Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Franco, you’re going to have to choose. Either you let her go, or you make her part of the family. You tell her everything.” He’s right. But the truth will have her running for the hills. I’ve already gotten myself too deep into this. If she found out why she’s really here, I don’t think she’ll ever want to see me again.
Perhaps that’s the way to go. Maybe if she’s the one walking away, I can get over this shit. These emotions that seem to steal every thought. Before I can decide, the door swings open and she walks in. Looking radiant in a black-and-white dress that stops at her knees. Her delicate feet in those flats she prefers over heels and her long blond waves are sleeked straight and hang down to the middle of her back.
“Good morning,” she greets, her gaze flitting between Gio and me.
“It’s our gorgeous girl.” My brother turns on the charm and I know he’s trying to irk me by doing it. Her blush is evident, but it’s her eyes that give her away. They’re pinned on mine. Questions dance in them, ones I can’t give her answers to, unless I want her even deeper in this shit than she already is.
Do I want that? Can I give her the secrets I hold dear to me? Will she forgive me if she finds out?
“I want you to set up a meeting today at three with your brother,” I inform her and she nods. My brother’s gaze snaps to mine. With one look, he asks me are you going to tell her? But I don’t answer. Instead, I turn to my computer and focus on work. Ordering more coke from our Colombian supplier, I hit send on the email and wait for the response I know will be immediate. Carlos doesn’t disappoint when he agrees to the price, the date of delivery, and the special request I’ve included.
Stepping into the room, I find Andrea sitting at the conference table. “Mr. Moretti.” He rises, offering a hand. I shake, but I can feel the anxiety pulsating off him. He knows why he’s here, but I won’t give away all my cards. He’ll need to work for them.
I know secrets about this asshole that can send him away for years. Perhaps even a lifetime. The door opens and his sister walks in with the tray that has the cafetière and cups. “Thank you, Raina. That will be all,” I murmur as she regards me with a smile. Her gaze flits to her brother, but she doesn’t award him with a greeting. Instead, she turns and walks out of the room.
“She seems happy here,” he remarks with a hint of frustration.
“Why wouldn’t she be?” Tipping my head to the side, I regard him quizzically. When he shakes his head, anger races through me. His lies will one day catch up to him, and when they do, I’ll be the one who will avenge Raina’s name.
“No reason. What can I do for you?”
“Russo.” The name falls easily with venom and his gaze darts to mine in surprise. The emotions this asshole tries to hide are written clearly on his face. He’ll never be one of us, as much as he’s tried.
“What about it?”
“It? Russo is the name of the man who is responsible for both our fathers’ deaths. Surely you know this?” Lifting the mug, I take a sip of the coffee, savoring the thick sludge. Caffeine races through my veins as I watch him squirm.
When Matteo brought the paperwork to me, I knew I had to do this. I had to see if this man was the snake we suspect him to be. As he sits in the chair, I can almost see him slithering through the responses.
No backbone.
No respect.
Just a piece of filth.
“I… There wasn’t any confirmation on who did it,” he mumbles, then meets my stare. “Your father was shot as well?” he questions, and I nod. “And you believe this… Russo person was responsible?”
I want to round this table and choke him. I want to grip his neck and slowly hear the choked breaths of the air draining from his lungs. The thought makes me smile. “Oh, I know he was, it’s a fact, not a suspicion. You see, Mr. Lombardi, I have connections everywhere. Both on the West Coast, as well as the East. Very dangerous men know about Cristiano Russo and they’re not happy with the way things have been playing out,” I speak clearly, but my voice is low, filled with a warning. I don’t mention who Cristiano is to me. I hardly ever acknowledge the bastard as family.
For Raina’s sake, I hope he tells me the truth and confesses. I’m doing this for her, so I don’t have to tell her about the man she’s grown up with as a brother. But he’s not smart. He’s far from it, in fact, because he doesn’t take the bait.