Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 70661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
His eyes narrowed like I’d just offended him down to his core. His shoulders tightened, and the affectionate mood in the room was quickly wiped away and replaced by rage. When he tightened his jaw, I knew my suggestion wasn’t taken. “Never.”
The breath I was holding escaped my lips. “Why? Why would you risk your life for me?”
He held my gaze, his dark eyes matching the black liquid inside his mug. A full minute passed, and all he did was stare, his eyes shifting back and forth slightly because they were too intense to stay still. “The same reason you would risk yours for mine.”
He sat on the couch across from me, a cigar in between his lips. His large shoulders leaned against the back of the seat while the smoke drifted from his mouth. His eyes were tilted to the window behind his desk, and they reflected the autumn sunlight as his mind turned over his thoughts.
Since it might be his last day alive, I didn’t scold him for the cigar.
In fact, I lit up myself. “When is this happening?”
“Not sure.”
“So, this could happen anytime?”
His phone vibrated in his front pocket, and he fished it out. With his eyes on the screen, he said, “We’re about to find out.” He took the call and pressed it to his ear. “Chickened out?”
I was flabbergasted he could answer the phone so nonchalantly. A loaded gun would be pointed at his temple in just a few hours. With a simple squeeze, that bullet could be in his brain and his mind would be lost forever.
Kamikaze’s voice was audible because it was so loud and deep. “Nah. I’m looking forward to this. How about your barn?”
“Neutral turf.”
“Alright. How about Giovanni’s place?”
“That works for me.”
Was that a person? Or a restaurant?
“Let’s meet in an hour,” Kamikaze said. “Unless you’ve decided to chicken out.”
I wanted to grab the phone and offer to hand myself over, but it wouldn’t make a difference.
Maverick was just as calm now as he was before the phone rang. Relaxed on the couch with a thick cigar in his hand, he seemed like he could fall asleep because he was surrounded by peace. “I’m feeling pretty lucky today.”
Kamikaze chuckled. “That makes two of us, Maverick. And I want her there. The second you’re dead, I’m gonna bend her over the table and fuck her while you lie dead on the floor.”
16
Maverick
Was I scared?
No.
Was I lying?
No.
I had a plan set to get Arwen out of there if things went south. But if she didn’t escape, at least I wouldn’t be alive to witness the pain of her torment. I would cease to exist—which meant I wouldn’t suffer anymore.
In a twisted way, I looked forward to the game we were about to play. If I won, it would solve all my problems. Arwen could lead a full life without looking over her shoulder, and I would never have to deal with that giant again.
I was risking a lot—but I could also gain a lot.
She was shocked by the calm way I approached the dilemma, and her assumption was right. I wasn’t afraid to die—because I was tired of living. When my mother perished, so did my entire family. I felt like the last of my bloodline. My father had pulled me into a dark underworld I never should have been a part of. If he hadn’t, Mother would still be alive. Lily would be happy. My father would still be the same man.
Now, he was a stranger.
The only family I had left was my wife—but sometimes that wasn’t enough.
Before we left, I locked the door to my office and made the call. I already knew how the conversation would go, what I would say and what he would say in return. I could predict the entire exchange, down to the scoffs and laughs. But I called anyway…hoping I would be wrong.
He answered. “Didn’t expect to hear from you.”
So, he had no idea what was about to happen. “Kamikaze and I are about to play Russian roulette. The victor gets Arwen. Just thought you should know I might be dead in thirty minutes.” There was still a piece of my old soul inside me, the boy who looked up to his father. I was a grown man with a lot of accomplishments, but I still needed the validation from the man I’d admired. It was twisted.
He was quiet—which was expected.
I had expected more than just his silence. “If I die, this is on you.” He’d stabbed me in the back when he ratted me out to Kamikaze, which was disgusting, considering he’d made me marry her in the first place. I actually wanted to die so the guilt would fester inside him until it opened a wound in his stomach.
“You’re forgetting your other option.”
“Do you want me to take that option because you actually give a damn? Or just so you can get your revenge?”