Total pages in book: 148
Estimated words: 142939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
“Yeah.” I slip my phone under my pillow, getting up from my bed. I can only hide out for so long. It’s already afternoon, and I’m starving. “I need to talk to my brother.”
“He’s in his office with the boys.” Angelica steps back, opening my door more.
“Boys.” Bianca giggles.
Yeah, thinking of Antonio or the Butcher as boys is laughable. As for Gilly, I don’t know what I think he is anymore. I swear for a moment I saw need in his eyes for me, but I’m sure it was just a normal male reaction. Probably went out and had someone else handle it for him while I had to lay in bed and ache alone.
I can’t stay here. Those are the kinds of thoughts that will start to eat me alive. I’ll become bitter. Watching Angelica and Bianca be so madly in love only makes that bitterness grow, and I refuse to let them know that because they’d have guilt, and it’s not a guilt they need to carry. They’ve been through enough in their lives. They don’t need me to add to it.
It’s strange how I was protected more from things while they had to often stare evil in the eyes, but they turned out one way and I another. Why am I harder? My brother would tell me it’s the Palermo blood in my veins. But that can’t be true. He crumpled like a cheap chair when it came to Angelica. So I think we can throw that theory out the window.
“Something is off with you,” Angelica says as we make our way down the hallway toward the stairs.
“You missed breakfast,” Bianca points out. As though that alone was the giveaway that something was up with me.
“It’s more than that.” Angelica grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze. We grew close when she first married my brother. I was a tad jealous when Bianca showed up, but she too treated me as if I was her sister. I adore and love them both, but I think change is needed. A new chapter has to start for me.
We descend the stairs together. I go straight for my brother's door that is cracked open, which means it’s all clear to enter. I still give a double knock before I push it open. My brother sits at his desk while Butcher stands with his arms folded over his chest. Gilly has his hands placed on Antonio’s desk, leaning down. The two of them look to be in a serious conversation.
Gilly stands while the other two's attention swings to their women behind me. “Everything okay?” my brother asks me. Gilly doesn’t even glance my way.
“No,” I respond.
“No?” my brother repeats.
Gilly tries to remain relaxed, but I can sense his tension. Does he think I’m going to tattle on him for spanking me? Not in a million years. He can grow a set and tell my brother if he wants him to know, but that’s the problem, isn't it? He doesn’t want him or anyone else to know.
“I want to leave. To move away from home.” Both the sisters let out a small gasp from behind me. “It’s time. I need to leave the country for college.” That would be the safest bet and keep me off the radar. Then another sentence springs to my lips, likely whispered from the devil on my shoulder. “Or consider marriage.”
“Marriage?” both my brother and Gilly shout.
“Not an arranged one, but I’m sure there are potential suitors out there. I suppose I’m asking to be courted. Will you at least think about it?” I give my biggest smile before I turn and leave my brother's office. This time it’s me that gets to turn my back on Gilly.
I hope it burns. If he even cares.
7
GILLY
She’s being a brat. A huge fucking brat. My heartbeat booms in my ears, my gaze locked on the door she just flounced out of.
There’s no way she’s interested in being courted. She’s always wanted to go to college, not get trapped in some political marriage.
“What’s gotten into her?” Antonio sinks into his chair and rubs his temples. “She’s being even more nuts than usual.”
Butcher grunts. “Women.”
“She’s just trying to start something.” I crack my knuckles. It seems her spanking wasn’t enough. She needs more discipline. Good thing I’m here. I’ll get her back into line.
“She’s never wanted to get married. I don’t even know where to start. Suitors? I guess I could put out some feelers. There are plenty of men who’d–”
“Are you serious?” I whirl on him. I thought I was pissed before, but just the thought of Antonio entertaining her request is enough to make my blood turn volcanic.
He sighs and leans back. “She said she wants suitors.” An evil glint lights in his eyes. “So I’m going to give her what she wants. Plenty of men who want to marry into the Palermo family.”