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)
I smile to myself as I think of the way Gio worked my body. I noticed at the end, he became gentle and tender. I’m liking this new side of him.
“Hello,” I murmur into the phone.
“H…hi. This is Blake. I’m looking for…um…Nyla.”
I sit up in bed. “Hey, honey. You okay?”
She sniffles. “No. It’s a lot worse than Toni said. Yes, he hits me, but he’s gotten us into so much debt.
“Not just the bills. Some guys cornered me about some money he owes. They’re going to kill me if he doesn’t pay and he doesn’t seem to give a shit.
“I’m not dying for him. Please, can you help me? I’m willing to learn. Sis, I’ve had such a hard fucking life. I just want a break. I want to breathe. Please.”
“I’m going to give you an address. Meet us there when I text you next. We’ll explain how it works and then you can decide. For now, I saw that bag of yours. It’s big enough for this. Find a brick or something with some weight. Start to carry it around in that bag. If someone fucks with you, you keep swinging until they’re dazed or knocked out, and you run. Then you call me.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
“Thank me when I teach you to blow that motherfucker’s head off his shoulders from a rooftop.”
“I wish,” she murmurs.
“Good thing I have the power to grant wishes. We’ll talk soon, love. It’s going to be fine.”
Chapter 37
A Deal Is a Deal
Jace
“You look handsome,” Ny says as she comes up behind me as I stand looking in the mirror.
“Thanks.”
“Let me help you with that.” She reaches for the tie around my neck and starts to tie it.
“You sure you want to skip this? Gio said more than once you could come along.”
“Nope, I’m good. I’m going to spend the night in. Maybe do some gaming.”
“I don’t think we’ll be long. Gio needs to ensure Talon and Dario meet up and then we’ll head back.”
“I’ll be here. You just keep him out of trouble.”
I brush my fingers across her forehead. “Always. How are you feeling?”
“Tired. That had to be like thirty vials of blood they took. The hysterosalpingogram has been the worst part so far.”
“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
“I just want snuggles and kisses. G promised you guys would give me my fill when you return.”
I tug her into me and wrap my arms around her. Dipping my head, I take her lips. She moans into my mouth as I pry her mouth open and dive in.
When we break the kiss, I place my forehead to hers. “Will that hold you over?”
“Um, maybe. Let’s try that one more time. I think that will do the trick.”
I laugh but kiss her again. I feel when Gio steps into the room. I break the kiss and look up.
He moves into the room and kisses the top of Ny’s head before gesturing to me that it’s time to go. Ny places a hand on each of our backs as we walk out, only dropping her hands as we move out of reach. I look over my shoulder and smile at her.
She looks tired. I wish I could do some of this for her, but it’s going to be worth it in the end. I push my thoughts aside and grab my coat as Gio tugs on his.
“I need you to talk to the lawyer. When Dario asks about the indictment, he’s to tell him nothing. He can’t dig up anything and he has no details. Nothing,” Gio says as we enter the elevator.
“I’m calling in a Dollhouse payment?”
“Yes, we did him a favor last year.”
I nod, remembering the favor well. With my assignment for the night, I pull out the keys to the SUV as we reach the lot.
“This night needs to go by fast. She looks so tired. I hate we’re leaving,” Gio murmurs absently as I start the car.
“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.”
He sighs. “Andiamo.”
Gio
“Looks like our friend is getting the job done,” I say to Jace as I point my glass toward Dario and a group of Carleen’s uncles.
“Good. I’ll find Hammerstein and pull his ear.”
I turn my head just as my grandfather enters the party. I wasn’t expecting him here, but this will work in my favor to get Dario to carry his ass to Sicily where Nonno has been staying.
Jace pats my shoulder before he walks off. Nonno stops before me and kisses both my cheeks. I give him a smile and return the gesture.
“How you doing, Nonno?”
“I’ll be better with a drink in my hand. I’ve been in America for almost two months and I’m just laying eyes on you. Yet I see your hand in so much I’ve been witness to. I have taught you well.”
“Tell me, what don’t I know, Michelangelo?”