Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
“I think you mean ouzo, and it’s actually anise.”
“Whatever, who the fuck cares? It’s all Greek to me.” He cackles at his own joke and finishes off the drink before slamming the glass back down. “I gotta admit, I’m surprised you’re really real. I heard Luca brought the Florakis girl home with him but I thought that couldn’t be true. Luca’s a good kid, smart, hard worker, good earner, he’s not dumb enough to bring a fucking Greek bitch into our house.”
I grimace at the change in tone. He’s still smiling, but there’s an edge to it now.
“I’m sorry you think I’m just a Greek bitch.” I move sideways, away from the door, and try to keep him in view. My spine’s tingling with worry as he moves toward me, grinning the whole time like he’s friendly, but I know that look in his eye.
The smile is masking his rage.
“I wanted to tell you something. Listen close now, because it’s important. I had a son. A good boy, like Luca. Smart, capable. I brought him up in the life and he took to it like a fish to water. That boy cared about his Famiglia and he loved his people. And he fucking took care of them, too. He was the light of everyone’s life.” He hesitates, jaw working. “He died when some Greek fuck shot up a restaurant while he was out eating with his wife. The girl’s alive, thank Christ, since they got a little baby boy at home. Can you fucking imagine? Murdered while on a date with your girl? All while your little baby’s at home being watched by your cousin. It’s fucking evil, is what I say.”
“I’m sorry that happened,” I say, and don’t add, but you pieces of shit killed plenty of people in my family, too.
“You didn’t have nothing to do with it, I bet. You’re a good Greek bitch, aren’t you? You keep your mouth shut and let the men handle the real work. But let me tell you something, Florakis.” He stops a few feet from me, his grin so wide it’s stretching his mouth. “You’re in our house now. Your family is dead. Your father’s burning in hell with your two scumbag brothers, and your whole organization is on fire. We’re going to grind the other crime lords under our boots, just for fun, and we’ll save you for last.”
“Luca won’t let you,” I say, trembling, trying to think of a way to get out. He’s between me and the door now, and I doubt I could fight him off. There’s a pink flush to his skin, a sign of the alcohol taking over, and I’m easily fifty pounds lighter than him.
“Luca lost all credibility the second he walked through the door with you on his arm. Hear me now, you worthless Greek bitch. I’m going to kill everyone you ever met and then I’m going to kill you nice and slow. Might even fuck you first, just for fun. But I promise, I’ll make you bleed, and you’ll beg for me to end it quick, and I won’t, because I’ll be too busy thinking about my dead boy and my little grandson growing up without his father.”
The door kicks open and Luca comes into the room. He stands there, staring at Vinny, rage etched into every line of his body. Vinny winks at me and turns away, spreading his hands in greeting. “Luca, boy,” he says. “Just introducing myself to your wife here.”
“Why the fuck are you in my room, Dragonetti?”
“Like I said, visiting with your pretty wife. I wanted to wish her a long life and happiness and a hundred thousand babies. That’s too many fucking babies but it’s meant to be a blessing, you know what I mean?” Vinny laughs loudly and walks to the door. “We had a nice conversation, she’s very charming, you should be fucking proud to have her on your arm, Luca. Real proud, she’s a smart one.”
Luca stares at him and I’m too busy shaking to do anything but watch.
“Next time you talk to my wife without me present, I will break your pinky finger. Do it a second time, and I’ll cut it off.”
“Don’t be like that, Luca. Come on, you know how it is in this family, everyone’s friendly and curious.”
“Stay away.”
“All right, whatever you say, didn’t know you were all sensitive now.” Vinny steps out into the hall and disappears, and Luca slams the door shut with a snarl before turning to me.
“Why would you let him into the room?”
“I didn’t know—”
“That man is fucking dangerous. What did he say?”
“Nothing,” I say quickly, too quickly, because he doesn’t believe me.
He advances over. I back up into the wall and he stops, pinning me there, looming like a muscular thug. His eyes are hard and his jaw works.