Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
A slow and mischievous grin spreads across his face. Alberto Rossi doesn’t look anything like Luca’s father. He may be the leader of the second largest organized crime operation in Las Vegas, but he doesn’t have the large belly and sweat-covered forehead. He keeps himself in shape. He has been feuding with the Bianchis for years, and somehow, he knows my real mother? This has to be a trick.
It’s a lie, a trap to get me here, and I fell for it.
“That is correct. You do know your mother.” He tilts his head to the side, and his dark eyes run up and down my body. It makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. “You look just like her.”
I blink. My legs want to turn and run, but my mind is not letting me leave. It’s as if I’m paralyzed where I stand. I’ve always wondered where she was and why she gave me up. If I looked like her, or if my voice sounded like hers. It was a thought that always sat in the back on my mind.
He stands from his chair and walks around his desk. My heart picks up as he nears me. But still, I can’t seem to find the will to leave. Instead, I wait, frozen in my spot, needing him to speak. To tell me everything he knows.
Reaching out, he pushes some brown strands behind my right ear, and I take in a shaky breath. “She’s lied to you all these years.” He sighs. “I wanted to tell you. I thought you deserved to know. And now …” He trails off as his jaw sets in a hard line. “It’s time,” he snaps, making me jump.
“For what?” I manage to get out.
“That you know everything.” He gives me a soft smile. “And don’t worry. We’ll take them down. They won’t even see us coming.”
LUCA
I sit in the office of Glass behind my desk while Bones sits across from me. He’s counting out the cash Marco delivered first thing this morning. It’s funny how much money a man can find when broken bones are involved. The door to the office swings open, hitting the interior wall. Bones has already pulled out his gun from the holster on his hip as I reach for mine under the desk when we see Haven burst into the room.
“What are you doing here?” I demand, jumping from my chair. I haven’t told her anything about this club, so how did she find me? Did she follow me this morning? Has she been following me?
Her wide eyes go from mine to Bones. He stays seated in his chair, but his brows are raised. He still holds his gun, but now it rests on his thigh.
She swallows nervously as the door shuts behind her. Her once olive skin tone is now white. It looks like she’s seen a ghost. I take a step toward her, rounding the desk. “Haven …”
“I didn’t know what to say.” She stumbles backward. Her back hitting the closed door. “I … He …”
“What?” I ask. “Who is he?”
She places her hand on her chest, and tears build in her brown eyes. “He wants you dead.”
I stiffen.
Her eyes move to Bones. “All of you.”
That brings him to his feet. “Who the fuck are you talking about?”
“Alberto Rossi.”
I fist my hands, and Bones’s brows pull together. “Although this isn’t news, I would like to know who told you this?” he demands.
“He did.”
“What?” I snap, making her jump.
She bows her head and sniffs, wrapping her arms around herself. “He told me who my mother is.”
I run a hand through my hair. What the fuck is she talking about?
“When did you see him?” Bones asks. He looks at me. “Was he at your house?”
I shake my head. Is he serious? “I haven’t seen him in years.” He rarely comes to Vegas. Just like my father, they run their operations from long distances. My father lives in New York and very rarely visits Vegas. Their crew does their dirty work.
“He called me last night from a blocked number. Told me he would cause a diversion this morning so I could talk to him. A car would be waiting. I didn’t know …”
What in the fuck? “You didn’t fucking go, did you?” I bark out.
She nods quickly. “I didn’t know it was him until I arrived at a wedding chapel.” She hiccups. “He told me he knew my real mother …” She trails off.
“And?” Bones coaxes her. “Who is she?”
Wedding chapel? Motherfucker! He knows I was there the other night. Getting her to go to him willingly? He’s sending me a warning.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
“My mother.”
“What are you talking about?” I demand. I’m pissed at her and confused as fuck. How did he get her number? Why did he reach out to her at all? It must be because of me. And how stupid could she be to fall for it? I never wanted to make her a prisoner in our home, but maybe that is what it’s going to come down to in order to keep her alive.