Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“You mean me?”
“I mean the threat of you. I won’t ask you to do anything you don’t want to do, but Erick’s given me an idea of how I can move forward.”
She shuts her eyes and takes a deep breath. “I won’t stop you. Whatever you feel is right, but it’s not what I want.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I release my grip and stand. “Come on. I should get my new wife back home. It’s late.”
“How about we swing by the casino first.” She gives me a sly smile. “Now that the gambling is on the house, I feel like playing.”
I bark a laugh. “You and my mother are going to get along well one of these days.”
“Try telling her that.” Casey slips her hand through my arm and holds onto my bicep. I love the way she leans into me, the smell of her hair, the way she shuffles in sync with my steps.
“Okay then, my wife. What are we playing tonight?”
She shrugs, leaning her head on my arm. “Whatever you want.”
“My three favorite words.”
Chapter 37
Casey
Roxie stretches out on the couch with a yawn. Her face is still puffy from where Tony punched her, but she looks otherwise very well-rested. “There’s nothing like staying in a free room in a luxury casino with all expenses handled.”
“Adler’s very generous to people that get punched in the face for him.”
She snorts. “I didn’t get punched for him. I got punched for you. Now tell me about this dinner with his family.”
I give her the quick rundown. “It was honestly pretty good. I mean, I wouldn’t say they welcomed me with open arms, but the boys were at least willing to tolerate me. His mother was tougher, but—” I make a helpless gesture.
“She’ll come around.”
“I figured his brothers were going to give me hell since they basically told me to stay far away from Adler.”
“How much do they know? About him and the accident?”
“Only that he’s been watching me for a while. I think that’s what they were trying to warn me about—Adler’s whole stalking thing. I can tell they don’t approve, but Adler’s also the head of the family, which I guess makes it more complicated.”
Roxie whistles. “You’re mobbed up now, huh?”
“I am not mobbed up!”
“You actually are, hon.” She pats my knee. “Deeply mobbed up.”
“Adler’s family is just—” I pause, searching for the word. “They’re just a business, that’s all.”
“Right, they’re a business, and their main product is crime.”
“You’re pleased with that one, aren’t you?”
She beams at me. “Obviously, it was a killer line. Speaking of killers—did you like his brothers?”
I swat at her, which only makes her laugh harder. “They were—I don’t know if nice is the word, but they were funny at least. Conlan’s really outgoing and ridiculous. Jayson’s more serious, a little more reserved. Erick’s quiet. Adler’s sort of a mix of all four in a weird way. I can tell they get along, but there’s also a strain between them. I think they had a really hard upbringing.”
“God, don’t make me pity the rich boys.”
“Their father was abusive. Like, psychopath-style abusive, made the boys fight against each other while also preaching this weird family loyalty thing. I think it messed them up or at least made it really hard to remain friends.”
“All right, well, here’s the big question: can you see yourself being a part of that dysfunction? Long-term, I mean?”
I sit back and consider. Do I want to stay in the Costa family? It was one dinner and it went pretty well, but the way Adler approached it makes me think that might’ve been a fluke, and future dinners won’t be as congenial.
Then again, maybe this family needs an outsider to force them to behave.
“Would you think I’m crazy if I said I’m considering it?” I meet the worried look she gives me with a soft smile. “I mean, have you seen Adler lately?”
“Yes, your husband is a total dime, but come on. He tricked you into this.”
“In order to protect me.”
She gestures at her face. “He did a great job.”
“We both know that wasn’t his fault. We’d both be dead if it weren’t for him.”
“Allegedly,” she grumbles.
“Aren’t you the one that wanted me to give it a chance?”
She groans, leaning back into the pillows. “I know, I know, but that was before I got punched in the fucking mouth.”
“Oh, look at you, things get a little hard, you get punched one time, and suddenly I should run away.”
She laughs and kicks at me. I grin, deflecting her weak blow. “Okay, fine. If you want my honest opinion, I think there’s no rush. You still need his protection right now anyway, and while you’re married to the guy, you might as well find out if you like it.”
“That’s… strangely reasonable.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
“So, what, I should just keep doing what I’m doing?”