Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
She sticks her tongue out at me. Dante walks over and looks between the two of us before he turns his attention to Lizzy. I don’t miss the dreamy way she looks at my little brother. My job here is almost done.
I just need Dante to open his eyes to what’s in front of him. I look down at my phone as I listen to Dante ask about some things on his schedule. Meanwhile, my attention is really on Peter Hall, Frances’s nephew.
He’s watching Lizzy intently. As he does most of the time. He applied for an internship not long after Lizzy was promoted the last time.
After digging into him some more, Jace learned he’s a huge Izzy Gunz fan. The dude is big-time obsessed. I keep him right where I can see him for a reason.
I have plans for him. Everything has a time and reason. Everything.
Nyla
“S&M” the Rihanna and Britney Spears version, plays through the speakers in my training gym while I sit in my throne chair puffing on a cigar. A grin comes to my lips as I watch my girls train.
They’re it. This is what he wanted. I’ve found perfect soldiers.
Six hard-core beauties. My grin widens as I watch them take Holly and Kamiko to task. This is the first class of trainees to ever make Kamiko break a sweat. Heck, not many have been able to give Holly a run for her money.
Philly, Smoke, and Blu are making Holly work for every hit she gets in. I sit up and drape my forearms over my thighs.
“Come on, Holly. I know you’re not going to go out like that.” I puff at my cigar and narrow my eyes, then blow the smoke out. “Come on, don’t let them through,” I yell as Kamiko almost breaks through the three attacking her.
“Kamiko, Holly, don’t allow them to get to the target. Keep them engaged. It’s your job to distract them as much as it’s theirs to keep you trapped.”
Cat is the strongest of the three surrounding Kamiko. She’s holding her own, but Kamiko has winded Justice and Coco. Cat spins and throws a backhanded punch at Kamiko.
Kamiko stumbles back and Cat takes off for their target. I shift my gaze to Ava. She’s looking down at her nails, unfazed. When Cat reaches her, she spins out of the way and throws a kick right at Cat’s midsection.
Kamiko has recovered and is backing Coco and Justice down so they can’t join Cat. I stand from my seat.
“We all know what happens if I have to come down off this throne. I need you ready,” I bellow. “He’s not going to suffer the weak. You’re not going to embarrass me.”
“Yes, master,” they pant in answer.
I’ve been pushing them harder. I can’t hide here forever. Riccardo needs to take his last breath. I’ve given up on anything else I wanted out of life. That motherfucker’s death is all I want.
I’m beyond a woman scorned. I’m a woman on fire and I’m going to burn everything down until I can breathe again.
“I might as well go make lunch. They’re not ready for me,” Ava taunts.
I smile. This time with her has changed me. Although consumed with my anger, I’ve had time to think about what’s left of my life. I wasn’t sure I’d come here this time, but I’m glad I did.
Cat growls and attacks Ava again. This time Ava actually has to block several hits, bringing me off this pedestal. I drop my cigar in the bucket and run at Cat. Jumping in the air, I then wrap my legs around her neck to toss her ass, landing in a crouch. I stand, blocking Ava as Philly and Smoke make it past Holly.
I drop both their asses and stand with my chest heaving. I give a slow clap as Holly and Kamiko floor the rest.
“Not bad. You’re almost ready. You three, give me ten laps.”
I wrap an arm around Ava’s neck. “You okay?”
“Never better. You girls have been keeping me young. It’s making me miss your mom like crazy though.” She reaches to cup my face. “You’re so much like her. She’d be so proud.”
I smile and lean my head on her shoulder. I don’t tell her, but if my mother were here, I’d be a different person. I’d be somewhere living a life.
“You still have time, Ny. It’s not over,” she says as if reading my thoughts.
“I want to hope you’re right, but what if nothing changes? What if he calls me back and it’s the same old thing? I can’t do another minute of that. I need all of him this time.”
“Trust me, honey. I’m right. You will find your way this time. Remember… you work toward common goals and peace is achieved in all things. It’s about balance.”
I nod and remain silent. Ava stops and cups my face as she turns and looks into my eyes. My heart aches as I see so much of Gio on her face.