Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
The first time I laid eyes on Savannah’s brother.
16
VINNIE
“I suppose it could be nothing,” Falcon says. “Maybe there really is a reason for the EPA to be involved.”
I scratch my chin. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen the property.”
“Do you want to see the property?”
“Yeah, I probably should at some point. I’ll be in touch when it’s possible.”
Grandfather expects to see me at the office early every morning, but I’ll tell him I have an appointment. If he asks who with? I’ll tell him it’s none of his fucking business.
Weakness is not something my grandfather tolerates. Showing my strength, while it may annoy him and anger him, will ultimately lead to him respecting me.
“So what about the ladies?” I say. “Do we tell them what’s going on? Or do we just let them think everything’s taken care of?”
Falcon shakes his head, rubbing his hands over his stubbled cheeks. “I don’t like keeping things from your sister. Or my sister. But damn, I wish Ray weren’t even involved. She needs her strength. She needs to focus on healing. She’s got this idea of starting this foundation. In fact, she met with an attorney yesterday and is getting things set up for it. I get that she needs something to focus on, take her mind off of the last several years. But what she really needs is to be resting.”
I hold up a finger. “Actually, this foundation may be something good for her. It will help keep her mind off the rest of this. So while I agree with you that I don’t like lying to either of them, I think let’s keep it between us for now.”
Falcon nods. “Agreed.”
“Hey, you guys,” Savannah yells down from up in the kitchen. “Dinner is served.”
I finish the rest of my Scotch and soda and set the glass on the bar. I follow Falcon up the short stairway and into his and Savannah’s giant gourmet kitchen, where Savannah has set four places at the solid oak kitchen table.
I noticed yesterday when I came over that they have a huge formal dining room across from the living room and off the foyer as you walk into the house.
Looks like it could seat about twenty people. It’s similar to the dining room in my grandfather’s house.
Fuck. Once he dies, that will be my house.
Ever since I returned to the States, I’ve wondered which will come first. My takedown of the family crime circuit from within, or my grandfather’s natural demise.
It’s more likely that my efforts will outlive him, and I’ll still have my work cut out for me once he does die.
But the fucker’s in remarkable health for a man over eighty. He could be around for another ten years. Hell, I wouldn’t put it past him to round out a full century out of spite. I have seven years before Belinda McAllister comes of age. If I haven’t taken down the family by then, I’ll be forced to marry her.
“You sit here, Vinnie,” Savannah says, gesturing to the seat across from Falcon.
On my right side is Savannah, and on my left, Raven.
And it’s hard not to stare at her. She’s so damned beautiful. Those dark eyes, I swear to God, could see inside a person’s soul.
I feel like if I let her look at me, she’ll see all my secrets. Everything that happened to me. So much I don’t want her to know.
Sure, the worst thing that has ever happened to me occurred back in Long Island, in my grandfather’s study.
But Europe wasn’t exactly an oasis.
Once we’re seated, Savannah passes around the salad bowl and a plate of garlic bread. The lasagna sits in the center of the table. It smells wonderful, and the aroma takes me back not to my time in Italy, but to my childhood. When Serafina made the best lasagna ever.
Savannah and Raven are both beaming.
They think everything has been taken care of.
I hope to God they’re right.
“Vinnie,” Savannah says, “Falcon and I can’t thank you enough for taking care of this.”
I lift my eyebrows at Falcon, and he nods slightly at me. “I’d do anything for you, Sav. I only wish I’d been here to save you from what you went through.”
“We’ve been over and over that,” she says. “You did what you felt you had to do.”
I close my eyes then, thinking about my younger brother. About how he might still be alive if I hadn’t left.
“Let it go, Vinnie,” Savannah says. “Mikey’s in a better place now.”
“I suppose.” I take a bite of bread. The garlic and buttery goodness slide across my tongue.
“Raven made the garlic bread,” Savannah says.
I swallow. “Did you? It’s delicious.” I smile at Raven.
A luscious pink pops up on her cheeks. “I’m glad you like it.”
“It’s great. How did you make it?”
“Well…” A playful grin spreads across her gorgeous face. “I mixed some garlic with butter, spread it on some bread, and put it in the oven.”