Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Olivia raises her chin. “Our brothers are on their way. I texted them.” Her voice trembles despite her bravado.
I simply stare at her, at the way her tongue darts out to wet her pink lips. Fuck, she’s beautiful. A goddamn stunner. “Dad said you were pretty like your mother. Must be true.”
“Y-you need to leave. Now.” She puts a hand on her hips, having the fucking nerve to look indignant.
That breaks the spell, and I remember what she is. My enemy. Nothing more.
Reaching behind me, I pull out my pistol. “Let’s go, princess.”
Olivia’s mouth drops open. “Go?”
I take her arm and yank her to me. “You heard me.” A sweet scent wafts over me, her perfume or shampoo. Floral and citrus, all warmth and sugar. “Walk.” I turn her so she marches in front of me, but she stops.
Gina reaches for me. “Please don’t take–”
I raise my gun, pointing it at the nearest shower guest. “I didn’t want to do this the hard way, but–”
“No!” Olivia starts walking again. “I’m going. Don’t hurt anyone. They’re innocent.”
I scoff at the thought of these high society bitches being innocent in the slightest.
“Olivia!” Gina cries, but she doesn’t follow, not when I point my gun at each guest in succession as I go.
“It’s okay,” Olivia tells her.
“No.” Gina gasps, a sob in her throat. “Please don’t take her. Please.”
I grip Olivia more tightly when she gets to the French doors. She won’t be running, not when I have her right where I want her.
“Everything will be okay,” Olivia says as I push her through the doors. “I promise. Gina, it’s okay. I’ll be okay!”
A dark laugh rolls from me at her words. I press my lips to her ear, yanking her against me when she tries to shy away. “Guess what? You’re a liar, princess.”
2
OLIVIA
His warm breath tickles my ear as he tries to stoke my fear. He doesn’t have to. I know who he is. What he is capable of. In fact, I'm pretty sure most people in this city are familiar with Sergei Taletti. Seeing him up close and personal gives me insight into why. Darkness and anger linger all around him. I can feel it like it’s a living thing.
“I know,” I respond, agreeing that I’m a liar, focusing on keeping one foot in front of the other.
I want to get out of here before my brothers arrive and try to stop Sergei. They’ll just make things more dangerous, especially with the state my sister is in. She was supposed to be taking it easy. Her blood pressure has been all over the place. We’ve been worried she would be put on bed rest soon. Today was going to be light and fun. Now I’m praying she doesn’t go into labor with this turn of events.
I’m not new to this. My family has been playing a dangerous game for a long time. But it’s been years since things like this have touched any of us. It seems that whatever truce the Talettis had with my family is over. I knew it was only a matter of time.
The Talettis will have to be dealt with at some point. There’s growing pressure. I keep my nose out of most things, but the Talettis don’t play by any rules. They make up their own and think the rest of us should fall in line.
My brothers would never kidnap a girl to do God knows what with. I fight a chill that wants to run down my spine. I’m not going to think about what might happen right now. First, I need to get out of here without anyone else getting hurt. I don’t need my brothers rolling up and a gun battle breaking out in the middle of a country club.
“Keep moving.” Sergei’s deep voice draws my attention back to him as we approach the front door.
I would say I’m surprised that no one tries to stop him, but I’m not in the least. I’m sure most of the men here would piss themselves if he so much as glanced their way. In fact, I should probably be more scared than I currently am.
Right now, my only fear is someone else getting hurt. That’s the difference between the Talettis and my family. We have integrity, and I know because of that my father has lost some of the control and power he once had. My dad wouldn’t play this dirty. Then again, no one has ever kidnapped one of his children. I’m really not sure what his reaction will be. It’s going to destroy my mom.
It’s clear the Talettis are making a point today. I guess I’m going to be the sacrificial lamb. Honestly, it makes the most sense for it to be me. My dad will need my brothers now more than ever. My sister is about to bring life into this world.