Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“You’re fucking stalking him?”
“Maybe.”
“Vito, what are you thinking? The last thing we need is a fucking family scandal. We get away with a hell of a lot, but that could come crashing down if we start being stupid. This arrest puts you on the cops’ radar again for no fucking reason other than you’re playing games with a man and letting yourself lose control.”
“I’ve been good for ages. I’ve kept my anger in. I’ve done every fucking thing the family has asked of me.”
“Behaving like a sane person isn’t supposed to be something with a time limit. Not losing it and punching cops should be something you always do, just like going after willing men and women, and not stalking an NHL player. You’re going to get in serious trouble.”
“It’s just a game. I’m not doing anything seriously wrong.”
“Vito, I just had to come get you out of jail and burn a favor to get the charges dropped. That’s not fucking nothing. Do you really think being a stalker is a game?”
Did I? “Relax. I’m not going to hurt him.”
“Ask him out or walk away.”
“Like you did with Liam?”
Val snarled. “Don’t bring Liam into this.”
“Right, because you can do whatever the fuck you want, but I’m supposed to play by the rules. That worked when we were kids, but not anymore.”
Val huffed. “You’ve never played by the rules. I’ve just kept you from self-destructing.”
“Well, now you’re not around to do that. I’m on my own, and I’ll do whatever the fuck I want.”
“The fuck you will.” Val shoved me against the wall and pinned me there with his hands on my chest. I pushed at his shoulders, but he didn’t budge. I hated how he’d always been the strongest one in every possible way. He was always going to be the one our father trusted, the one Lucien trusted, the one they considered a leader.
“I do my work. I deserve to have a little fun.”
“You can have fun without acting like a fucking psychotic stalker.”
“I like watching him.”
Val let me go and held up a hand. “Please don’t give me details about your kinks.”
I grinned. “What’s the matter? Afraid you’ll find out how boring you are?”
“There is nothing boring about what I do with Liam.”
I grabbed my glass and downed the rest of my drink. “I don’t want to be bored either.”
“I’m not asking you to be bored. Find somebody for whatever kinky shit you want to do. Hire somebody. I don’t care, but do not get yourself arrested for stalking. You know what Pops is going say when he finds out.”
“Any chance he won’t?”
Val raised his brows and stared at me.
“Yeah, I know. That’s a stupid question. Does he know already?”
“I didn’t tell him.”
“Thanks.”
“Seriously, Vito? Do you think I’m ratting on you to Pops now?”
“I don’t know. Things are…different.”
“Fuck, that’s not what this is about, is it?”
“No.” My answer was too fast and loud. I’d given myself away. The last thing I wanted was Val feeling sorry for me because I was all by myself. “You need time with Liam, I get it.”
Val narrowed his eyes, studying me. I kept my expression neutral. I didn’t want him to know how bothered I was. He’d spent a hell of a lot of years taking care of me. I shouldn’t need that anymore. “Stay away from him, Vito.”
“Would you have stayed away from Liam if I’d told you to?”
“No. But that’s—”
I scowled at him. “How do you know it’s different?”
“Because Liam was never a game to me.”
“Are you sure hiring him wasn’t a game?”
Val drained his drink and slammed the glass down on the counter. “Just don’t get in trouble again.”
“Fine. Go back to your husband.”
“Vito, I’m—”
“No, I’m fine. Just go. Thanks for taking care of things tonight.”
“I’ll let you know if Pops says anything to me.”
“Yeah, that’s good, thanks.”
When he left, I sank onto the couch. I pulled my phone from my pocket and toyed with it. Val was right. This was crazy, but I wasn’t going to stop. I needed this. I needed the game I was playing, but more than that, I needed to make sure Zeke was safe. He was in trouble with people who wouldn’t hesitate to hurt him, and an injury could put an end to his hockey career. That wasn’t going to happen on my watch.
I wondered if he’d resist the urge to respond if I texted. Would he even pay attention to his phone? He could be out. He could be with another man.
Anger burned through me. Fuck, no. I would not allow that.
I need to talk to you.
No.
I want to help you.
I can handle this.
Just let me talk to you again.
I can’t.
Don’t you mean you won’t?
He didn’t reply. I waited a while, then I called him. When he didn’t answer I decided it was time to go looking for him.