Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19305 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19305 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 77(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
“Who is this?” I ask with the sort of confidence a man in my position shouldn’t have.
But maybe that’s what this is all about. I live for the thrill. Life and death is a meaningless endeavor, and it’s best to take one punch after the next. Eventually, they have to come to an end, won’t they?
“Reed?” The speaker’s voice is husky.
“I asked who you are. I know who I am.”
Through the sea of people making their way through the mall for their early evening shop, I see Valerie at her station. She’s a cashier inside a shoebox-sized clothing outlet that hasn’t seen all too much business in the three days I’ve been watching.
It’s official. I’m losing it. Another battle against myself for someone who can and will ruin the rest of my life. I’ve gone so far as to start following her around. Never letting her leave my sight for longer than I must while I tend to church duties. I’ve watched her work. Seen her choose delightfully sexy outfits for our future meet-ups. And of course, peeked through her bedroom curtains while she believed herself alone.
She lights a fire deep in my soul, and I feel the inferno burn hotter every second.
“Arrogant until the end,” he says. “You know, that’s what I liked about you. A confident man who wasn’t afraid to swing his dick around in the face of real danger. It’s why I knew you were the man for the job.”
“I was wondering how long it would take you to find me.”
I haven’t been able to get Valerie out of my head. Her beauty, the sweet smell of vanilla lingering on her skin, the taste of her cunt.
“Cipriani?” I bring a cup of coffee to my lips and take a sip.
She’s bored. I can tell by the way she flips through her magazine, eyes desperately raising to the door anytime someone passes a few steps too close. Her smile brightens at the potential customer, only to be replaced by a childish pout when it’s another false alarm.
Both melt my heart.
“Where’s the money, Reed?” He doesn’t answer my question, but he doesn’t have to. I figured it would be Alfonso Cipriani from the very first call. The man is insistent, and he’s not going to give up his hunt because I don’t answer the phone.
“Now, why would you think I’d answer that?”
“Because you’ve killed two of mine and stole from me. You know what happens to the men who fuck with me, don’t you?” Annoyance laces his words, though he tries his best to keep a calm demeanor. “Give me the money you stole, and I’ll consider sparing your life.”
“Don’t bullshit me. We both know I’ll be dead before the money bags hit the floor.” I scoff. I shouldn’t be so nonchalant to these threats, but I can’t help myself. Alfonso Cipriani isn’t the first thug with whom I’ve stepped into the ring, but he is the biggest. “But you’re right. I feel like I owe you something, and I always make good on my debts.”
From the distance, I watch Valerie lift her head again. This time, it isn’t for a passerby who might turn into a customer. Instead, she’s squinting directly at me. She’s even leaning forward in her chair; those magnificent tits pressed together in the deep V of her top to get a better view.
Shit, she’s noticed me. I haven’t fully come to terms with following her around, let alone trying to explain it to her. We shared a few hot moments of pleasure together, and this behavior borders on psychopathic. Time to get the fuck out of here.
I wait for a small crowd of people to block her view before getting out of my seat. I drop a twenty-dollar note on the table and vanish into the crowd.
“I’m listening,” Alfonso says.
“Use this as a teachable moment. You hired a thug to do the work of your goons, and you lost out. You were prepared to lose the two men who accompanied me in the bank, and you shouldn’t be surprised that my loyalties lie only with myself. You chose the wrong dog for the fight, son, and that’s a lesson you can carry with you for the rest of your life,” I say.
“I thought as much,” Alfonso sighs. “You’ve made a powerful enemy today, Reed Murphy. You’ve chosen to stand against giants, and I will make you suffer.”
“Then you might as well call me David with how I’ll fuck you up if you pursue this venture of yours.” I guess pretending to be a preacher has its benefits. I wouldn’t have thought of the David versus Goliath fable had I not stepped into the role.
Alfonso starts screaming obscenities on the other end. I kill the call and pocket my phone.
I’m not oblivious to how fucked I’ll be if he catches up to me. This chat was a wake-up call. A reminder of why I’m in Aurora at all. My stay here is supposed to be a jumping-off point before I ride into the sunset with my ill-gotten gains. But there’s so much more at stake now.