Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
He paused, then sighed. “I’ll find where she is and-”
“I’ll call you back in ten minutes,” I said and ended the call.
I could feel Giotto’s gaze turn to me. He’d probably never seen me so riled up. I went as far as Greenwich Village, and then I had to stop because I didn’t have any clue where to go, and I didn’t want any delays if I had to cross Brooklyn Bridge. Ten minutes was up so I called Hudgens once again.
“What’s the address?” I asked.
“This is off the record,” he said.
“Sure, whatever.”
“He has a property in Greenwich Village and that puts us forty-five minutes away without traffic. Too far to get there quickly. How far away are you?”
“Ten,” I replied. “Give me the full address?”
He gave it to me and I repeated it aloud so that Giotto could hear it and key it into the GPS system.
“Don’t do anything rash. This is-,” Hudgens started to say but I ended the call and threw the phone aside.
Chapter 62
Zola
The night was quiet, quieter than I ever thought London could be, which if I was not in my situation, I would have found incredibly fascinating. From time to time, I would hear an occasional yell from streets away or shared laughter, and the low buzz of vehicles in the distance. Everything seemed far away and muffled, and it was an eerie sort of peace.
With every minute that passed, I felt as though I was aging ten years. I didn't know what to expect beyond the fact that Dante was possibly coming for me, but apart from that, I knew absolutely nothing. I was filthy and exhausted, and even when I lay down on the hard bed, there was no rest.
I thought of Dante and of the fact he was on his way, I prayed with all of my heart that he would be safe. Then I shut my eyes and tried to just rest so that when the time came, I would be able to act quickly and with great strength.
I had not eaten for hours and I knew having some food in my system would help, but with no one offering, I had absolutely no appetite anyway.
About ten minutes later, the door was unlocked and pushed open.
"The boss wants to see you," Francesca said. "Someone will be here in a little while to take you to him, so be ready." She shook her head disapprovingly. “Wash your face or something. You look terrible.”
She went out and locked the door.
I wasn’t in a beauty contest and had absolutely no interest in making myself more presentable so I did nothing. After a few minutes, the door was unlocked and opened by one of his stoic-faced men standing at the door. I sat up, my heart rate quickening. He swung his head to the side, and the message was clear. I was to step out of the room with him.
I stood and followed him up the stairs. By the time I arrived at the ground floor, I could hear faint voices in conversation coming from different parts of the house. It looked like the house had become a hub of activity. I was led back to Ugo’s office.
Ugo was behind his huge mahogany desk. He smiled and leaned into his leather chair. I didn’t return the smile.
"You're quite a serious little thing, aren't you?" he commented, getting to his feet.
He walked over to his bar and poured himself a tumbler of golden liquid. He didn't offer me one. Then he returned to his seat behind the desk. He took a long sip of his drink and apologized.
"I'm sorry I didn't offer you one, but given the meds you’ve probably taken, I don't think it would be in your best interest." He continued drinking with his attention on me.
"I'm thinking about what to do with you," he said conversationally. "I've known Dante since he was a boy. Back then, he was just about your size, maybe a little taller, but he was broad and strong. A handsome lad."
He cocked his head slightly.
"He was completely under my control and I had countless chances to do away with him. If I had known he would end up becoming such a huge problem, I would have. He was quietly ferocious, never letting anyone get away with anything. I admired that about him, so I kept him around, sure that if I could get him to be loyal to me, I'd have the perfect guard dog by my side."
He took another sip of his drink.
"Too bad he turned on me. He crossed the line."
He drained the glass and set it down with a small clunk on the polished surface of his desk. Even though his voice was relaxed I felt waves of fury coming from him. He was livid.
“There can be no more excuses, no more leniency,” he murmured. “Today was the last straw. Do you know he kidnapped my son? Can you believe it?”