Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 15173 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15173 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
As he rushes over toward the black SUV that just pulled up, I glance over his shoulder and get my first look at the desolate land around me. Ick. Trash and broken-down cars litter the vast property as far as the eye can see. Over on one side, there’s a little white shack. Well, I assume it used to be white at some point. Right now, the paint is peeling in so many spots, the building is mostly just rotted wood.
Several men lay sprawled across the unkempt yard while another group, all men I recognize from Dante’s organization, mill around. I’m pretty sure they’re looking for survivors. Before I’m able to think too hard about the situation, I tell myself to turn on my blinders and concentrate on getting back to Dante. I’ve already decided I want to be a part of his life, even if it means turning a blind eye to the unsavory part of his world.
Chapter
Nine
DANTE
I spend all morning feeling an unfamiliar tightness in my chest. I’m not sure what’s causing this sensation, but I instinctively know not to ignore it. When our daily security meeting comes to an end, Bruno rushes over. “You need to see this.”
He holds out his cell phone, and I take the device as dread slams into me. I glance down at the screen and look down at the message. What the fuck am I reading?
“Aaron and Logan were found dead in the hospital break room.” Motherfucker. I want to throw up as I read the information on the screen. This shit can’t be happening. My little beauty’s security detail is dead. Fear like I’ve never known cuts through me.
“Tell me she’s alive,” I beg as pain lances my body.
“Carlton and his crew are on the way to the hospital now.” Dmitri places his hand on my back. “Don’t worry. We’ll get her back.” I know we fucking will. There isn’t any other choice. I can’t live without my little beauty.
“I want her fucking found.” My roar echoes around the bar. Needing to maintain control, I push my emotions to the back of my mind and concentrate on fixing this situation. Once I’m sure my little beauty is safe, I can take care of business.
Whoever dared to touch Belle better find a big goddamn rock to hide under. Because I’m going to find him. And when I do, he’s going to die a painful fucking death.
“I think we have something.” Bruno rushes over and signals for us to follow him.
Dmitri and I follow him to the car idling in front of my house. “One of the cameras across the street from the hospital caught the license plate on the van her kidnapper used,” Bruno explains as we speed away from Silver Spoon Falls. “One of our friends in the FBI was able to get the manufacturer to trace its location using the onboard computer. The coordinates just came through.”
“Do you have eyes on her?” I need to know she’s okay.
“Not yet, but Carlton and Elliot are almost there.” Both of my men have been loyal to me and this organization for years. I have no doubt they’ll do whatever it takes to save my little beauty.
Uncomfortable silence fills the vehicle during the longest ride of my life. All I can think of is getting Belle back in my arms in one piece. Then I’m going to kill the piece of shit who did this, and I’m never letting my little beauty out of my sight again.
“Don’t worry.” Dmitri looks over at me and attempts to soothe my raging emotions. “We’ll get her back.”
“I know,” I growl, knowing there’s no other choice for me. I can’t imagine trying to live without her. “And I’m going to kill the dumb fuck who dared to touch my woman.”
“Mother…” Bruno stares at his phone for several seconds before glancing up. “You aren’t going to believe who has her.”
I grab his phone and stare at the message as shock rolls through me. This is more than personal. This is war. Leandro fucking Barone has no idea the shit he just stepped in. He approached us months ago, asking for help with his bar after the locals decided to run him and the new strip club out of town. He was on the verge of bankruptcy and offered us ownership stake in the bar in exchange for enough money to get his ass out of trouble. I only considered taking the deal because the bar makes the perfect location to run my organization discreetly.
Once the sale went through and we made peace with the town, the asshole decided he wasn’t happy with the terms of the transaction. I told him to fuck off since I’d kept my end of the bargain and he got rich off the sale. I knew Leandro was disgruntled, but I had no idea he was a fucking idiot.