Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 125465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125465 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 627(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
“Don’t be sad. If you start crying, it’ll ruin your makeup, and then I’ll have to kick your ass,” Tessa harasses from the doorway.
I whirl around and force my lips into a small smile. “Watch out, big bad Tessa’s on the loose.”
Her expression becomes coy. “Have you seen the guns I’m carrying?”
She points at her biceps, and I can’t help but laugh at her joke. Little does she know, every family member is armed in some way, or at least there is a weapon within reach.
In many ways, I long to be like Tessa—smart, funny, and creative. She’s innocent and kind, and unbeknownst to her, she’s also a part of one of the most sinister mafia families on the West Coast.
Uncle Ivan and Aunt Violet feel it is right to keep her hidden from the family business for as long as possible. I can’t blame them for it, but then again, the day she finds out, I can only imagine her feeling complete betrayal at their deceit. I should have already told her the truth, but I can’t bring myself to do it.
I know it’s only a matter of time, but if she’s not asking questions, there isn’t a reason to explain things to her.
Worst of all, because she knows nothing about our world, she has no idea that Ren betrayed the entire family, and that betrayal has caused a huge rift between all of us. Maybe she feels it and hasn’t said anything, or maybe she doesn’t even care. I’m not sure, but she’s one less person I can talk to about things, and that sucks.
I try not to think of Ren as I let Tessa guide me out into the grand foyer. She’s wearing a gold dress with her dark hair tied up in a high ponytail. The smile of confidence she wears is contagious.
I look from her to my family, my father, standing beside my mother, his dark hair graying. Worry lines crease his forehead though he disguises them with a smile. My mother peers up at me with adoration, her blond hair intricately done, her blue eyes sparkling. Even when she’s dressed up, the red chiffon dress clinging to her body, it’s impossible to tell she is over the age of forty.
My brother, Quinton, is next in the line, followed by his wife, Aspen. Both of them give me dazzling smiles, though my brother’s smile never reaches his eyes. He can’t hide his betrayal and hurt from me. Not when it matches my own.
As my gaze moves down the line, the muscle in my chest seizes, and I forget to breathe.
He should be standing there, his devilish smirk in place and his icy gaze drinking me in, promising me bad things. He should be here, and he isn’t.
With a shake of my head, I let the anger threatening to take hold of me evaporate into thin air. He’s gone, and he’s never coming back. I need to face that reality even if every single fiber of me refuses to believe it.
Next are Uncle Ivan and Aunt Violet, followed by Uncle Damon and Aunt Keira. They give me the same smile as everyone else. “Smile. It’s your birthday, after all,” Tessa whispers as she releases me. How can I smile when my life feels like it’s crumbling in my hands?
“You look beautiful.” My father dotes, and I wrap my arms around him. There is nothing like the hugs he gives.
“Your father is right; you’re turning into a beautiful young woman,” my mother adds, and I pull back and look at her, noticing the tears filling her eyes. Who knew Ella Rossi could be so emotional and sensitive being married to Xander Rossi.
I can only hope to have a love like my parents someday.
“No matter what birthday I’m celebrating, I can always return home to see my mother.” I smile, trying to soothe the void at the loss of her children growing up and moving on with their lives will bring.
“Get over here and give your favorite uncle a hug,” Uncle Damon interrupts, and I turn to find him giving me a playful smile.
Dark hair and eyes that mirror my father’s. I swear, sometimes they could be twins. Aunt Keira gives me a hug as well.
Uncle Ivan opens his huge arms to me. He’s the size of a bear, big and tall, his muscles bunching beneath his dress shirt.
“It’s okay. I know you had to lie to Uncle Damon about him being your favorite uncle.” He’s grinning from ear to ear, and I step into his warm embrace. He gives the best hugs.
“Hey, now, don’t be talking shit about me,” Uncle Damon chastises.
All I can do is shake my head. This family’s dynamic could never be duplicated. Ivan releases me, and immediately Violet wraps me up in her arms. She smells like lavender and sunshine. I suck a calming breath of her scent into my lungs, letting it stabilize me.