Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 130310 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 652(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130310 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 652(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Remo’s hand touched my waist and then it moved up, closer to my breast. My reaction was instinctual, instilled by defense training with Samuel; I jerked my knee up. Remo’s reaction was quick, his hand shooting down, but the momentum still made my knee graze his groin. He growled and I stilled, frozen with fear because of the look in his eyes. He breathed harshly, his gaze burning me with its intensity. Yet a flicker of relief filled me because I doubted I’d have found the strength to end the kiss.
“You shouldn’t touch someone without their explicit permission or they might try to defend themselves,” I said, because obviously I didn’t know when to shut up.
“I don’t ask permission for anything,” Remo said sharply.
Despite my hands trembling, I pressed my palms against Remo’s chest and pushed. He didn’t budge, cocking one dark eyebrow. I held his gaze, and he took a deliberate step back, finally letting me free. My eyes darted down to his hands, curled to white-knuckled fists at his side then back up to his face. I shivered at the harshness of his expression and without thinking about it, I looked away and walked toward the window, bringing space between us.
He followed and his breath fanned over my ear as he leaned down. “I’d better leave now. Tonight isn’t a good time to be around you. Goodnight, Angel.”
His fingers brushed my hair away, and he pressed a kiss to the side of my neck, the tender spot between my shoulder and throat, making me jump in surprise. I clapped a hand over the spot, stunned by the tingling.
The door closed with a soft click then the lock turned. I shuddered out a breath and braced myself against the windowsill. Would Remo allow me to talk to Sam now? I should have asked, but I had been too overwhelmed by Remo’s presence.
This game was getting dangerous in more than one sense. The only question was who would lose control of it first?
REMO
I stayed in front of Serafina’s door, fingers clutching the handle in a death grip. I had half a mind to walk back in and see how much else I could coerce from Serafina with her brother, but I resisted the urge. Taking a deep breath, I leaned my forehead against the wood. That was how Nino found me.
I saw his legs out of the corner of my eye, and even without looking up, I could imagine the analyzing expression he was giving me. “How did things go with Adamo and Harper?”
I straightened and as predicted, Nino was regarding me with that quiet scrutiny that drove me up the wall. “Dante called. He wants another word with you. He seems to be losing his patience,” he said.
“He won’t risk an attack, not if it means I could kill Serafina.”
Nino inclined his head. “Still ... we should start making demands.”
“Maybe you’re right. Think of some ridiculous demand he won’t possibly agree to; I’m not done playing yet. Ask him for Indianapolis or Minneapolis. I don’t care.”
A muscle in Nino’s jaw tightened, a clear sign of his annoyance with me. “Alright. I’ll send him a message.”
“Tell him that I’m allowing Serafina a video chat with her brother tomorrow. He better be ready at eight a.m.”
“You’re cutting it close. Adamo’s initiation starts at eleven.”
“Enough time,” I said then frowned. “You didn’t tell me what happened with Harper.”
“As expected, she used Adamo to supply her with drugs. The moment he told her he couldn’t give her anything, she dropped him and admitted to fucking around with that other guy. Adamo is crushed. He takes these things too personal.”
“Is he angry?”
“Angry at Mason, not at the girl.”
I smiled. “That’s enough. We still need someone Adamo can deal with tomorrow. Tell Fabiano I want him to bring Mason to the initiation.”
Nino looked thoughtful. “Maybe it’ll work. Jealousy and a broken heart are good motivators for brutal acts.”
“Where is he?”
“Outside, smoking. I allowed him one cigarette.”
“I’ll go talk to him.”
“I’m not sure he’s the best dialogue partner at the moment.”
“Nor am I.”
“That’s the problem,” Nino said with a twisted smile.
“Go fuck your wife and stop pissing me off.”
“You haven’t been to the Sugar Trap since you brought Serafina here.”
I sighed. “Maybe I’m not in the mood for whore pussy. I’m taking a few celibate days.”
“You haven’t done that since you started fucking.”
“Stop analyzing everything, Nino,” I growled and stalked off before I punched him.
I found Adamo on a lounge chair beside the pool, scowling into the dark, the cigarette dangling from his mouth giving his face an eerie glow. He didn’t look up when I sank down beside him.
He took a deep drag of his cigarette, and it took every ounce of my almost non-existent control to not rip the fucking thing out of his mouth.