Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
The older man takes a deep breath, almost like he’s rehearsed this. When he speaks, I feel sick right down to my core. “I never wanted to be part of this. They threatened my family and said they’d hurt them if I didn’t help. I was terrified for their safety. I knew it was wrong, and every time I thought about those kids, it made me sick. I’m deeply sorry for what I’ve done. I never meant to hurt anyone, especially children. I was only trying to keep my family safe. I made a terrible choice. I’m asking for your understanding, and I’m willing to face the consequences of my actions.”
I shake my head slowly. “What is it you think you’ve done?” I growl. “Because you sound like you’ve written an apology for leaving a job early or missing a payment on a goddamn credit card, motherfucker.”
Slamming my fist on the table, I lean down further, staring at the man as fire surges through me. Flames lick at me and tell me to hurt them, to kill them, and end any chance at a future they may have thought they had.
“I’m sorry,” the other man squeaks.
“You’re willing to face the consequences?” I snarl at the first man.
He doesn’t seem so sure now. Looking into his eyes, it’s clear Orlando spun him a web of bullshit. Maybe he tricked this idiot into thinking the DeLucas were defanged cowards.
I turn to Vito. “Beat their faces into bloody messes, but don’t kill them. Also, break two fingers on each of their hands. Then make sure they go to work tomorrow so all their colleagues see them. Even if their bosses send them home, people need to know.”
“Wait!” the big, red-faced man cries as Vito nods in a cold, matter-of-fact way. “I didn’t want any part of this! Please!”
“Enzo, with me.”
As I walk toward the door, the older man makes a mistake. He yells, “Scared to do your own dirty work, is that it?”
I spin back around, jump at him, and hit him in the face twice. His nose shatters on the first. On the second, there’s a loud click as his jaw dislocates.
Outside the office, my breath ragged and fast, I tell Enzo, “I want you with our cop connections. Make sure those kids get the best care. Do your best to find their families. Use any resources you need to.”
Enzo nods. “Sir.”
Once he’s gone, I wipe my hand on my jacket pocket and leave the sound-proofed area. Music begins to pump through me. Walking across the dance floor, people walk out of my way, sensing how ready I am for violence.
At the bar, I order a whiskey, throw it back, and let it burn down my throat.
CHAPTER TWELVE
BELLA
When Sofia and Matt arrive for her next lesson, I know I am right about Matt deciding to distance himself from me silently. He won’t even look at me when I open the door. Instead, he stares over my head, his jaw clenched, his temple pulsing like he’s infuriated by just being here.
Fine. Screw him. It’s not like there’s anything to ruin anyway.
“Shall we?” I ask, fixing a smile on my face.
“Uh, yeah,” Sofia says, clearly not sensing her brother’s mood. Or maybe he’s been like this the whole ride, and she’s just used to it. “I can’t wait!”
Heading into the bedroom, I remind myself to focus on the lesson. I feel so stupid for the dress I’m wearing, the low cut, the cleavage, showing my legs. I feel desperate and sad. I almost want to change into something that covers me more, but that would be too obvious.
I leave Bella in the bedroom as I take a quick bathroom break. After I’ve flushed the toilet, I should quickly return to her, but then I notice that the front door is slightly open. Maybe we forgot to close it? Or did Mr. Hudson come by and forget? He does that sometimes since he has a key. He might’ve run out of milk.
Just as I’m about to close it, I pause. Matt’s voice comes to me. He’s standing in the hallway. He sounds so, so different. His tone is dark and low and somehow violent. “Do I give a fuck?” he growls. “The answer’s no. If I have to, I’ll do it myself.”
I try to stop listening. If he or Sofia catches me snooping, it could be bad—a disaster. I need to be smart.
Instead, I lean further into the doorway to hear more clearly. It’s probably up there with the stupidest things I’ve ever done. It makes no sense for me to risk everything, but this side of Matt seems so different from his texts. He isn’t being poetic and insightful here. He sounds savage. Brutal.
“I’ll beat every single one of them to death with my bare fucking hands if I have to,” he growls. “I’ll take them out.”