Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Everyone’s eyes were riveted on the brass bullet head with the words Winchester 45 Colt, surrounding an oval diamond in the center. “It’s going on the finger of the man I’ve chosen as my husband. He’s not just a DeLuca, he’s the only man I know who would take a bullet for me, without any hesitation. I’d say that’s a huge improvement over the cocksucker my da tried to sell me off to.”
“That may cause problems with our traffickin’ business,” Conor pointed out.
“Not really, considering we aren’t in that business anymore.”
“I’m expected ta follow a woman, one who’s marryin’ a DeLuca, and we’re dumpin’ a line o’ business that made us a shitload o’ money. Are ya changing everything then?” Conor asked.
“Not quite everything,” I murmured. “But the drugs are going too. And, we’re not going to fight the DeLuca’s for the weapons business anymore. I’m letting Nic take charge of the whole territory.”
Conor didn’t look happy with my answer. “That leaves us with what exactly?”
I rounded the desk, stopping at Brandon’s side when his arm snaked around my waist. “Three of our men are in prison right now, Conor. Ian’s serving hard time on weapons charges. Eric and Colin won’t be out for three more years with the amount of drugs they were caught with. Getting out of those lines of business is a smart move. It keeps my men out of the line of fire with the police.”
“And the trafficking?”
“My own father tried to sell me to another man,” I replied. “And I killed him for it. Do you really think after I did that I was just going to sit idly by and let the same thing or worse happen to other women under my watch?” Conor started to speak, and I held my hand up to let him know I wasn’t done. “Human trafficking is wrong, plain and simple. Once you’ve crossed every line, you don’t even see them anymore. Then you end up willing to do crazy things, like selling off your own flesh and blood. I won’t have it happen again, and the only way to ensure it is to cut the trafficking business out like the cancer it is. Before it touches any other women or girls in our family. Like your granddaughter.”
“Is that a threat?” he growled.
“Never,” I promised. “It’s a reminder of who I’m trying to protect with the decisions I’ve made.”
His eyes narrowed, but I still saw a hint of interest in them. “I’m all for keeping Chloe safe, but how will I keep her healthy and happy if I don’t have enough money coming in? The pubs don’t bring in enough money to support us all.”
“One of the first things a good leader learns is to build on their strengths, and so we’re going to expand our pubs and bootlegging business. Also, we’ve already got a stake in smuggling of jewels and antiquities. We’ll just have to train more people and lucky for us”—I grinned widely—“I’m an excellent thief.”
FIFTEEN
Brandon
When the meeting ended, Carly and I left for home. We were meeting up with Nic and Anna for a pre-wedding night out.
Once we were in the car and on the road, I brought up Carly’s little fib. “Kitten, we both know you didn’t go digging the bullet out of your father’s forehead. Where did it really come from?”
Carly snickered, but when I glanced over at her, she blushed. I wasn’t sure what to make of her reaction.
“Um, when I went to look at rings for you, I came across these rings. It just so happened, you had your guys repairing the wall from where the—um”—she blushed a deeper shade of red—“the bullet I shot you with had lodged.”
I started laughing and was extremely grateful to be pulling up to our house, so I could park the car and give in to the uproarious amusement bursting from me.
Once I’d caught my breath and wiped the tears from my eyes, I glanced at Carly to see her practically pouting in her seat as she watched me. I grabbed her cheeks and brought her face to mine for a hard kiss, before whispering against her mouth, “So damn cute.”
“If you don’t like it, we can—”
I kissed her again to shut her up. “I love it, kitten.”
She beamed at me, and I gave her one more peck before exiting the car and going around to open her door.
I looked around the restaurant and lifted my chin in greeting when I spotted Anna and Nic already seated at a table near the back corner. It would afford more privacy, but also ensure our outing with the head of the DeLucas would be made public.
Nic stood as we approached and shook my hand before pulling Carly in for a hug. I scowled at him and kept a hold of her hand, turning it into a brotherly, one-armed embrace. The stronzo grinned and sat back down next to his woman.