Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73724 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Without sparing a second to think, I only react and grab hold of Dad’s arm, hauling him toward the front entrance.
The next second, an explosion makes the ground shudder beneath our feet and a shock wave slams into us, pushing us through the open factory doors.
Holy shit!
My ears ring from the blast, and I feel disorientated as I glance around me. It takes a moment to realize the factory is engulfed in flames. To my left, Enzo and Leo are regaining consciousness, but there’s no sign of Dominik and Santiago.
Jesus.
Not thinking twice, I run through the torn-up entrance and dart to the left. My eyes instantly sting, and tears start to spill from them. The heat is intense, and the air is filled with smoke.
As I start to cough, my gaze falls on Santiago. I hurry closer, and grabbing hold of his bulletproof vest, I begin to yank him toward the entrance.
Once I have Santiago close enough to the entrance for him to get fresh air, I let go of him and make my way back to the office. The air is dark with smoke, and I pull my shirt up over my mouth and nose. It doesn’t help much. My sight is blurry from tears, but I manage to find Dominik, where he’s slumped against a wall that’s been partially blown away.
I can’t tell if he’s dead or alive, and not wasting time to check, I hook my hands beneath his arms and start to drag his heavy body across the floor.
God.
My lungs burn for air and I’m exhausted, but I can’t bring myself to abandon Dominik. If one of us dies today, the alliance will be the laughingstock of the world.
I need these men more than they need me.
Suddenly, pops fill the air as a crate of ammunition goes up in flames.
A panicked scream tears from me, and the terror filling every inch of my soul gives me the extra strength needed to haul Dominik faster toward the entrance.
With every pop, my body jerks and my fear doubles.
Just as I’m about to drag Dominik out of the factory, the building groans loudly. I glance up, and seeing that it’s starting to collapse, I try to move even faster.
Suddenly an arm comes around my waist, and I’m yanked off my feet while Enzo and Leo grab hold of Dominik. A second later, I’m slammed hard into the ground, and someone covers me as the entrance of the factory collapses near us with a deafening crash.
Gasping for air, I struggle to process everything that’s happened.
The weight lifts off me, and I’m pushed onto my back. It’s only then I see the man who protected me is one of Santiago’s.
I think his name is Knight.
I stare into his dark green eyes and see nothing but anger before he gets up while hauling me onto my feet.
“Thanks,” I whisper. Glancing around at all the destruction, I can’t believe I made it out of the fight alive.
“Let’s get Santiago and Dominik onto the back of the truck,” Leo orders, drawing my attention away from Knight.
“Dominik is hurt,” Enzo mentions as he inspects Dominik’s side.
“But he’s alive?” I ask as I walk closer to Santiago’s truck that’s rigged for war.
“Yes,” Enzo replies.
When Leo, Enzo, and the remaining soldiers load Dominik and Santiago onto the back of the vehicle, I open the door to the driver’s side and climb into the cab.
I’ve never driven a truck before, but come hell or high water, I’ll manage. We need to get away from the destroyed factory.
Honestly, I’m surprised the first responders aren’t on the scene yet.
When everyone is ready, I start the engine. The truck rumbles and shakes as I steer it down the road.
As I drive away from the chaos, I glance in the rearview mirror and see my father sitting with a shell-shocked look on his face.
That day was the scariest of my life, but somehow, I survived and managed to earn the respect of the other alliance members.
Now, I just have to keep up the act so I don’t jeopardize my position as the soon-to-be head of the Greek mafia.
Chapter 2
CASSIA
Mom places the tzatziki dip, crudités, pita, and grilled meat on the kitchen table before she orders our housekeeper, “Go get the others.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Maria quickly replies.
As I get up from the table to grab water for everyone, I remind Mom, “Remember my trip to the island the day after tomorrow. I’ll be gone for a week.”
Immediately after the alliance was formed, Dominik acquired a large island off the coast of Chile, which has since been converted into a safe haven for all its members. We all have our own homes, and there’s a half army to provide protection and a hospital should any of us need medical care. Last I heard, Dominik and his wife, Grace, were moving to the island because she’s pregnant, and they’d like to have the baby there.