t going to the dance? Tomorrow was the day I was supposed to be moving into Nono and Nona’s. My room here was already almost totally packed.
“You okay, sweetheart?” Cal put his arm around me as Rose served everyone generous slices of the large, beautiful cake with our three smiling faces on it. Susie was smiling at me with a sad look on her face. She probably figured Dad had disappointed me, too.
“Mm hm.” I tried not to choke up.
“We are so proud of you. You’re always a part of our family, okay?” He kissed my temple and moved away.
I nodded. He wasn’t usually the touchy-feely sort. My heart sank. I stepped out onto the porch and saw that Tommy Ferrano was there, parked on the street, waiting for me. I didn’t know if he was just half an hour early or if he hadn’t even left. I didn’t know if I should go to the car or go back inside and enjoy what might be my last thirty minutes of freedom.
“Tia, come! Open your graduation gifts!” Ruby called from the family room.
Damn that douchebag Greg O’Connor. It pissed me off that he’d do this to his kid. Pop had already told me that he’d broken the news to Tia that she wasn’t just a marker to be held temporarily, like her father had said. She was now property of the Ferrano family. My property, if I wanted her.
When I’d seen her in my bedroom it took everything in me to not rip her clothes off, throw her on the bed, and take her. She’d been mine from the minute Pop had told me about her and it didn’t take long for me to feel it down to my bones. I hadn’t even been with anyone since seeing her face that first time. I had zero desire to touch anyone. Anyone but her. And because I typically had pussy at my disposal every single day and it’d been weeks, I was on fire for this girl. She’d be in big trouble if I couldn’t bring this need in me to heel.