Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I’ll be dead. That’s how it goes in this world.
It’s possible I can escape before it goes down. I’ll hold on to that hope, but it won’t drive me.
Revenge for Papa will keep me going.
I don’t care that I loved it when Jayson called me his good girl. When he licked my nipples and fucked me with his fingers and made me come with ease. I don’t care about anything but staying alive long enough to bring him down.
That’s all I am and all I can ever be now that I’ve married a monster.
Chapter 12
Jayson
Adler’s office is too warm as a fire crackles in the hearth. I’m tempted to stomp it out, but that would only annoy him. Instead, I pour myself a drink as he finishes up a conversation with one of the local capos about some zoning issues they’re running up against in trying to get a new restaurant built.
“Why not have your little congressional spy deal with that?” I ask him, taking a seat in front of his desk.
“Because Tony Vetch is only used in emergencies. This is beneath his influence.”
I wave that off. “Come on, what’s the point of having him in our pocket if we’re not putting him to use? It’s like having a Ferrari in the garage, but only ever driving the Nissan.”
“Vetch is not a Ferrari.” Adler’s lips press together. “At best, he’s a fancy Tesla. At best.”
“You get what I’m saying.”
“This zoning thing will clear itself up. We have legitimate lawyers for this sort of business, and getting Vetch involved is a risk. Besides, we’re on much better terms now than we used to be, and I don’t want to risk screwing that relationship up again.”
“Amazing how things change. Now the two of you are best friends.”
He gives me a hard look. “I am not friends with that man, but we do have a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
“Right, you give him money and political capital, and he gives you protection and influence.”
“A very good relationship, like I said.”
I lean back, grinning at my brother. I’m not sure the man’s had any kind of human connection that didn’t involve some sort of transaction beyond his wife and children. Even I feel like all he wants is my hard work and my dedication to the family, and it doesn’t matter what I want for myself. So long as the transaction makes sense.
But that’s when I’m being uncharitable. For the most part, Adler’s a good Don. He’s fair, hard when he needs to be, decisive and hardworking. He cares about the family, and not just about the prestige of the Costa name, but about all the people who he employs. From car-washers to cooks to dealers to Capos. He takes care of them all, and sometimes the burden gets to him.
“Okay, big brother, I didn’t come here to chat about Vetch. I’m here to talk about my future.”
Adler cocks his head. “I thought we already dealt with your future.”
“Yes, my wife, but I mean what happens next?”
“Well, you put children in her. I believe you know how that works.”
“I watched a movie in gym class twenty-five years ago. I’m pretty sure I can figure it out.”
Adler laughs and cracks his neck with a sigh. “That’s all I want you to focus on for now.”
I take a sip of whiskey and linger on my glass for a moment. It’d be nice to do nothing but think about fucking Fallon for a while, try to forget about what happened in London, but that would be impossible. I’m not sure even my wife’s beautiful lips can make me forget, and even if they could, I don’t want to.
There’s too much pain, too much loss.
“I want to go home.” I lower my glass, meeting my brother’s gaze. I can’t tell if I’m speaking to the Don or to my sibling. “I’m sure Fallon wouldn’t mind.”
“Home? Back to London?”
“Yes, back to my house and my life. Back to managing the family’s interests abroad.”
Adler leans back. He doesn’t immediately tell me to get on a plane, which is concerning. I assumed that I’d marry the girl, we’d spend a few days hanging around the Sunrise until she got acclimated to being my spouse, then I’d take her back to my London home, the place where I’ve lived for the past decade.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I sit very still. My heart’s beating quickly, and I steady myself. “Why not?” I ask, keeping my voice as neutral as I can. There’s no reason to escalate. Not yet.
“Things overseas are still problematic.” He hesitates and looks away. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go back there just yet.”
“My life is in London.”
“Your life is here with the family. Fallon needs more time to get used to her new reality, and it’ll be good for her to be around Casey and my kids. Isabel and Hellie are leaving soon, but they’ll be here for another week or so.”