Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Except for the night I spent in Antonio’s arms, I’ve felt alone for most of my life. I beat on my brother’s hands just the same. I kick against his hold and try to wrestle away. He ignores me and hoists me up over his shoulder. I look up as tears stream down my face. My father is staring back at me, his expression mocking. Atlas is much the same. I should dry my tears, but I’m too busy grieving the loss of my freedom, and the death of the hope that had begun to blossom inside of me.
antonio
One Month Later
You would think I’d be relaxed. Niko is better and has accepted the position as my Consigliere. He’s a fitting replacement for Maxwell. I still don’t have a second in command, and I still have no desire to appoint anyone. It’s a bitter pill to know that one of my own took out two men who I trusted and cared for. Hell, they almost took out three. I have some reevaluating to do and that’s something that will take time. I’m dealing with too much right now. Since bringing Niko into the fold, you would think I would be satisfied—and yet, I’m not.
I haven’t been able to find Melina and fuck, I’ve been trying hard. I need her in my grasp. I want her and the fact that getting her means I will keep her away from her father is just an added bonus. I’m going to enjoy fucking Dracos over while sinking balls deep into his little girl every night. It turns out when Melina wants to hide out, she’s really good at it. I will find her—I’m just not sure how long it will take, and I know time is my enemy.
Killian and EZ are working on it, and I figure they will have better luck than me, since they have been monitoring Kelly—Melina’s apparent fiancé—for months. Christ, I knew I didn’t like Dracos, but what kind of fucking shit-for-brains father would sell his daughter to that kind of slime?
I pick up the phone and dial Killian’s number to check on the progress. I can’t keep waiting. I need to find her before her father tracks her down. It rings a couple of time before he picks up. I hate to admit that I’m anxious—but I fucking am.
“I was just about to call you,” Killian laughs.
“Does that mean you’ve found her.”
“Yes and no,” he hedges.
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“It means, I know where she is—”
“Yes! Give me the details,” I demand.
“Hold your horses. The truth is, you’re not going to like it.”
“I’m waiting.”
“Dracos is sending Melina and her brother to the states for her wedding.”
My hands shake as Killian delivers the news. It’s not what I wanted to hear. That means Dracos got his hands on her before me. It doesn’t matter. I will get her, and she will not be wearing that motherfucker’s ring when I get my hands on her.
“I need the information on the wedding,” I bite out.
“Woah, Antonio. I know you’re eager to get your hands on this girl, but she will be under heavy protection. There’s no way Kelly will leave her unguarded.”
“It won’t matter. I’ll get her. I just need the details from you.”
“I’ve never been one to tell a man how to run his business,” Killian says.
“That means you shouldn’t start now.”
“You’re essentially declaring war. Is this chick worth all that shit?” he asks.
“That’s my call,” I snap.
“It is. I’m just playing devil’s advocate and making sure you know what you’re getting into.”
“I just need the details, not a third degree.”
“I hope you’re prepared to come to Boston.”
“To get my hands on Melina? It’s not even a question.”
“Damn. Okay, you’re going to need some reinforcements and fire power.”
“Are you volunteering?”
“Putting Kelly out of business has been on my to do list for a while. Really, you’d be doing me a favor by helping me,” Killian responds, and I roll my eyes.
“This has fuck-all to do with that for me.” I leave my answer at that. I want Melina and I mean to have her. Knowing that getting my hands on her before Dracos can seal the deal with Kelly will cause problems for the son of a bitch is just icing on a fucking sweet cake.
“You’ll need to be up here and have all the fire power you can bring with you next week. I know this isn’t a good time for you, what with Maxwell—”
“What day is the wedding?”
“This coming Saturday.”
“I’ll be there Friday.”
I hang up without giving Killian a chance to reply. I have some planning to do.
And a bride to kidnap.
melina
Tomorrow is my wedding day.
My. Wedding. Day.
Brides are supposed to feel excited about their future. They are supposed to worry over making the ceremony goes off without a hitch—not on how long they will be alive after they say I do.