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)
“We bring Silvio Jr. to the table tonight,” I murmur to Jace. “I don’t want Silvio bringing this to Dario after the fact, getting him involved in something I sanctioned. I’m not ready for my brothers to know who I am yet.”
“It’s Dario’s territory. He’s going to want to handle it. Let him have his guys look into it, then send one of the girls in to clean it up.”
“And Vega?”
“Do me a favor, you know that gun shop I just purchased through that friend of ours?”
A few months back I had Ming’s father open a gun shop in his name. He’s been to me for a few favors after I saved the rink and gave it to Ming.
“Yeah, I’m listening.”
“Good, I think it needs some new clientele. You know, some advertising and marketing to drum up the right kind of business. Make sure someone really close to that fish-faced friend of ours makes a visit and tries out a few fits. You know, someone our friend would do anything for. You know what I’m talking about?”
Jace grins. “Yeah, I know what you need.”
He nods and pulls out his phone, no doubt setting things in motion. If only I could speed this all up. For now, I’m going to sit back and watch all my hard work and sacrifices unfold.
Chapter 15
Disappointment
Gio
“Mr. Di Lorenzo, here are those numbers you asked for,” Sierra, my assistant, says as she places the docs on my desk.
“Thanks,” I say without looking away from the window I’m staring out of.
I know the numbers she’s talking about have nothing to do with Di Lorenzo Industries. I asked for the inventory numbers for the Dollhouse.
Which have nothing to do with liquor or appetizers, it’s codes for favors. I have an entire system. The key is in my brain so no one would be able to decipher them. Jace, Ming, and Nyla are the only others who I’ve taught the system to, and they have memorized it as I have.
Speaking of Ming, I look down at my watch and frown. This day has been flying and nothing has gone as planned. I feel it in my gut I’m not going to be able to meet Ny’s plane when it lands. I have way too much to focus on.
I need to make this meeting with Vito happen. This is why I need Ny back. We all have parts to play. I need to restore the balance.
I pull my phone from my pocket and call Ming. I know I’m not going to make it. There are too many important moves I need to make.
“Hello, boss, what’s up?” she answers.
“Listen, I’ve done all I can to get out of here, but it’s not going to happen. Dante took the day off since Frances and Lucas have returned from Italy. Jace had to handle that thing with Alyona. I still need to handle a thing and I have paperwork out the ass. Marone, I’m rambling.” I clamp my mouth shut.
My mind is moving a mile a minute. I can’t wait to reveal our father to my brothers so they can be rid of Frances once and for all. The dumb bastard should have taken his retirement money and gone on his way.
It was the one chance I planned to offer him. His only out, but he failed to see it for what it was. I took great pleasure in pulling his company apart and selling off the pieces.
That’s the thing for me, his sons had a legacy of their own, and yet, they’re coming for mine as if it’s an option.
Ming chuckles. “It’s okay. You’re happy she’s coming back. I get it. Jace sounded the same way when he called.”
“He called?”
“Yeah, um, he wanted to check to see what time she was going to land.”
“Hmm.” He could have asked me that. I made the arrangements. However, I don’t want to place Ming in the middle, so I allow it to slide this time. “Listen, can you meet her when she lands? Take care of her guests and take her to the apartment for me.”
“Not Tuxedo?” she asks in surprise.
“No, I’m not hiding her away again. Her place is with me.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll take care of it.”
“Thanks.”
Another call comes in as I go to hang up. Switching from call to call, I pick up, seeing its Apollo.
“What do you have for me?”
“You told me to call as soon as he changed his patterns. He entered the restaurant, asking for a job.”
“Fuck outa here. When?”
“Just five minutes ago. Left his number too.”
“Send me that. I’ll see if it’s the one I have. It might come in handy.”
“You got it. What do you want me to tell Dario?”
“Report to him as he asked.”
“Got it, boss.”
“Thanks, Apollo. Stop by the Dollhouse, I’ll have something for you.”
I hang up and return to staring out of the window. So many parts are in motion. So much has changed. I plan to show Nyla that. We can live now. She can have a real life.