Total pages in book: 163
Estimated words: 163540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 818(@200wpm)___ 654(@250wpm)___ 545(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 818(@200wpm)___ 654(@250wpm)___ 545(@300wpm)
I step forward, dangerously close to losing control.
“Rico, don’t,” Lorenzo whispers. “Leave it.”
“I love her, and you can’t keep her from me.”
Contempt drips from my every pore. I don’t think I’ve ever despised someone as much as I despise him.
“Watch me,” I whisper.
He steps forward.
The kids got guts; I’ll give him that.
“Over my dead body will you ever see Francesca again,” I sneer.
He growls at me through gritted teeth, and I turn to get into the car. Once inside, I slam the door.
“Drive!” I yell to Antonio. I turn to Francesca who is crying in the backseat.
“I hate you, Enrico,” she cries.
I turn back to the road and drag my hands through my hair.
I can’t even speak to her, I’m too angry. This situation is completely out of control.
What the actual fuck just happened?
He’s her brother.
“Enrico, can I see you for a moment?” Marly asks as he pokes his head around my office door.
“Yes, please come in.”
Lorenzo stands to leave, and Marly looks between us. “Can you stay, Lorenzo?”
Lorenzo’s eyes meet mine. “Sure.” He falls back into his seat.
Marly falls into the seat. He seems nervous. “I had a phone call today from a private number.”
“And?”
“Someone offered me ten million euros to kill you.”
“What?”
He swallows nervously. “Lucky Lombardi is trying to recruit someone from your own team to kill you.”
I stare at him, lost for words.
“What?” Lorenzo explodes as he jumps from his chair. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.” He twists his hands nervously in front of him. “I told him I would do it, because I didn’t want him to contact anyone else. It will buy us some time. If I said no, he would have offered it to someone else. This way, he thinks I am going to do it.”
“Good thinking, Marly. Well done,” Lorenzo tells him.
I begin to hear my heartbeat in my ears, and I go to the window and stare out the city.
My inside team? Who can I trust now?
“He’s gone too far!” Lorenzo barks. “I’m going to kill him with my bare hands.”
“Who else has he contacted?” I ask. What if he bribes one of Olivia’s guards?
“Nobody would ever take a deal, Enrico. Our men are family.”
She’s in danger.
I stare out over the city as my mind begins to race. “Ten million euros is a lot of money, Lorenzo. It’s only a matter of time before someone accepts it.”
“Put a bounty on his head for fifteen million. His own men won’t be so loyal,” Lorenzo fires back.
I go to the bar and pour myself a drink where I quickly drain the glass. “We’re losing control,” I say quietly.
“We aren’t.”
“Lombardi has contacted my private security guard and offered him ten million fucking euros to kill me. What control do you think I have left?” I cry.
Lorenzo puts his head into his hands, and I turn to Marly. “Thank you, my friend. Your loyalty is greatly appreciated and will be well rewarded. Please, put your ear to the ground and try to find out if anyone else has been contacted.”
“Yes, boss.” He dips his head and rushes from the room.
I pour another glass of scotch as a heaviness hangs in the air. There has been a lot of bad things happening lately, but this is a low blow.
“Who can we trust?” I whisper. “I have no choice. I’m sending Olivia to New York.”
Lorenzo drops his head in defeat.
“It’s the only way I can guarantee her safety.”
“Go with her,” he pleads. “Run, hide… just until I find him. We will flush him out.”
“No.” I sip my drink. “I’m staying. He doesn’t even want the brothels. His war is with me. He wants my Ferrara skin for bragging rights.”
Lorenzo drags his shaky hand down his face. He knows I’m right.
My phone vibrates on my desk and an unidentified number comes up. Lorenzo’s eyes meet mine.
“Keep him on the line for three minutes,” he says.
I nod. “Hello,” I answer.
“Hand them over or pay consequences.”
“Go to Hell,” I whisper. “What do you think you are doing?”
“You were warned.”
The phone clicks as he hangs up.
Another threat from Lucky Lombardi. It’s the third this week.
I stare straight ahead, and anger rages inside of me like a wildfire.
This time in my life is supposed to be exciting. Announcing my marriage. Planning for a baby.
What I am is stressed beyond belief.
“We’ll find him. You have my word,” Lorenzo says from his seat beside me.
“He’s in hiding.” He shakes his head in frustration. “But he can’t hide forever. When he shows his face, he’s a dead man.”
My buzzer sounds. “Mr. Ferrara, I have Sophia here to see you.”
I roll my eyes. Fuck, this is the last thing I need now. “Give me five minutes,” I say to Lorenzo. I push the intercom. “Send her in.”
The door opens and the beautiful Sophia comes into view.
“Hello.” I stand, smile, and I kiss her cheek.