Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
“Then the Pitman family entered the picture. They became pawns for the dirty work. It’s our belief that while your father may have been a part of the coup, he did not know they were going to kill your mother. They were actually planning to frame him. However, something went wrong.
“I could never find out what. Or who was heading the plays, but I know I got close. I was about to stumble upon something the morning of that race.
“I still believe the race was used to distract me and it did for a while. In the beginning, Marvin didn’t know who you boys were or who all was involved. I covered all your tracks until our opposition shut me down.
“I then turned my attention back to getting answers and I was closing in again. That’s when I had to leave because I got too close. Yannis was able to pull me out,” Lester says.
“Okay, and what does this have to do with me now?”
“Your father is about to be blindsided again. This time, you’re the target. He’s in bed with the enemy and doesn’t know it,” Lester says.
“It’s in my best interest to protect you as well as my grandsons. The person, this marionette who’s been dancing just outside our reach, is getting ready to cut the strings and I don’t believe Ulysses sees it coming,” Yannis says.
“In other words, your father is no longer useful,” Lester finishes.
“And you had me come all the way here because…”
“Because five years ago someone tried to get my attention,” Pappoús says.
“And nine years before that, they had mine,” Lester says tightly. “You… you believe your crash was an accident. I have reason to believe it wasn’t. You do know who I was to Vander, don’t you?”
“The eyes and ears,” I reply.
He nods. “You know how they say a criminal can’t stand not receiving credit for their crimes, so they’ll return to the scene of the crime?”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that.”
“The person responsible for your mother and my wife’s deaths returned and didn’t receive the spotlight they were looking for. Now they’re back to finish.”
“We need to find them before they do,” Blake says.
“Aren’t you the see all of my era? Pit gets his information from you,” I toss at him.
“Not this time. Again, it’s outside my reach and I don’t think I’m looking at all the pieces.”
“Then I’ll handle it,” I bite out.
“How?” Yannis asks.
“What do you know about your oldest grandson?” I say with a grin.
Chapter 69
Testing One, Two
Kelex
I’ve been thinking over all I’ve learned in the last twenty-four hours. There’s something nagging at me. I don’t want to believe it, but I’d be a fool to ignore this feeling.
I didn’t mention it to Blake or the others because those men aren’t playing. Pappoús might want me to keep my hands clean, but he’s not going to hold back. I need to be sure before I set something in motion I can’t change.
Sitting in the back of the car on the way to our flight back, I take a calming breath. Then I shoot off a text.
Me: Time to celebrate.
Me: I’m thinking skydiving with the crew. You in?
Jeff: What are we celebrating?
Me: I’m free. That’s it. Vander goes to someone else.
Me: That chapter is finally closed. Nothing can change my fate now.
Me: Nothing but me losing my shit and bringing it all down on my own head.
Jeff: Yeah. Skydiving sounds cool. I’m in.
Jeff: Has someone else been named?
Me: Nah. There’s a vacancy, but who cares?
He goes silent, but I wait. I know he’s not done. There’re two ways this can go. The way that tells me I’m wrong and the one that says Pappoús has been trying to show me something all along.
Jeff: If you want something done. You do it yourself.
Me: What?
Jeff: Nothing.
I grin and tap my phone against my lip. I’m ready to get back home. I have a lot to think about. Opening a different contact, I send another text.
Me: I’m ready to call in that favor.
Pit: What do you need?
Me: Keep a seat open. I’m coming to see you.
Pit: I’ve got you.
I drop my phone in my lap and look out of the window. I’ll have those answers soon. I snort.
“Ut-oh,” Blake says beside me. I turn to look at him. “I know that sound. What are you thinking?”
“I’ve been raised by kingmakers.”
“Yes, you have. Now to watch the true kings rise,” he says with a wide grin.
“From chaos comes clarity and order,” I murmur and laugh to myself.
Chapter 70
Can We…
Shawna
“We’re really going to have another wedding here?” I breathe against Josh’s chest.
We’ve been making love all morning. I think he’s trying to cheer me up from last night. I was sad to hear Kid still hasn’t woken up.
It seemed like all hell broke loose when Josh returned from Italy. So much seems to be going on around us. A part of me couldn’t wait to take off.