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)
I shrug. “More than he deserved.”
Jace
We board the plane in Boston and head to Italy, Franky and the other one already forgotten. Ming is already on the plane, typing away at her laptop. Holly is here as well, looking flustered and frustrated.
Ny snickers as she moves to her seat. Gio kisses both Ming and Holly on the cheek as he greets them. He sits on Ny’s right side as I take the seat on the left.
“What’s the matter?” Gio says to Holly.
“Have you met your cousin yet?”
“No, I can’t say I have.”
“I used to think you were the most overprotective man I’d ever met.” She pauses to give him a cheeky smile. “Now, I know for a fact that’s not true.”
Ny bursts into laughter. “He still wants to know when you’re coming back. Come on, Holly. You have to admit it’s kind of sweet the way he’s pursuing you.”
Holly rolls her eyes. “He’s a banker. How does he know so much about my whereabouts? I told him I was going to the States, not that I was heading back to New York.”
She holds up her phone toward Ny and widens her eyes. “Gifts on my doorstep. Come on, dude.”
Gio turns his full attention to Holly. The look on his face doesn’t say he’s amused at all. “I’d like to know the same thing,” he says tightly.
“Actually, he’s not just a banker. I asked Ava more about him. He’s some type of royalty. He considers you his. So I wouldn’t be surprised if his team tracked you down.” Ny shrugs.
“Is this going to be a problem?” Gio questions.
“No, Holly won’t have time for him. We’ll be in and out. I won’t even have time to check in with Ava.”
Gio grunts and rubs his eyes. “Is everything ready? Does everyone understand their part?”
“Yup, I got it. I have the snipers I need. All precision shooters,” Ny says. “Ming, Kamiko, and I will take care of getting the clean shots like you want. Just the glass and a few pillars to scare Dario and get his attention. The ladies you’ve had guarding the guys at Don Ferrari’s estate will take care of shooting the blanks like you asked. Nonno’s security will pick off Riccardo’s crew. It will all look like an attack, but no one will be in danger.”
“Good, make sure no one gets close enough for Dario to see them or for them to speak,” Gio replies. “Um, maybe it’s time I meet the family.”
Holly groans. “Please, anything to keep that man from chasing me.”
I start to laugh with Ny. Holly is truly flustered. It’s cute and piques my interest in this guy.
“Is he not attractive?” I ask out of curiosity.
Holly covers her face. “I wish. Picture Gio with blue eyes and about an inch or two shorter. He’s more than attractive.”
Ny laughs louder. “I don’t know why I didn’t see it at first.”
“Because you honestly don’t have eyes for any men other than the two sitting next to you. It’s crazy, like tunnel vision or something.”
I chuckle and pull Ny in to kiss the top of her head. She snuggles into my side as Gio interrogates Holly about this Gianni. I agree with Gio we need to meet this guy. Especially with his interest in Holly.
Dolls are free to date as long as it doesn’t interfere with business. However, it’s my job to protect them and make sure the guys aren’t and won’t be a problem.
Holly has become more like family. It’s even more important for me to watch out for her. Ny would be devastated if anything happened to her. Besides, this guy’s name has been coming up too much. It’s time I dig in.
Chapter 49
Pay Attention
Nyla
Dario comes out of the house right on time. This is too easy. I whistle, signaling for everyone to get into position. Cat, Blu, Smoke, Philly, and Justice are all in place with the six we’re herding to their deaths.
The girls have their instructions to get them onto Nonno’s property without being seen or getting in the way of fire. While they are shooting blanks, Nonno’s guys aren’t.
“Release them now,” I say into the comm.
I look through my lens and take the first shot. With precision, I blow the glass out, aiming high enough not to hit anyone inside. The lights come on in the house. I breathe and take another shot right as Ming informs us she’s taking one as well. My shot hits the pillar Dario has ducked behind.
I’m shocked as hell when the doors fly open and Nonno comes out, guns blazing. I only have a moment to process what I’m seeing.
That’s my nonno. I want to fucking fist-pump and hug him at the same time. “Cease-fire,” I command. “Only shoot if they get too close. Kill shot to the head.”
My heart is racing, but I grin proudly as the last of the six falls. We’re finished here. I pull my phone to call Gio and report in.