Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“I have the blueprints of the mansion, the grounds, and the outbuildings. There are a number of places where we can gain entry.” Gio sets the blueprints on the table, and as we pour over it, I take a step back and let my men take charge.
They’ve each got a role in the clan. They have specific talents. That’s why they’ve been chosen. And they’re all ruthless killers. Some of them with the bare hands, and some with weapons of choice. But we’re all out for blood. It’s how we’ve made it in, and it will be how we leave.
Our payment is done by the amount of bodies we pile up, not innocent bystanders, but scum like the Russos. All the men in this room know what he did. They knew my father. I grew up around most of them. So when I look around, it’s not strangers getting together to avenge their friend, it’s family.
“You okay, Franco?”
I turn to regard my younger brother and nod. “Yes, I’ll be even better when we get our girls back.” When I cast a longer glance at Matteo, I see the emotion in his eyes. He really does care for her. “You know, Adri is a beautiful girl.”
He nods but doesn’t respond.
“She’s probably thinking about you, waiting for you to save her.” I’m taunting him, but it’s all in good fun, and when he turns to face me, there’s a small smirk hidden behind his suave exterior.
“Don’t pussyfoot around. Just say what you want to say, brother,” he retorts.
“I know you want the girl. Don’t hold back. You never know when it will be your last chance to tell her how you feel.” We stare at each other for a long while and he nods. He knows I’m right. In our life, in the lifestyle we follow, tomorrow is never promised. And I know that’s true for most people, but with threats that come from left, right, and center, we never know when our last breath will be.
“Take your own advice, old man.” He pats me on the shoulder, and the playfulness I know my little brother to have is there, hidden underneath the tension of the situation we’re in.
18
Raina
“Why are you doing this? Where is he?”
The man who took me, the man who killed Franco’s father, bores his gaze into me and it’s as if he’s choking me.
“You’re a pretty girl. I can see why Franco keeps you around. Is your cunt as sweet as your pretty blue eyes?” He smirks. “I’m not a bad man, carina.” He stalks around me. His gaze trails from my face to my feet. I’m bound to the seat with my feet tied with thick ropes to the legs of the chair. He stops before me, leaning in with his hands on either armrest. “You see, bella, men like us… we prefer, decadence. And it seems Franco and I have the same taste.”
Anger heats my blood. I’m not scared of him anymore. I want to spit in his face, but I don’t want to force him to do something stupid. They’ve not hurt us and if I can buy some time, I know that Franco won’t let me die. He will save us. I just don’t know how.
“I’d like to taste what Franco finds so alluring about you.” He rises, snaps his fingers, and two men enter the room. They untie me and lift me by my upper arms. Both have a tight grip and there’s no chance I can even get away, should I want to try. “Take her to my suite. Make sure she’s”—he smirks as he regards me—“comfortable.” With that, I’m dragged out of the room and down a long hallway.
I don’t know where Adria and Calista are. I haven’t seen them since we arrived and got separated. Glancing around, I take in the hallway. The artwork on the walls reminds me of a museum. It’s dimly lit, but the opulence gives away the wealth that lies within these walls.
My two captors stalk toward a set of double doors. And as much as I’d like to try to fight them, I know it will be pointless. They’re both easily six feet tall and built like brick walls. There’s no way I can do anything to them that they’ll even notice.
They drag me into a suite that could possibly fit into the apartment I share with my cousin. Once I’m bound to yet another chair, they leave and I’m left to my thoughts. Memories of Franco, of what we’ve done, how he’s made me feel, all of it hits me and I’m left breathless. Sadness envelops me. It cocoons me in the surety that I’m alone here. Even though I know Cali and Adi are somewhere in this mansion, without the man who’s stolen my heart, I am alone.