Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
“I know what you’re doing, you know,” James sneered from behind her as he came back inside the room, his sole purpose still being to watch over her.
She didn’t bother answering him even though she had a feeling he did know. More than anyone here, he was aware of how high her tolerance for pain was. Over the years, one thing she had become really good at was knowing which injuries killed and which injuries looked like it could kill...but didn’t. It was the latter that she used to keep Manolito entertained so he would not think so much about raping her. Maybe, maybe if she kept breaking her bones, he would be satisfied with that.
“Sooner or later, he’ll see through you,” James spat. “He’ll listen to me and know that I’ve been saying the truth all along. You can’t be trusted, you’re a stupid cunt, and once he knows that’s true, he’ll rip into you good.”
She looked over her shoulder. “Just between you and me, James?”
“What’s that, cunt?”
“I think he’ll rip into you first.”
James came at her with a roar.
By the time Manolito’s men had come to her aid, he had scratched her face, left her with a bruised lip, and dislocated her shoulder. But he did what she wanted. She was so badly injured, she knew she would be knocked unconscious because of it. Manolito would be mad at James, not her. All in all, it could add another two days’ delay. Maybe, if she was lucky, it could stretch to three.
As the world swam above her, MJ heard Helios say from behind, Good job, brat.
I knew you’d be proud of me.
I am. So fucking much.
Can I see you now?
Not just yet. But soon.
I love you, Helios.
Love you more than you could ever possibly know, brat. So hang in there for me.
I’ll do my best.
Chapter Four
DAHLIA ANDREADIS’ FIRST inkling that something was wrong came when the limousine she was riding was refused entry...to her very own home. She gaped as she listened to the voice coming from the intercom, unable to believe someone could be so idiotic. What was this? An attempt to take over her own home in broad daylight?
Her chauffeur looked at her over his shoulder, worry stamped all over his face. “I’m sorry, Madam Andreadis. He says if you want to go inside, you must go inside on foot.”
Something skittered over her veins, like a traitorous snake about to strike at her. She took out her phone and dialed the number of the police chief. She listened with growing consternation as the phone only rang – and kept ringing until it was disconnected.
Ungrateful peasant, Dahlia thought furiously. She did not pay him so much every month to have him ignore her calls. Throwing the door open, she stomped out of the car and stalked straight to the ornate gates that were held close against its own mistress.
She opened her mouth to scream invectives at whoever was behind this, but the words died in her throat when the gates swung open. When she saw what was before her, Dahlia’s knees shook, and only sheer pride kept her standing.
All of her men were on the ground, most of them looking like they had gone through hell. And guarding them were an unsavory-looking crowd, not one of them even looking remotely Greek to her. How were they able to enter her compound and not have her own neighbors raise an alarm?
It took her a long while to climb the uphill path leading to the mansion. Every step had her feeling more and more unnerved, the silent stares of the foreign-looking intruders around her creating an ominously eerie atmosphere. All her guards avoided her gaze as she passed them by, as if merely looking at Dahlia would have their heads cut off.
Nothing about this made sense, Dahlia thought numbly. Nothing. Why was this even happening?
She couldn’t think of anyone who was angry enough at her family to do something this drastic. No one except for—
“A word, Mrs. Andreadis?”
Her head jerked up and she gasped, her face mottled with fury when she saw the man standing at the top of the stairs. “You!” It was the police chief himself. “What’s going on here? How dare you—”
“I’ve been asked to give you a message, Mrs. Andreadis.”
“I don’t give a damn,” she screeched. “You will pay for this—”
“Helios Andreadis says, an eye for an eye.”
Her heart dropped to her stomach at the words, and Dahlia almost swayed on her feet. Helios. He was here again, and this time he meant business. Let sleeping dogs lie. Wasn’t that how the American saying went? Ah, but with Helios, it was more like a slumbering predator of a lion, and she had stupidly prodded him awake and roused his temper.
She looked behind her, seeing all of her guards were still down on the ground, every one of them rendered helpless by the mighty force that Helios had brought in. Dahlia looked back at the police chief, whose face was unflinchingly calm.