Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 93425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
"I wanted to make him proud of me."
Well, screw his expectations of me. He certainly hasn’t lived up to my expectations of him. And I have someone coming who is far more important than him. My hand migrates down to my stomach.
“Do you think I could talk to a therapist while I’m here? I think I have a lot to work through,” I ask her, realizing that she isn't equipped to deal with my emotional revelations.
My aunt gives me one of her soft smiles and she nods her head. “Of course you can, dear. We’ll get you settled, and the midwife is coming to see you tomorrow. We’ll see if she has any recommendations on therapists.”
Instead of going to the room she set up for me at her house, I bring my bags into the living room and go out to her animals. Right now, she has some chickens, goats, and a miniature cow. The miniature cow spots me and jots right up to me, pressing her head into me to ask for attention.
My aunt gives me space, but only for a little while. When she comes to find me, I'm lying with my head on the cow.
“I’ll help you find a therapist, but you don’t need to wait until you’re in therapy. We can talk about it now,” she tells me, running her fingers through my hair. I nod my head, knowing I can talk with her about anything.
“I will. Eventually. Not today.”
Chapter Nine- Enzo (Five Years Later)
I’m a bitch, I’m a boss. I’m a bitch and a boss and I shine like gloss.
I sigh, staring down at the man I’m interrogating as my phone rings in the background. The unmistakable ringtone my father set on the phone himself rings out through the room, breaking the atmosphere of intimidation I was setting. Instead of being afraid of me, the man accused of discounting our stock and selling it to the Russians at wholesale prices snickered.
I hit him across the face with my pistol.
The man will never leave this warehouse alive. I just need information from him before I kill him, namely, who else may work with him in this little scheme?
It was almost comical, the way he had been begging for mercy when I had been taking a baseball bat to his knees. Begging, but refusing to talk. I scowl at my phone. We were making progress and I’m sure the man was going to talk soon. There is no chance now.
I didn't pick out the ringtone on my phone. I don't customize ringtones. My father set it, insistent that his unique ring tone will remind me to always pick up when my Don is calling.
And you don’t say no to the Don.
I shoot the rat in the head. There’s no point in wasting any more time with him. Others will reveal themselves with time.
Sal may be my father but he is also a ruthless Don. It’s a piece of him not everyone sees. My mother and sisters don't see what he is capable of, but I'm not given the same courtesy. Working under him, and being primed to take over for him, means I am all too familiar with his irritability when he is kept waiting.
“Hello,” I growl into the phone when I bring it to my ear.
“Mansion. Now. We have a problem with Eric,” my father says. He doesn't give me any more information before hanging up the phone.
I frown at the dark screen. There’s only one thing about Eric I care to deal with, and that’s his daughter who should be coming home from university soon. When she went away, I assumed she would be back for the holidays and to spend time with her father, but Eric never spoke about her. My father assures me he is keeping tabs on the situation, but he hasn't provided me with an update.
It has been far too long since I’ve gotten to see her luscious red hair since I have got to feel those full lips against my own. I never got to learn if they feel as good going down my cock as they did against my mouth. And her pussy. I have dreams about her pussy about every damn night.
It’s been five years. A year longer than I told my father I would wait, but he insists she has the opportunity to finish university. I’m done waiting. The next time I see her, I'm going to tattoo my name on her ass. Property of Lorenzo Lombardi.
It has briefly occurred to me she'll be different from the girl I met. Five years is a long time. Eric hasn’t mentioned an engagement. I would have gone and taken her back home immediately if he ever did, but that doesn't mean there aren't any long-term boyfriends. The thought makes me sick to my stomach. It won't matter. She's mine. Any man she met while she's been away is a temporary distraction.