Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 106312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
An hour later, we’re on the outskirts of the city in a neighborhood I’m not familiar with. We stand in front of an abandoned club. There are a few people on the streets, and I don’t feel all that out of place wearing a simple outfit of tracksuit pants and a baggy sweatshirt.
And my gun.
Gosh, how I have missed my gun.
I still don’t say anything as Eli stares at the vacant building. I wait for him to… I’m not entirely sure yet.
“I want this to be the next hot spot,” he says with determination.
“What do you mean?” I ask, glancing around. This isn’t a popular area; in actuality, it’s considered a relatively bad area.
“I bought this building two years ago, and it’s just been sitting here. I want to change this neighborhood. I want to make it mine.”
“But your father already basically owns half the city,” I say. Crue Monti doesn’t physically own the businesses or property; he owns those who own the businesses and property, which is a much better position to be in.
“I don’t want to be compared to my father. I want to own everything. To prove to everyone that I am more than capable of adding to my family’s success.”
“That’s very ambitious of you,” I reply cautiously, still unsure as to why he brought us out here.
“I wanted to show you so you understand how important it is that I have a wife by my side who can handle the position and the risks involved.”
I angle my head toward him, trying my hardest not to roll my eyes. He’s laying it on thick tonight. But what he’s envisioning isn’t something that can happen. I’ve literally received the go-ahead for the hit, and it’s scheduled for two weeks before our wedding day. Which is so absurd.
“Eli, you were the one who made this a temporary agreement. Perhaps you should’ve chosen a real wife.”
“And an agreement can always be renegotiated. I won’t stand for my father threatening you. You have proved yourself in so many ways that you’re the perfect candidate for me.”
I scoff. “Why? Because I can fit your cock in my mouth?” I try to derail his intensity because I know there’s something off about him tonight, and I’m still not sure why he’s brought me here. I want him to come back to me like the Eli I know. He’s easier to keep at a distance that way.
But these things he’s saying, the way he’s talking about us having a real future, hurt too much to consider it as a possibility. I’ve denied myself that fantasy because it’s been the one thing that’s kept me alive all these years.
I want to believe him, but I can’t risk exposing myself and being discarded once again. I can’t take the risk of being humiliated by admitting what I’m feeling inside.
Love is not unconditional.
Nor is it nurturing or kind.
Love has only ever hurt me. My parents proved that to me. One left of their own free will, and the other died. It’s the only kind of love I know, and I refuse to think that someone like me will receive any other form of it.
Eli smirks expectantly as a car pulls up in front of us. “Took them long enough.” It’s an older car, and at first, I think nothing of it. That is until four huge men get out and walk directly toward us.
“Jewel?” Eli says charmingly.
“Hmmm?” I reply, not taking my eyes off the men.
“Look at me.” I do as he says and find him watching me, not them. “Feel free to kill anyone who touches you.”
Motherfucker set me up again for some Mr. and Mrs. Smith bullshit.
“Don’t you have men for this shit?” I ask with an insincere smile.
“We’re not on speaking terms at the moment, and killing with you is the most fun.”
I side-eye him, not entirely sure I should be flattered by that, considering how many times he’s now endangered my life, but I can’t ignore the spark of adrenaline it fills me with. It’s like he knows I can’t resist my impulsive, curious side that will most likely one day get me killed. In fact, I don’t know how it hasn’t already.
“Mr. Monti,” one says, his hand going to his jeans as he looks my way. “And who is this?” My smile slips as I look in his direction now. His front teeth are chipped and look like they could do with a good brushing, and he’s wearing a black shirt that has seen better days. The men who stand behind him are eyeing Eli as if he’s their favorite snack.
“Should I know you?” Eli asks, sounding bored.
The man chokes on a laugh. “I’d heard the little Monti had fangs, but you made the mistake of taking our business. And then you left it vacant for two years. Did you really think we’d let you get away with that? We’ve been waiting for the moment you’d step back in these parts so we could teach you a lesson.”