Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 87961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
I press my index finger against my bottom lip, trying to cover a smirk. “No, not a problem.” I lean toward her, one side of my mouth lifting into a partial grin. “Earning fuck-loads of money is exactly why I do what I do.”
“Except I choose to earn it by saving lives, whereas you choose to obtain it by threatening them,” she says, her face utterly expressionless.
I shrug. “To each their own. Don’t judge, doll.” She glares at me, but the effect is completely lost. She manages to make a scowl look fucking angelic. If she’s working for Joe then I give it to him, she’s the perfect Trojan horse—she’s attractive, intelligent, and that smart-ass mouth of hers makes me really want to fuck her.
“How do you and Euan know each other?” she asks, changing the subject. “I mean, obviously he placed a bet with you, but you must know him.”
“Honey, I have never met your fucking boyfriend. I don’t meet people who deal with me.” I watch her carefully, looking for any subtle changes in her demeanor. The slight dilation of her pupil, a hitch in her breathing. “You are one of the few people who have seen my face and can tie me to any of the guys that do my dirty work for me.” I narrow my gaze. “Which I’m sure you can see poses a bit of a concern?”
For a second, my pulse quickens, because maybe I shouldn’t have admitted that to her; but then again, she’s not going anywhere any time soon. If she’s a threat...well, I’ll deal with that when I’ve figured it out. For now, I have to worry about how the hell I am going to figure that out.
She frowns. “But why would you take a twenty-grand bet off a guy you don’t even know?”
“That’s just the way this industry works. Most people aren’t dumb enough to fuck around and make bad bets. This isn’t the fucking lottery. Gambling the way I do is illegal, and the only way to enforce the rules of an illegal business is through brutality.” I force a sick smile to twist its way over my face. “Murder. People tend to take that very seriously.”
“You say it’s business, but why would you run a business like that?” she asks. “Always living on the edge. That must wear you down.” She’s watching me carefully, her expression curious. If she’s with Joe, she already knows all this.
“It’s a family thing. My grandfather did it, my father did it, and now it’s in my hands.”
“Didn’t they want something better for you?” There’s no implication in her tone, she’s just asking.
“I wanted something better.” I eye her. I know this next little bit will fucking floor her. “I finished a doctorate in biostatistics…but my father died, and what was I to do? I have to do my father right. Plus, it does make an ungodly amount of money.”
I catch a flash of pity in her eyes. “Money isn’t everything, Jude,” she replies. I’m tempted to order that she stop using my name. It makes me feel...something that I don’t like. I wonder what it must be like to possess her kind of innocence. I’m hardened by the violence that surrounds me, and to me, it’s not just about the money, but she would never understand that. Power is a fucking bitch, and it is addictive. This job gives me power. That’s the one thing she has obviously figured out about me, that I like power.
“How long have you been with your knight in shining armor?” I smirk.
“A year or so.”
“Must have an outstanding family.”
“His dad is the Chief of Surgery at Vanderbilt. Let’s just say that Euan’s life has been handed to him on a gilded platter.” There’s a bitter edge to her tone. “Imagine my surprise when I found out he’s gambling daddy’s money away.”
“You close with them?
She frowns. “Euan’s family?”
I nod.
“He would go to his parents every Sunday religiously. Sometimes I would go with him. I guess they’re okay. A bit pretentious for my liking.”
“Hmm. He from a big family?”
Her brow wrinkles. I’m sure she’s wondering why the hell I care about that. “Not really. Why?”
“You ever meet any of his family?” I arch a brow. “An uncle, perhaps?”
“Uh, I met one of his uncles once.”
“What was his name?”
She shakes her head as a frown masks her expression.
“What was his name?” I demand.
“Um, Joe. I think. I don’t know. I didn’t really speak to him. He kind of just ignored me and spoke to Euan the whole time. Apparently they’re close.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “Why are you asking me this? Is the whole family in on this shit?”
“That’s none of your concern,” I snap, trying to keep my jaw from twitching. She drops her gaze to her lap again. Damn it. I raise my voice one time, and she withdraws. I need to keep a lid on my temper.