Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 110771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“Finish that sentence and I will fly down to Phoenix tonight and cut out your fucking tongue.”
“Seems to me you’re a bit touchy for a man who says he’s only having me watch her for her protection—not because said woman belongs to him.”
“Helena and who she is, is none of your business.”
“Well, someone needs to make her their business. Your girl has managed to attract the attention of Ivan Levkin and just saying man, that’s something no sane woman wants to do.”
“Fucking hell,” I exhale.
“That said, she wasn’t truly doing anything other than standing and talking to me when he saw her. Looking the way she does, though, she doesn’t need to do much else.”
“So, I need to have a word with the head of the fucking Russians there? Is that what you’re telling me?”
“Well, you could do that,” he returns. “I don’t think I would, though. I personally think the less ole’ Ivan spends thinking of Helena the better. So, not sure having your words with him would be in her best interest. Ivan is an assclown of epic proportions. He doesn’t like boundaries and he lives to own things that other men want. Since I told him Helena had club protection, that was a red flag—but one he would have honored because we’re forced to work together on several projects while I clean up the shit here in Phoenix. I’ve also made it priority to show that my club is a force to be reckoned with. That’s something that I’m doing a decent of enough job with because of the ties I have in Miami and proving this club has the balls and fire power to back up my threats. All that means, I was comfortable throwing out the play that Helena was club property. Then, Zervas had to fuck that up by claiming her as his woman.”
“He did what?” I bark.
“He claimed her. I will add this is a fact that your girl didn’t seem too thrilled with and was shocked to hear.”
“Jesus, this is sounding like a clusterfuck.”
“Pretty much. The girl needs rescued because like I said, she’s a magnet for trouble and the trouble she’s buying could go sour real quick. So, if you’re not going to claim her, I’m thinking I might wade in.”
“You will not.”
“Someone needs to. Zervas Cirillo claiming her was bad news. Ivan will see that as a challenge to get her and when your girl turns him down, he will get creative. He does not take no for an answer.”
“You monitor that shit closely. If a claim needs to be staked, I’ll step in and do it in a way that Ivan won’t be breathing when it’s done.”
“Now, ain’t that some funny shit.”
“What?” I ask, not knowing what he’s talking about and still pissed off at the shitstorm that Helena is creating.
“You let her leave Athens and sell me bullshit about just wanting to make sure she has protection. You leave out the part where you explain she means something to you—”
“I don’t—”
“And now, you’re willing to kill the head of the Bratva just to keep her away from him. Ivan may not have many friends—”
“I don’t give a fuck.”
“He may not have many friends, but someone puts him on ice they will move forward to exact revenge and make an example as they do it.”
“They can try.” I sigh, feeling so fucking tired that I ache with it. “What’s your next move?” I ask.
“Some fancy art showing tomorrow night. I’m seeing to some personal shit there, so I’ll look after the girl who is yours but apparently not completely yours while I’m there. I think you may need to look at a broader picture here.”
“What’s that?”
“If Zervas Cirillo is in bed with Ivan, the shit he’s involved with is not good. Shit went down with the Russians a few years back that jammed up Kilian. That involved art forgery. With Ivan? My guess this time it’s not forgery, it’d be drugs. Having connections with a spineless shit who owns an art studio that imports worldwide would make an appealing situation for someone like Ivan. Wouldn’t fill me with warm fuzzies to have a girl, who is not my girl, but I obviously got the dick ache for, to be working in the middle of that.”
“Warm fuzzies? Christ.”
“You get me,” he laughs.
“Did you give Killian or Antonio these kinds of headaches?”
“No, but then they didn’t hesitate to claim what was theirs. If they had left their women’s asses hung out to dry, I’m sure I would have.”
“There’s shit you’re not aware of,” I mutter, not about to explain myself.
Mostly because my head is so fucked up, I’m not sure I can explain.
“Fair enough. Maybe you should ask yourself is all that shit going to matter if it gets Helena hurt or worse, dead.”