Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 39756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
“Before you get money hungry, be smart. Eyes on the prize, but also watch your back and don’t forget you still have a job to do at the end of the day.” I turn around from the bar, one hand in my pocket, balled up in a fist since I’m unable to show any emotion, anger or worry. Not when you’re the boss of the Donotello Mafia. My other hand holds the bottle of beer loosely. I’m attempting not to take one long pull, guzzling it down in record time, which is what I’ll be doing as soon as the room is cleared.
“Yes, boss,” a few of the men answer. Some nod their head in respect. One man in particular, younger, a brawler of sorts, and a man who’s showing his worth, even if I was apprehensive at first for bringing him in at the age of twenty-one with little to no blood ties. I saw something in him, and Enzo did as well, which is why he is here now.
“You may go or stay and have a drink. Either way, you’re released,” I state, allowing myself to finally divulge in my beer. Not quite the gulp I’d take at my own home in the comfort of my office. If I were there, something much stronger would be consumed. Instead, I’m here, waiting for the room to clear to have another chat with Enzo and then figure out why the fuck Journey hasn’t called me like I told her to do.
“Enzo, I need to make a phone call,” I tell him when he’s close enough to me without anyone else able to hear our conversation. I’m not usually adamant about her calling me, knowing that what works when we’re in bed together doesn’t always work outside of the bedroom. And she’s making that apparent by not calling me. Looks as if I’ll be the one using the phone tonight.
“Go on. I’ll let you know if any of the men need you.” I nod at his statement and head towards the back where I have an office, small in size but enough to bust heads when needed, and make one important fucking phone call.
SIX
Journey
The closet is finally cleaned and organized; it took Delaney and me hours. Really, I went through everything. My best friend, though, he tackled that with swiftness. I’m talking color coordinated, short sleeve to long sleeve, every single item meticulously categorized. So, while eating our pizza and salad, drinking more than one bottle of wine with my best friend, I realized it helped. It soothed me more than I thought could happen. Usually, it takes a good solid week to bounce back after the charity gala. Thankfully, my best friend pulled through, and while I was supposed to call Nico, well, let’s just say that didn’t happen.
Instead, Delaney ordered a car when it was finally time to call it a night, the two of us giggling while he finally gave in to meeting Pierre as long as I’m there when it happens. Which means I’ll be calling Monica first thing tomorrow morning and we’ll be working our magic in securing Pierre as well. Darn stubborn men who we love and adore so much. “Speaking of, I need to call a certain man who I have no doubt will punish me in the best ways possible if I don’t,” I tell the now empty apartment while I take care of the empty food boxes after putting the leftover pizza in a reusable Ziplock bag. Thank you, two-day shipping for keeping me in check along with feeding my online shopping addiction. The salad doesn’t take up nearly as much room in the fridge, so I just close the lid and shove it in the fridge next to the other leftovers.
“Now, where is my phone?” My eyes glance towards the living room, but I don’t see it on the coffee table. No, the only things placed on top of the solid wood are two empty wine glasses along with not one or two wine bottles but three. Tomorrow is definitely going to be a doozy if I don’t get some water, pain killers, and sleep. As much as I want that, the need to call Nico consumes me more. As I turn the lights off throughout my condo, leaving the mess to clean up tomorrow, I remember that my phone is still in my closet, where I left it on the island. With a pep in my step, I practically skip knowing I’ll be talking to Nico sooner rather than later, and maybe I can convince him to come over even if it happens while I’m asleep again.
“Shit.” I’m inside my closet in no time. This place isn’t as big as Nico’s, but it’s the perfect size for what I need. I pick up my phone, the bottom half of my body leaning on the island, and see that there’s more than one missed call from Nico. It’s now close to midnight.