Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 62404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62404 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Jake starts laughing. I glare at him, but Kyler doesn’t take his eyes off me.
“And you pick someone who is a known ally of the mafia. Do you know how that looks,” Kyler yells.
“I…”
“Mafia, Oriana. Do you understand what mafia is?” Kyler almost yells the last words.
“How would you know any of this?” I ask.
Kyler looks to Jake, who’s standing silently next to me.
“Everyone in this city knows who they are, who he is. Jake is in their back pocket. For God’s sake open your eyes, Oriana. He owns businesses with them.”
Jake grunts.
We both turn to him.
“I’m in no one’s back pocket. At least get your facts right.”
“Which part did I get wrong? Tell me? Tell her it’s the mafia…” Kyler smiles like he knows he has won something, “because you know you can’t deny it.”
“Well, your sweet wife here just dined with them,” he replies, then he addresses me, “How bad would you say they were?”
What does he mean? Oh, sugar, how could I have not known that?
“You had dinner with the mafia, Oriana? What on earth are you doing?” Kyler asks incredulously.
“Jake, we need to go.” I pull him away from Kyler and straight to the front door. Unlocking and opening it, I push him inside and shut the door behind us. Turning the lock, I spin to face him. “Did you just take me to a mafia house?” I screech.
“I took you to Keir and Sailor’s house, yes,” he says, smiling. “If I remember correctly, you enjoyed yourself.”
“I did, but why would you take me there?”
He shrugs. “I needed a date, and you seemed to be the right choice.”
“I think you should leave.” I pull my shirt tighter and my skirt down further, feeling somewhat awkward and uneasy.
“Why? Do I make you uncomfortable now?”
I start twirling my hair nervously and look at the door. “Please l-leave,” I say firmly, though my voice cracks.
Jake nods and, without another word, walks out, closing the door behind him. I follow and lock it. Going to my room, I shut that door and fall onto my bed.
What have I gotten myself into?
Chapter 21
Time for you to leave
Jake
“Your little girlfriend is here,” Captain says as he knocks on the door.
I turn to look at the screens and see Oriana, dressed in jeans and jacket, walking down the stairs and heads straight to the bar.
“And she’s asking for you.”
Oriana has been a ghost for the last few weeks, and I have been too busy to chase her.
“Tell her to leave,” I say.
He raises a brow. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Now, get her the fuck out of here.”
Captain nods and walks off. I watch on the screen as he goes up to her at the bar and says something. She shakes her head and looks up at the camera, and then she flips me the finger.
I can’t help but laugh.
She’s angry.
Really furious.
My innocent girl gave me the finger.
I want to stab myself for calling her my girl.
Captain leaves her at the bar, and I see him heading back this way. He knocks and then opens the door. “She told me to tell you to stop watching her and get out there and talk to her like a real man.” He pauses, then adds, “I like her,” before he ducks off.
I remain where I am, watching her on the screen. The bartender gives her a glass of water, and she thanks him as she looks to the door, then back at the camera. She sits there staring—at me—as I contemplate if I should go out there or not.
Decision made, I head out to the main area.
As soon as the door opens, her laughter fills my ears before it’s cut short when her eyes find mine. As I approach, the bartender moves to the other end of the counter while I pull the stool out next to her and sit.
“No one is allowed in here unless they are wearing a wristband.” I look at her wrists and don’t see one.
“The girl at the door tried to give me one, but I ignored her.” She shrugs. “You don’t call? Text?” she asks.
“Why would I do either? We were only fucking. I had no use for you this week. And you told me to leave the last time I saw you, so I figured we were done.”
Her hand lifts and touches a lock of her red hair. “You took me to…” she leans in to whisper the rest, “a mafia house.” She pulls back, her eyes wide, expecting me to react.
“I can take you to a lot worse than that,” I tell her.
Captain comes up behind us, taps my shoulder to get my attention, then I turn back to her. “You shouldn’t have come tonight. I have meetings.” I stand from the stool when I see my brother walk into the club. We are the same height but differ in every other way. He is dressed as if he works in a morgue, whereas I am dressed for business. He smiles when he sees me—