Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Grabbing the remote from the couch, I glance at the TV screen and see Skylar busy making a dish that could easily be served in the best restaurants.
I press the button on the remote, and the screen goes black.
“The whole place smells of fucking popcorn,” I mutter.
“Want some?” Dario asks with a smirk.
“No.” I walk to the kitchen, and opening the bag of takeout I ordered earlier, I pull the burger and fries out and put it on a plate before warming it for a minute in the microwave.
“You need to eat healthier,” Dario complains as he opens the fridge to help himself to a can of soda. His eyes sweep over the contents of the fridge. “You’re going to die of a heart attack.”
“Considering all the ways I could die, I’ll take it,” I mutter to aggravate him.
He shoots me a scowl. “I can send Esmerelda over twice a week to cook for you.”
“Hell no. Keep your housekeeper to yourself.”
I remove the plate from the microwave and take a huge bite of the burger.
Dario looks at the junk food with disgust.
The man is my opposite in every way. It’s a fucking miracle we’re friends because the only thing we have in common is the Cosa Nostra.
Opening the can, he leans back against the island before taking a sip. He clears his throat, then asks, “Have you found out anything new?”
I shake my head. “We keep chasing a bunch of emails and phone numbers. It’s pissing me off.”
“Maybe it’s time to grab the doctor. He’ll definitely know something we can use.”
I nod while taking another bite, and only after I’ve swallowed do I say, “Yeah, I’m thinking the same thing.”
“And Davies and his daughter?”
“Same thing.” I take the can of soda from his hands and help myself to a couple of sips before passing it back to him. “I’ll have Carlos and Emilio bring them to the warehouse after I’ve cleared out the shipment of AKs for the Mexicans.”
“When is that happening?” he asks as he starts crunching on popcorn again.
“In three days.”
His eyes meet mine. “Are you really going to kill the woman?”
I stare at him for a solid minute. “Eventually.”
His eyebrows lift. “What does that mean?”
“I’m first going to torture them,” I answer as I put the empty plate in the sink before walking to the living room.
Dario plops down on one of the couches. “Torture? The woman as well?”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “Careful. It sounds like you have a hardon for Skylar Davies, brother.”
“Not by a long shot. I’m just thinking she might be innocent in this fucking mess.”
My eyes flick to his. “Innocent? You’re kidding, right? Giulio’s kidney is buried in her fucking body.”
Dario holds my stare as he says, “That’s her father’s doing, Renzo. She might not know where the kidney came from. Did you even think about that?”
I give him a look of warning. “I’m done talking about this.”
He lets out a heavy breath, then nods. “I just don’t want you doing something you’ll regret.”
“I fucking regret not protecting Giulio better, but I sure as fuck will not regret killing anyone involved in his death.”
Considering the conversation over, I walk to the stairs. “You can let yourself out.”
Dario darts up from the couch and grabs hold of my arm.
When I turn to face him, he says, “I’m sorry. The last thing I wanted was to upset you. I’m just looking out for you.”
I lock eyes with him, and seeing the worry on his face, I say, “It’s fine.”
“We’re good?”
I pat his shoulder. “We’re good. I’m heading to bed. Switch off the lights on your way out.”
“You’re not going to give the junk you just ate time to digest?”
I shake my head. “No. Goodnight, Dario.”
Walking to my bedroom, I sit down on the side of the bed and cover my face with my hands. I exhale a heavy breath as the grief and anger swirl in my chest.
Chapter 11
Skylar
A miracle happened today.
Dad finally let me go to the store on my own. It felt weird driving a car, but as I walk up and down the aisles, I feel empowered.
That’s until the eerie sensation I’ve been experiencing since I left the hospital ripples down my spine.
Shaking my head hard, I do my best to ignore it as I grab flour and baking powder from the shelf.
Unable to help myself, I glance over my shoulder, and for a split second, I catch sight of a man in a light brown suit.
Like an idiot, I stand frozen while staring at the end of the aisle.
I’m not insane, and there is no such thing as ghosts.
Fear tightens my stomach, and tearing my eyes away from the spot where I saw the man, I push the cart to the next aisle.
I keep glancing around me, and by the time I reach the fruit and vegetables, I’m second-guessing myself once again.