Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“That’s an interesting reason,” Evander says, sounding amused.
“This is my way of making him leave for good. I gave him money for a plane ticket, some extra for expenses, and we made a deal. I do this, and he disappears. If he comes back, I kill him. Simple as that.”
“Interesting.” Evander touches his face with one palm. “And this way, you don’t have to look your mother in the eye and tell her that you let a man like me murder her dear loving husband.”
“That’s the general idea, yes.”
“Very interesting. But you know what this will mean, don’t you? You know how much he owes?”
“I’m aware, yes.”
Evan nods to himself and drums on the table with his fingers. “Very well then. I’d rather get paid than have to murder a man, and I suspect you will pay me long before your father ever does. I will accept this deal and you will take on your father’s debt. I will also be so kind as to give you some time to gather the funds, or at least to come up with a suitable way to begin repayment.”
“Thank you, Evander. That would be appreciated.”
“Three months should be enough,” he says and checks his watch. “Come back to me in three months, whether you have the cash or not, and we will negotiate from there. Does this work?”
“That works.” I push back and stand. “Thank you again.”
“And, War? Family is very important. You would never forgive yourself if you killed your dear old papa, yes?”
“You don’t know my dad,” I say and walk off as Evander laughs behind me.
Chapter 25
Melody
I’m alone in the office doing some end-of-the-week accounting when Ford knocks and pokes his head inside. “Hey, Melody. Got a second?”
I’m tired. I’m sore. I’ve been working myself raw because that’s easier than thinking about War and my family and the mess I left behind. All I want to do is finish up and go home, but I can’t exactly turn away the boss.
Besides, Ford never visits me when I’m in the office.
“Come on in,” I say.
Ford takes the chair across from my desk. The room is cramped and small but I keep it neat and orderly which helps. He leans back and gives me a charming smile, and I close the accounting book to give him my full attention. “How are you holding up?” he asks.
“Not bad, just getting back into the rhythm,” I say and try my best to give him a charming smile.
He nods to himself and runs a hand through his hair. It’s a nervous gesture and I’m suddenly on edge wondering what this is about.
“Don’t get mad at Kat,” he says suddenly. “Okay? But she told me a little bit about what happened with you and War.”
I groan and tilt my head back. “She shouldn’t have done that.”
“She didn’t go into detail, but I understand that things ended in a weird place, and I just—” Ford sighs and leans forward, putting his hands on my desk. “I did some digging.”
I deadpan at him. “Digging? Now? You couldn’t have done some digging before I got mixed up with him?”
“He’s my cousin,” Ford says defensively. “Well, sort of my cousin. We’re distantly related. But yeah, fine, you’re right, I should’ve looked into him some more from the start.”
“It’s fine,” I say and let out a long breath. “I just don’t want to talk about War, okay?”
“Right, totally, I understand. Stuff happened between you two and you’re still raw.” He sits there, staring at me, and I stifle a groan.
“But?” I prompt.
“But you might want to hear this.”
“I have a feeling you’re going to tell me whether I agree to listen or not.”
“Pretty much.” He grins sheepishly and keeps talking. “I was in this organization back in college. We called ourselves Atlas, and we had this grand plan. We pledged to keep in touch, to remain good friends, and together we’d grow and push past the barriers that hold most people back. We swore we’d reach the next level. The real game.”
“Okay,” I say slowly, eyebrows raised. “I’m gonna be honest, Ford, that sounds super weird and suspect, like science fiction villain sort of stuff.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “It’s not as nefarious as it sounds, but I told you that so you’d understand that I know people with connections. Important people.”
“Kat has mentioned some of your friends,” I say and lean back, crossing my arms over my chest. “Not by name, but I understand they exist.”
“Right, well, War’s name popped up the other day when I was meeting with some of those friends. Apparently, War is currently in heavy debt to Evander Kazan.”
I stare at Ford without reacting. “Oh, uh, who is Evander Kazan?”
“A very good friend of mine and the head of a very influential Greek mob family out of Chicago.”