Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
I nod. “He’s never taken me seriously, and I think he’s just trying to unsettle us.”
“He doesn’t like that you’re the head of the Rossi family. I know that.”
“Most people don’t. I didn’t have the right the way most do. My father was just a regular guy, and no one liked that, but my grandfather only had one child—my mother. There was no one else—just me.”
Henry nods. “You shouldn’t let that bother you. You’re not illegitimate.”
“No, but for some reason, the world likes to think I am. It makes my life in this world that much harder,” I admit, thinking of all the targets on my back over the years and all the meetings I was berated at for the fact my father wasn’t an Italian Mafia man. It didn’t make my life easy.
Even if my father was good at doing work for the mob, my mother was even better. They were a hell of a team, though childbearing didn’t come with the same ease. They worked hard to conceive but ended up with only me—the sole heir.
“Who are you gonna pass it to?” Henry’s comment comes out of left field, and I take a deep breath, running my hands over my face. “Gerard? No one’s going to like that.”
“I don’t know.” I need an heir. My mind fills with the images of Liz beneath me, and I can’t help but picture what a couple of kids would look like for us. Would it make sense? Would she want that with me? It’s such a big step, but I have feelings for her. They’re already there.
“If you’re going to pass it to him, you’re gonna have to introduce that idea soon so he can start gaining the respect that he deserves from everyone.”
“He’s only one of my enforcers and bodyguards. I haven’t considered passing anything down to him. I don’t intend to, either.”
Henry’s brows shoot up. “So what’re you gonna do? Reach out for an arrangement? No one likes a bastard child. It’s not like you can knock up some random woman to get your heir.”
“I never said that I was going to do that, and we both know that I don’t do arranged marriages. I think I’ll pass on that. Most of the other families are already taken care of.”
Henry purses his lips. “Well, then again, I think Gerard is your best choice. With all this heat, you need to make a statement with that. You need to shore up everything in case, well, you know.”
“What? You think they’re gonna try to whack us or something?” I laugh, shaking my head at him. “Vitali isn’t the brightest, but he knows better than to start that war, which is exactly what would happen.”
Henry nods, falling silent as the city comes into view. Usually, seeing the city brings me some relief—the feeling that I’m home. But today, it leaves me with a sense of nervousness that I haven’t felt in a long time. I don’t think it’s because I’ve fallen for Henry’s daughter. No, this is strictly business-related.
Henry makes his way to Brooklyn, parking on the top floor of a parking garage connected to an office building. I’ve been here before, and it was never on good terms. I double-check that my pistol is fastened securely in my waistband and then get out of the car, the sound of the city hitting me in one big blast. It feels chaotic in the moment.
“Let’s get this over with.” Henry looks just as grim as I feel. We make our way to the elevator, selecting the fifteenth floor.
Maybe he’ll just shove us right through one of the windows.
The intrusive thought gives me the chills, and I push it away. I know Vitali won’t off us. Not here. This isn’t the place for that, but I don’t discount that he hasn’t already considered the prospect of taking me out. They all think about it.
My family has always been powerful, if not the most powerful in the city. That thought comforts me, and Henry and I exchange one more glance as the elevator chimes. The doors slide open, and I step out onto the floor. It’s set up like any other office, though I must admit that the air is stale. The scent of cigar smoke lingers as Henry leads the way to the front desk.
“Can I help you?” A woman with long blond hair and bright blue eyes looks up at us, playing stupid over her dark-rimmed glasses.
“We’re here to see Mr. Vitali.”
“Of course.” She stands, drawing attention to her tight pencil skirt and white blouse. Without a doubt, I know this woman probably serves Vitali in more ways than just organizing his schedule. “He’s expecting you this morning.”
I’m sure he is.
Henry and I follow her in silence, the blank white walls feeling claustrophobic as we weave through a hallway to an oversized black door. She gives it two taps with her knuckles.