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)
“That’s because I have some great news.” I make my voice deliberately sing-songy to feign happiness.
“What’s that?”
“I just talked to Dr. Smith, and he cleared me for driving.”
She furrows her brow. “I thought you had another week to go.”
“I just really want to get back to normal, so I called him. And he said as long as I haven’t had any dizziness or fogginess, it would be okay for me to drive short distances. So this way I can go to my house. Get things fixed up for when I move home in a few weeks.”
“Raven…”
“Call Dr. Smith if you don’t believe me. I just talked to him.”
“Oh no, I believe you.” She wraps her arms around me, stroking the small amount of hair I have on my head. “I’m just worried. It’s a mother’s prerogative, you know.”
I smile, forcing myself to look happy again. Keeping my voice upbeat. “I know you do. But I want to enjoy life again. I want to go to my house. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been there?”
Only two days, but she doesn’t know that.
“I understand, dear. Truly I do.” She breaks the embrace and looks into my eyes. “Would you do me a favor?”
“Of course.”
“Call me when you get to your house, so I know you’re okay?”
“Absolutely, I will. But I may also need to go into town and get some groceries.”
“Groceries?”
“Yeah. You know. So I can make myself a sandwich or something while I’m hanging out there and fixing stuff up.”
“All right, Raven. But do your mama a favor. Just let me know you’re okay. Text me every hour.”
“Every hour?”
She sighs. “All right. Just text me when you’re there safely.”
“I may not be home for dinner tomorrow,” I say.
“You won’t?”
“Well, you know. I have a date. With my lawyer, Brick Latham.”
Which reminds me. I still need to cancel that.
“Oh, that’s great. You sure you’re ready for that?”
“He must think I am because he asked me out. I’ll just have him pick me up at my place. Most of my clothes are still there anyway.’
She opens her mouth—
I hold up a hand to stop her. “And yes, I will call you when we leave on the date, and I will call you when I get home safely.”
“Will you be coming back here for the night?”
“Yes, probably. But it may be late.”
“All right, Raven.” She sighs. “I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep you here forever. But I did get used to having my baby girl around.” She wraps her arms over my shoulders. “If you ever have kids, you’ll know what I mean.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you. Maybe you and Dad can go out tonight. Catch a movie, some dinner. Something fun.” I frown. “You haven’t gotten to do anything fun in so long.”
Mom smiles. “Maybe we’ll do just that, angel.” She kisses me on top of my head and then looks into my eyes. Creases of worry snake across her forehead.
I can see that she’s not comfortable with this. Honestly, I’m not good with it either. I’m lying to my mother, and I hate that.
But I feel like I have no choice.
I don’t regret meeting Vinnie, sleeping with Vinnie.
It was the most amazing experience of my life.
Right now, though? I’m frightened.
Frightened for him. And for me.
30
VINNIE
Grandfather’s words ring in my mind.
You have until midnight tomorrow night.
Rather tonight, at this point.
Raven’s call two days ago surprised me. I want to have dinner with her at her place. I’d love to take her to bed again.
I’m happy about it.
Happy to be seeing Raven, of course.
But it also gives me an alibi.
Giacomo Puzo will die tonight while I’m at Raven’s.
No one will suspect me.
Not that it matters anyway. It gave me a way to set it in motion.
I found out where he is.
He’s in Houston on business.
So I’m driving there now. I’ll put into motion my plan to take care of things.
Just as my grandfather took credit for Diego Vega when I know he had nothing to do with his death, I will take credit for Puzo.
After all, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. I spent all day yesterday putting everything together. I remembered seeing in his medical records that he’s deathly allergic to peanuts, and I’ve arranged for his dinner to be laced with peanut butter. I paid off a maid to abscond with his epi-pen.
Easy enough.
He’s toast.
Do I feel remorse? A bit. I don’t know the man personally, but I know he’s a two-bit mobster who’s gotten involved with some Colombian thugs.
Arivaderci, Giacomo.
I reach Raven’s house at six o’clock. Again, I’m traveling without my driver.
Having a driver feels all wrong to me.
I hate every part of this life. And frankly? I don’t want anyone knowing where I am tonight.
Which is why I rented a car with cash and a fake ID.