Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 16236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 81(@200wpm)___ 65(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 81(@200wpm)___ 65(@250wpm)___ 54(@300wpm)
“I’ll do whatever is necessary to keep Elio safe, sir,” Tony said.
“You’re right. You’ll do anything I tell you to do,” Lucien said. “And I have many ideas for your future, but for now the matter is settled. I have purchased Elio’s freedom. He belongs to us.”
“Purchased?” I couldn’t stop the word from exploding out of my mouth. How dare he? Lucien turned to Tony.
“Learn to rein him in. I don’t need another liability on my payroll.”
“Yes, sir,” Tony answered.
“You’re very expensive, but you’re going to make me a hell of a lot of money to make up for it. I’m turning you over to Uncle Dom. He and his men will teach you how to take money from a number of unfortunates who’ve gotten themselves in trouble by borrowing from us.”
Tony stared at Lucien. “Dominic Marchesi? I…I thought he was a myth.”
Lucien laughed, the sound echoing eerily. “Most people wish he was, but he’s very real, and you will follow his every order, or this situation”—he gestured toward me—“won’t be allowed to continue.”
Tony reached back and took my hand. “Elio is under my protection.”
“Not if I say otherwise. I could make millions by selling your boyfriend. Earn your keep, or we’ll see about an auction. Don’t make me regret my choices.”
He was bluffing. He had to be. “You said I was on your payroll too.” Apparently I couldn’t keep my mouth shut for long.
“Your job is to make sure Tony doesn’t screw up. He’s a hothead with no discipline. That’s not how I run things. Make sure he learns how to walk the straight and narrow, and if Dom has need of your other services, he’ll give you orders as well. I hear you’re rather good at finding out people’s secrets.”
I smiled. “I am happy to pay my way, sir.”
“Watch it.” Lucien turned and left. Vinnie followed him, but the other man stayed.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I thought he was going kill you.”
“So did I.”
“Were you there when he talked to my father?” Elio asked.
“Yes, it was fucking impressive.”
“This is my cousin, Micky,” Tony said. “He’s the one who got me this job.”
Micky scowled at him. “Don’t go blaming me for anything,”
“I can’t believe Lucien paid for me. Why?”
“Because Vinnie told him the two of you were in love. Not many things will make Lucien bend, but that is one of them.” I realized then that as badass as Lucien was, he wouldn’t really sell me. I also realized Tony had to have told Vinnie he loved me even before he’d told me. He really was ready to do whatever it took to protect me.
“I’ve got to go,” Micky said. “I promised Vinnie I’d take care of something. If I don’t, I’ll have to listen to him yelling all night. Good luck with Dominic.”
Tony snorted. “I’m going to fucking need it.”
When Tony had closed the door behind Micky, I sank onto the couch. “I can’t believe my father sold me to his enemy. I mean, I shouldn’t expect anymore from him, but….”
“You don’t need him. He’s never cared for you, I do. My family might be scary—and crazy—but they take care of each other.”
“Tom told me that.”
“It’s true. You’re one of us now.”
“Because Lucien paid for me. That’s….”
“He paid for your freedom. He doesn’t own you.”
“Would he see it that way?”
“Yes.”
“Call him.”
“What?”
“I want to talk to him.”
“Elio, that’s crazy.” Even as he said the words, he pulled out his phone and sent a message. He watched the screen, and a moment later he made a call and held the phone out to me.
When Lucien answered, he said, “I did not expect to hear from you so soon. What trouble are you causing now?”
“It’s Elio. I have a question.”
Lucien remained silent.
“Do you really believe you own me?”
“I don’t believe in slavery. You make your own choices, but you owe me a debt.”
“Yes, sir. Have a good night.”
“I have a feeling you’re going to be as much trouble as Tony,” Lucien said.
“I never said my father didn’t have a reason to hate me.”
“Fucking hell. Two hot-blooded sons of bitches to deal with. You better not make me regret letting you live.” He ended the call.
“Satisfied?” Tony asked.
“Yes. Now tell me about Uncle Dom.”
Tony sighed. “Dominic Marchesi is a legendary mob assassin. He’s supposedly the youngest of Franco Marchesi’s siblings, making him only ten or so years older than Lucien. Some people say he was raised in Italy and never seen here until he was an adult. Other say he was illegitimate and that’s why no one ever met him. Others think he never existed except in name, and his kills were made by a number of different men. I’ve heard rumors that he’s dead or that he’s gone into hiding. Apparently, he’s alive and well and still working for the family. As far as I knew, a few of Lucien’s cousins ran the loan shark operations, but I guess they are his sons.”