Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Thank you for saying that, I tell her. You’re right. Still, some version is better than nothing.
I wanted to ask you something else, she goes on. I’ve been thinking about it all day, especially since I learned your dad didn’t want to know who your mom cheated with.
Ask away.
Do you have to… you-know-what Russel?
The last time she said you-know-what, she was talking about me claiming her perfect body. My balls tingle and swell just thinking about it. Seed pumps up my shaft. Everything aches just imagining stripping her clothes off, and… Now, she’s not talking about that.
I don’t want you to go to prison, she follows up.
I’ll be careful, I reply.
There’s something else. This new life of ours is going to be so bright. I know we have to endure some darkness. Is there a way to put him in prison instead for a very long time?
Of course, there is, I tell her. We’ve got the contacts to make that happen. It wouldn’t even be difficult. He’s spent his life being a lowlife piece of filth. There are probably a hundred charges that would stick.
Do that, then, she texts. Let’s try to make our new life bright, meaningful, and full of passion and light. I don’t want you to do something you don’t HAVE to do.
He threatened you, I reply. He would’ve done far worse if you hadn’t asked me for help. I’m sorry, Scarlet, but this isn’t your choice.
…
Three dots appear and disappear several times. One of the downsides to texting is the fact you can type and retype a message. I want her raw, honest reaction, but maybe she’s just taking time to phrase her raw, honest reaction in the best way.
I understand, she texts. I know you’ll do what you think is best. I just wanted you to get my side of it.
Explain how the world would be better if we went with your plan.
I don’t care about THE world. I care about OUR world. Things like this eat away at people. I know you have to unleash the savage sometimes, but if there’s a way around it to preserve just a little humanity, that’s what I want.
Unleash the savage… That makes me think about what really unleashing the savage would be like. My thoughts don’t turn to murder when I read that phrase. I think about being with my woman instead, letting out the beastly hunger in me, the primal starvation.
I’ll think about it, I tell her.
When we’re together, will you still be doing things like this?
What? Working? Always.
No, I get that. I mean THIS specifically.
I understand. She doesn’t want to come outright and talk about killing.
No, I reply. Unless there are special circumstances like these, it’s highly unlikely I’ll be involved. The whole Family shouldn’t be involved in this, honestly. It’s only this stupid Shanks crap that’s drawn us in.
Okay, good, because I want my children to have a dad. I never had one, not really. That may be horrible to say so soon after what happened, but it’s true. Philip was never a father to me.
You don’t need to worry about that, I reply. I’m always going to be there for our children. I will support them, push them when needed, and always encourage the best out of them. I will be the best dad I can be, and I know you’ll be a perfect mother.
Really? Are you sure of that?
I lean forward, clenching my fist tightly around my phone. I’m certain. You’re kind, funny, interesting, and resilient. You’re all the things it takes to be a good mother.
Resilient? Your mom called me that earlier, too.
That’s because you are, I text. After everything you’ve been through, you can still smile, laugh, and sing, and you’ve done the impossible. You’ve turned grumpy Elio Marino into a sappy romantic.
You can be emotional and soft and still be tough when you need to be. Thank you for saying all that.
I said it because it’s the truth. You’re right, too. I’ll be romantic with you, but if our family needs it—our family, not THE Family—I’ll let out the darkness.
What are you doing now? she asks.
I’m waiting to see if Russel is holding out on the locations of any more copies of the video. I’m tempted to leave Luca and the men here and come and see you.
I’d love that, she texts quickly.
She’d love that. There’s that word again, but with my luck lately, my phone would explode if I tried to send her an I love you message.
Be careful what you wish for. If I come to you now, after learning you’re just as crazy as me, I won’t be able to hold myself back. I’ll have to claim your virgin body. I’ll have to own you. Every. Single. Inch.
I want that so badly, but what if I can’t?