Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 616(@200wpm)___ 493(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
“Um, what makes you so sure Ava will say yes, Mr. Gianni Beneventi? I’m going to have to find out more about you, buddy,” I murmur to myself and yawn.
Gio
“At least she’s home,” Jace says as we pull into Dante’s courtyard.
“Yeah, for now.”
Jace parks and I go to step out of the car. The lights are on in the front of the house. Jace rounds the SUV and follows me. As we jog up the front steps, I pull out my key to the house to let us in.
We move through the foyer and head for the living area where the lights are shining. As soon as we step into the room, the scent of alcohol nearly blows me over. Dante is sprawled out on the couch, knocked out, snoring.
“Should we wake him?” Jace asks.
“No. Hand me that throw over there.”
I take the throw he hands me and toss it over Dante. He squints his eyes open, peering at me drunkenly. I run a hand over his hair and lean to kiss his forehead.
“Sleep. We’ll take care of this later.”
“What do I tell my daughter?” he slurs.
“We’ll figure that out later. Sleep.”
“This is my fault, Gio. Everything I touch turns to shit.”
I furrow my brows. I’ve always known Dante has blamed himself for our mother. However, I’m getting a glimpse now of how deep that damage runs.
“Bullshit. You have done great with Bella, and you’ve done amazing with the business. Both businesses. I’m not going to allow you to take on other people’s bullshit and mistakes.
“I’m going to snap you out of this shit once and for all. You’re your own man and you make shit happen. You got me?”
“Yeah, I got you.”
“Sleep this off. Call me if you need anything. I’ll inform the staff to watch over Bella for the day.”
“Thanks, Gio.”
I kiss his head again and turn to leave, shooting off a text to Dante’s house manager. Jace follows me out the way we came. Once outside, we climb back into the SUV. I’m bone tired, but I’m going to fix it all.
“Enough of me cleaning up this mess for him.”
“You’re talking about the list?”
“Yeah. He needs to find himself again. Car isn’t the only one sleeping. From here, every move is to remind him of who he is. That broken man in there isn’t my little brother, that’s not who he was raised to be.”
I could take care of all of this for Dante, but that would be babying him. What I need is for Dante to handle his shit so he remembers who he is. This has to be his moves, his way.
“And Lizzy?”
“She’s just the start. I’ve got him.”
My brain starts to move through all my pieces and the moves I need to make. I list my goals in order and by priority. I’ve started this snowball rolling and it will stop and land right on its mark when I’m done.
Jace nods and pulls off. I’ll give Dante some time to get himself together. A grin comes to my lips. Bethany Kurmar and her family would regret the day they decided to fuck with my brother and our family.
Chapter 28
My Loyalty
Nyla
I open my mouth as Gio holds a piece of pineapple up to my lips. I have one leg thrown across his waist and my head resting on his chest. I woke this morning nestled between two large, warm bodies.
After freshening up, we all ended up back in bed. The exhaustion is clear in Gio’s eyes. Jace looks just as tired. However, he seems content as his cheek rests on my butt and he palms my thigh as he runs his thumb back and forth over my skin.
“I need to go get my things from Dad’s,” I say after I chew and swallow.
“I need Jace with me. I have a friend I need to see. There are three cars downstairs. Take any that you like. Your car should be ready by Christmas,” Gio murmurs as he looks at me and runs his finger through my hair, then tucks a lock behind my ear.
“Ugh, Christmas. I still need to do my shopping,” I groan.
“Yeah, about that. I have a little gift of my own I want to give you.”
Jace chuckles and turns over on his back and lays his head on my ass. “I had a feeling you were going to do this. I’m for it. He gets out of line, I’m going to put one in his head.”
“Marone. You two are so fucking trigger-happy. It’s not time. I just want him to shit his pants knowing we’re coming. It’s time for a dose of reality,” Gio says smugly.
I gasp and sit up to look him in the eyes. “Riccardo. You want him to know I’m alive?” I shake my head. “Aww, G. You have a lot of faith in me. You really think you can put me in a room with him and I won’t kill him? Come on.”