Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
“Which is… not break in?”
“Yes, Ronan.”
“Noted.” I tilt my head as her kettle whistles. She pours hot water over a teabag and doesn’t offer me any, not that I can blame her. I did nearly give her a concussion, and I absolutely ogled her impressive naked body. “You should come to my office tomorrow.”
I’m not sure why I say it. That’s probably not a good idea. It was bad enough, having her show up at Bloody Strike, but inviting her to my house? When I know there will be a lot of cousins and uncles and aunts around? That’s begging for trouble.
“Why would I do that?”
“You want to discuss more jobs. I’m feeling open to the prospect. I think we can do good business together.”
“Ah, all I have to do is knock my head and flash my tits, and suddenly you’re willing to work with me.” She’s trying not to smile. Cheeky, funny girl. When she’s not busy hating me, at least.
“They are impressive tits, I’ll give you that.”
“Don’t be a dick.” She looks away, grinning to herself. “Yeah, fine, I’ll show up.”
“You have some ideas already?”
“I’m brimming with them.”
“I knew it. Come early, before the rush.”
“The rush?”
I walk back toward the door. “It’s a weekend, love, and I’m the boss. I have duties.”
“That’s the biggest shock I’ve gotten all day.”
I look back at her before I leave. She’s holding up her tea, covering her lips, but I can tell by her eyes that she’s grinning. I picture her naked body again, sprawled in the tub, and I remember Julien’s worry and the sharp edge to his tone, and guilt flutters through me.
She’s Italian. She’s not right for me, even if I’m starting to want her. Getting involved is only a business proposition.
And I could use the work right now. The cousins are restless, but a few big scores will quiet them down. Valentina’s exactly what I need, and I have a feeling I’m what she needs too, at least for a while.
“Just don’t open your door for strangers, love,” I say as I leave.
“Not like I was before, asshole!” she calls after me.
Chapter 10
Valentina
The second I park down the block from Ronan’s place, I can instantly tell this was a bad idea.
There are more cars here than I expected. Men sit on the stoop out front smoking cigarettes and laughing loudly even though it’s still early in the morning. I can’t exactly see inside, but this is an extremely familiar scene.
Back when I was young, my house was like this on weekend mornings. My dad would invite the Famiglia over for big breakfasts where his men would air grievances to him in private. Even men and women from outside the Famiglia showed up to make requests of him, and half the time he’d bring me into these meetings to teach me how to be a leader.
Dad was always generous. Sometimes to a fault. The people in his organization loved him, and anyone outside thought he was a monster. That was for good reason. Dad showed extreme benevolence and kindness to anyone on his side, but he was ruthless to anyone that stood up against him.
Like the Bianco Famiglia. They were his primary targets and his main enemies, and half the time he spent figuring out ways to fight them while working to take care of his own.
I remember those mornings. I think about them all the time. Back then, I felt like I had a family, like I had people that cared about me. I had a reason to wake up.
Now that’s all gone, and I’m really not sure I can face that scene all over again but knowing I’m on the outside.
I’m about to turn around and leave when a knock at the passenger door window makes me yelp. I look over and it’s Niall grinning down at me. “Crap,” I hiss to myself and roll down the window.
“Not coming inside to say hello?” he asks, leaning his elbows on the roof and looking down at me.
“I just—” I glance over at the men smoking on the stoop. “I don’t know. It’s a lot, and I can tell he’s busy—”
Niall’s expression softens. “He told you to come, didn’t he? I was just walking over when I saw you park. I’ll escort you inside, yeah?”
“What a gentleman.”
“Just like at Bloody Strike.” He beams, and I realize there’s no escape. I kill the engine and get out, feeling wildly self-conscious, but Niall distracts me with a steady stream of meaningless chatter about some upcoming fights, right up until we reach the stoop.
“Who’s this then?” one of the older men asks. “Got yourself an Italian wife, Niall?”
“Easy, uncle,” Niall says and gestures at me. “This is Valentina Santoro. She’s here to see the boss.”
The man’s eyebrows shoot up and all the men around him look surprised. I say hello and let Niall drag me into the house.