Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
“So I’m to let him set the world on fire and be ready with the extinguisher?” she scoffs.
“Yes, if you love him.”
She falls silent for the rest of the ride. When we arrive at the house, I get out and smile. Moving to the trunk, I open the bag of weapons. I choose the katana and test its weight in my hand.
“Andiamo,” I say and saunter to the house.
Nyla
I sit at the kitchen island, watching as Ava bags Bertice Kurmar’s head in a plastic bag. The surprised look in her eyes is still on her dead face.
Ava wasted no time chopping her head off. This woman is cold. I guess she wouldn’t find Gio’s actions off. I don’t know if I’m looking for a reason to run or if it was the threat to Nonno that has made me so mad.
Ava’s right though. I can’t run. I may not like it, but I won’t take off. Admittedly, I’m still working through my issues. I might be looking for reasons to be angry with Gio.
“Sparks are about to fly from your ears. A cosa stai pensando?”
What am I thinking? That’s a loaded question. I chew on my lip and knit my brows. If anyone would understand, it would be Ava.
“It’s self-sabotage. I know it is. I’ve waited so long to live my life. Now that it’s happening, I have this feeling like it’s going to be snatched away. I’m so afraid I’ve been trying to find things to be annoyed about.
“I don’t know how to stop it. I know I’m frozen at sixteen, but I don’t know how to heal and grow up. I’m trying. I’m trying so hard.”
“Nyla, we all grieve differently, you were still a child when your life exploded before your eyes. Anyone who can’t understand who you’ve become because of that has never been through something so traumatic.
“I think you’re doing better than most, but you are the only one who can give you permission to be free. You have to say enough and mean it. I’ve always wanted you for Gio because you match his energy. When you three come together, you’re this force.
“Heal, then take that for all its worth. You have the potential to have a great life. Now, help me get this body bagged.”
“Oh, I wasn’t sure if you wanted to leave more parts in the freezer. Ming will handle the rest of the body. That bitch is going to ash land,” I say.
Ava claps her hands together as if cleaning them off. “Well, my work is done here. Andiamo, let’s get this old ghost back on her flight. Next time I’ll be coming home for my resurrection.”
“I can’t wait.”
Chapter 52
Perfect Act
Nyla
I sit at my laptop looking over statements for our businesses. The hotel, dispensaries, online loans, online betting sites and the security and hits firm. We’ve done well for ourselves.
I’ve done exactly what Gio asked for, I’ve found a bunch of earners and the best part is I’m the one-person crew he needs to keep them running. Well, there’s our tech staff, but that’s not what I mean.
In this thing, all the families have crews and territories. Online we’re not fighting for neighborhoods or worrying about who can’t get their crew to earn and kick up. The best part of all this stuff is it can’t bring a RICO case to Gio’s door.
Jace stays on top of the laws and changes, and we adapt to skirt around the changes when things become illegal. It’s a smooth machine. Between overseeing all this for Gio, training dolls, and running my gaming channel with Lizzy, I’m always busy.
I’ve never left Gio in a lurch when it comes to the businesses. I’ve done my part even from a distance.
Suddenly the scent of something delicious fills my nostrils. Then a bag appears before me. Gio places a bottle of tequila on the table and dips to kiss the side of my neck.
“What’s this?”
“I heard you on the phone earlier. You said you wanted tacos and a bottle of tequila so you could relax tonight.
“Are you trying to make up with me?” I say with a little smile.
“I know you’re going to still give me attitude for at least another week, but this is a start toward some makeup sex,” he teases before kissing my neck again.
“I don’t know about the makeup sex, but I’m killing those tacos and that bottle. Get a glass, I might share.”
“Are you working on that thing for the Andersons to find?”
“I finished that. I uncovered everything I’ve been blocking for the last few years. They’ll be able to find Kaling’s handiwork with no problem.”
“Good. I spoke to Dante earlier. I’ll call Dario tonight to finish setting things in motion. What about Riccardo’s shell company? Were you able to link the funds to it?”