Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 72591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Setting the broom down I all but jog to the door, pulling it open with much more force than needed. On the other side stands my father, in his suit, his eyes flick up to mine and I gesture for him to walk in. He steps inside and I close the door behind him. His eyes dart over the furniture, tv, and light art that we have on the walls. I surely hope he doesn’t plan to comment on the place because I can’t handle any such discussions.
“As your father, I’m disappointed in myself that I didn’t get to see this place before you bought it. I don’t want you making bad buying decisions.”
I shrug. “I didn’t ask you to come over here so we could talk real estate. I asked you here to talk about this scumbag, Rick. Please tell me you got some dirt on him. Something that will actually hold in court?”
My dad’s frown deepens, and I know he doesn’t have good news to share with me before he even opens his mouth. “Rick might be scum, but unfortunately, he isn’t stupid. He’s covered his tracks well which isn’t surprising since he’s a lawyer, and any of the times he didn't he made certain no one would talk. We found some other girls, but none of them are willing to talk. It’s not looking good, son. All we can do is wait and hope he slips up or that someone is brave enough to come forward and testify. In cases like this, it normally takes one person to come forward and only then do others follow. The problem here is no one wants to be the first. These girls are scared, and rightfully so, this process isn’t an easy one, and it’ll be brutal at times, but that’s the way the legal system works. There is nothing I can do when I have no victims that want to speak out against him.”
I can’t help myself my fist makes contact with the closest object, which happens to be a nearby lamp. It falls to the ground with a heavy crash, shattering into a million pieces. My chest heaves up and down, the raging bull of anger threatening to break free. I need to get myself under control, calm down, think clearly.
Nostrils flaring, I say, “I need your help, we need to get rid of Rick, there must be something we can do? He attacked Emerson again, on campus this time.” I pause, exhaling a ragged breath to try and calm myself. “If you don’t help me, then I won’t be held responsible for what I do.”
“Whoa, slow down, son.” He puts his hands up in the air. “That’s… did you talk to Emerson and see what she wanted to do?”
Like I wouldn’t talk to her first.
“Of course, and she didn’t want to press charges. She is scared shitless and like you, she believes that nothing will come of going to the police. That it will be her word against his, but I don’t care, I won’t let him get away with this. I won’t have her worried about him popping up wherever she is. She can’t live the rest of her life in fear because of him.” I can’t stop thinking about it. Like I’m obsessed with the thought of needing him gone, wiped from existence. I love Emerson, more than anything in the world. I have to do this for her. I will do this for her.
There is a long pause where my father and I just stare at each other. He knows I’m not kidding that I will do this on my own if need be. After a few more moments his lips part and he says, “There is something else we can do, but it has to be a last resort. I want you to think about this very hard before you make a decision. This isn’t something you can take back after it’s done.” Fuck yes.
“I don’t have to think about it. My conscious will be lighter the minute we finish this. If there is a way to get rid of this guy, then we need to make it happen.”
I expect my father to be shocked by the statement, but if anything, it seems he expected me to say it.
“I know of someone who… let’s say is above the law, at least in this town. Someone who might be able to help us with your problem.”
“Tell me,” I order, the blood in my veins all but singing with joy.
“His name is Xander Rossi, and he is the head of the Rossi crime family. I’ve done some small work for him and he’s always said if I needed anything, I could come to him. I never had any use for his offer until now, but I’m sure it still stands.”