Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Claudia.” She sounds very awake, almost wired. “I can’t talk long. Tommy’s still asleep and I just—” She takes a long, deep breath and blows it out. “I’ve been a bitch to you lately.”
I open my mouth to say no, it’s totally fine, don’t worry, but I swallow it back. “I get it. Things are tough.”
“Okay, cool, that’s a nice way of saying you’re annoyed, and I don’t even blame you. But please, listen to me, Claud, this is important. Tommy was talking to some guy on the phone last night and your name came up, and he was saying how he thinks you and Angelo Bianco are sleeping together. He sounded paranoid honestly, like really suspicious, and I’m worried that he’s going to try something.”
Fear prickles down my arms. “Did he say anything else?”
“Just that he doesn’t like how you’re spending time with Angelo. And how he thinks Angelo is his enemy or some crap. I don’t know, I only heard a little bit. But seriously, why don’t you take some time away from the club? At least until things settle down.”
I look back toward where Angelo’s drinking his coffee and watching me. “I don’t think I can do that.”
“Please, Claudia, this isn’t about that stupid crap with Kayla. I know I was being a real fucking cunt when I said that, and I’m sorry. I was high, okay? And I hate being high around you because you hate it and—” She blows out another frustrated breath. “Just stay home for a little while. That’s all.”
Then she hangs up. I stare at the phone for a few seconds, trying to process. “You good?” Angelo asks. He’s standing closer now, watching me.
“I’m fine.” I don’t look at him, still trying to put that conversation together in my head. Serena’s right, a part of me is wondering if that was about keeping me away, but she didn’t sound high. That’s giving me pause. She sounded clear, like herself, and she sounded scared. “Serena thinks Tommy’s onto us.”
Angelo’s shoulder tense. He cocks his head. “Tell me exactly what she said.” I give him the short version and his jaw flexes. “She’s right. You’re staying home.”
“Absolutely not,” I say and push past him when he comes toward me. I grab my coffee and down half of it, even though it’s still too hot. My hands curl into fists and I glare at him. “I’ve been handling myself just fine. I’m not about to walk away from Cage right now. You didn’t hear her, but she sounded scared.”
“She’s scared for you. Which means you should listen. Your sister’s a survivor.”
“My sister’s an addict.”
“And addicts have a sixth fucking sense for this sort of thing. If she says stay home, then you’re staying home.”
“No.” I stare him down, aware that I’m being irrational, but I don’t care.
The second I stop going to Cage is the second I lose Serena. That’s been my feeling from the start. Sure, I’ve taken nights off, but this isn’t going to be a break, I can feel it. This is the start of her pushing me away.
And I won’t let that happen, not for any reason.
“Tommy knows I’m coming for him.” Angelo speaks low and slowly like he’s making sure I take in every single syllable. “Roc and Vito were working with him when they stabbed me in the back. They were all in that shit together, and the second I started picking them off is the second they began talking again. I’d bet anything Roc’s in touch with Tommy, and the fuckers are making plans. And those plans might involve you.”
I look at the ceiling and squeeze my eyes closed. “If we hadn’t gotten involved, Tommy wouldn’t have been skeptical.”
“No, probably not,” he admits.
“Then this is your fault.” I stare, trying not to breathe hard, but I’m so mad. I can’t lose Serena over this, but if Tommy thinks I’m working with the guy that wants him dead, then I’m screwed. He won’t ever let me near my sister again. “I’m going in and I’m going to prove that we’re not together.”
He goes very still. I regret saying it the second it leaves my lips, but it’s the truth, we’re not together. We had sex, but that doesn’t mean we’re married, much less dating. Angelo’s not my boyfriend, and I don’t owe him anything.
“That’s a bad idea,” he says and his tone’s neutral now like he’s burying his feelings.
That hurts. I hate seeing him like this. But Serena’s my priority. “Maybe, but it’s how things have to be. I can’t let my sister down.”
“Yeah, I hear you.” He turns away and heads to the door. “I can’t stop you from making a bad decision, but if you were smart, you’d listen to Serena. You’d stay far away from Cage. At least until I’m finished with that place.”