Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
“I understand. You can do that. And I will make sure you are safe. Nothing will happen. I promise.” I will see that no one is hurt in my parade of getting back at Nico. It would destroy me if something like that ever happened.
The rest of the ride is silent, and I can't help but notice her repeatedly checking her mirrors to ensure there is no one following behind us. Moments later, we pull up to the sidewalk outside a building. “One block up”—she nods north—“is the clothing boutique, CC Chic. They are very nice there and can help you. Just be careful, and good luck, Mrs. Valiente.”
I climb out and shut the door. Rushing forward, I tap on her window with my knuckles, and as she lowers it, I hurry to tell her,“You’re safe. I promise. And thank you. I appreciate you, Lenny. Please, do not worry about my husband.”
She nods, and I see a little bit of the anxiety leave her face. I tap the roof of the cab, and she leaves. Waiting a moment, I assess all the cars that pass and make sure she is, in fact, not being followed. When I’m sure she isn’t, I head in the direction she advised until I find the clothing store, and when I step inside, I’m cheerfully greeted.
“Hey, friend! Welcome! I’m Shayla. What can I help you with?”
Finally able to focus on my end goal, I look at her and release a deep breath.Her green eyes sparkle, and they contrast beautifully with her burgundy hair. “You ever heard of the revenge dress?”
She smiles and nods, knowing exactly what I mean.“Boy do I ever. We have a lot of clients who have come in searching for that type of look. Let's make him feel really, really stupid for whatever he did.” She winks and takes my hand.
This is going to be so good.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
NICO
“We jumped thirteen percent in sales this month, which is quite an improvement, given the shit show that happened these past couple of weeks.” I pause and look over the numbers on my paper in front of me. “But—” I look up to the same men who sat at this table last night and took my threats. “—do not let that make you believe you can slack on what needs to be done. We are still looking for anyone who may have been working with Levetti.”
The door opens, and Giulio enters.
“Sir,” he inserts, “I need to speak to you in private.”
Knowing my underboss would never interrupt a meeting for anything other than an emergency, I close the folder in my hand and drop it on the table. “Get back to work. We will meet tomorrow,” I tell the other men in the room, and they all stand and follow behind me, going the opposite direction as Giulio and me when we leave the conference room.
We head upstairs to my office that overlooks the club, and the second they’re all out of earshot, I ask, “What’s going on?”
“It’s Mrs. Valiente, sir. She’s seemed to have run off.”
I halt and turn toward him.“Excuse me?” My teeth grind as my jaw clenches.
“Yes. She escaped both guards.”
I turn once again and continue to my office, my anger growing stronger with each step.“Tell me, how does my wife just get away, Giulio?”
“I’m not sure. I asked Farren to brief us both.”
“Is he in my fucking office?” I yell in his face.
“Yes, he couldn’t find her, and he didn’t want to tell us over the phone.”
I scoff.“He isn’t going to win fucking brownie points for coming to me in person. He let her out of his sight! What does her tracker say? We should be able to find her with that. Did he forget how to do his job?” I growl, and finally, we make it to my office. When I throw open the door, Farren jumps and starts backing away as I gain on him.
“That’s part of the problem. They found it… in your closet. She took it out,” Giulio tells me, and my head nearly pops off.
That crazy fucking bitch.
“Sir. I’m sorry. She slipped out.”
My hands are on Farren’s neck the moment he finishes that sentence, and I push him hard against the glass wall that overlooks my club.
“You are a trained fucking assassin, and my little five-foot five wife got the better of you?” I mock him.
This is a joke, right? How do these men keep fucking up like they don’t know their heads from their asses?
“Sir, she had a plan, and I made a mistake.”
Tilting my head, I look him deep in the eye, that feeling of needing to hurt and drain breath out of someone creeping in. The part where humanity leaves me and my dark side completely captivates me.
“I think we need stronger men, wouldn’t you agree, Giulio?” My eyes never waver from Farren’s. No, they continue assessing as I breathe in the fear exuding from him.