Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 85976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85976 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“Your father certainly isn’t Maddox’s biggest fan, but he wants you happy,” Matteo said. He was calmly checking drug sales numbers on his laptop while I was reading the same passage about our debtors and interest rates for the fourth time. My brain seemed foggy.
The door opened and Dad came back from the toilet.
“Anything?”
Dad raised his eyebrows.
“She’s worried because of White,” Matteo said.
Dad shook his head.
“What if something went wrong?” I asked for the hundredth time, even if I sounded like a broken record. I couldn’t focus on anything but my worry for Maddox. This was his first official mission, maybe that was why I was so nervous. I’d have to ask Mom, Gianna, and Aunt Lily how they managed to stay calm when their husbands were on a dangerous mission.
“During a mission, he won’t always have time to check his phone,” Matteo said with a hint of amusement, but Dad’s gaze reflected a hint of concern, which in turn, multiplied my own trepidation.
The roar of an engine made me perk up. I shoved up from the sofa, dropping the folder, and hurried outside, not waiting for anyone to catch up. My eyes widened when I spotted Maddox in the alley getting out of the van, covered in blood and dust and soil. He looked as if he’d dug himself out of his own grave.
I hurried over to him, trying not to appear like an over-worried girlfriend. I wasn’t sure how Mom could do this for decades, especially now that she had to worry about Dad and Amo. Maybe it got easier with time but right now I dreaded being left at home while Maddox risked his life again.
“The bikers got you bad,” I said worriedly.
Maddox kissed me fiercely before he shook his head, looking absolutely furious. “This wasn’t only the bikers. Your dad’s men tried to kill me and make it look as if it was the enemy.”
I tensed and withdrew a few inches from his embrace, hoping I’d heard him wrong. “What? Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure, unless it’s a secret Italian sign of love to shoot bullets at your allies.”
I swallowed hard. “Did you question them?”
“I did, at least the ones who survived. One’s dead. They say it was their plan and no one else was involved.”
“But you don’t believe them?”
Maddox’s face made it clear that he suspected someone else to be involved and I had a feeling he suspected my family.
“You and my family have been getting along better, right?”
“Your father tolerated me, and Amo and Matteo were okay to deal with…”
Maddox fell silent when Dad and Matteo joined us in the alley, his expression hardening.
“See, he’s in one piece,” Matteo said with a chuckle, motioning at Maddox. I grabbed Maddox’s arms and his lips twitched from pain but his eyes were only focused on Dad and Matteo.
“I guess that wasn’t the outcome you’d hoped for, right?” Maddox growled.
“What are you talking about?” Dad asked coldly. “And what happened to my men?”
“Two of them are tied up in the back of the van and one is dead.”
Dad stalked toward Maddox, looking murderous, and Maddox looked only too eager to get into a fight with him.
I wouldn’t allow those two hotheads to kill each other. If they couldn’t act like adults and actually talk to each other before attacking then I’d just have to be the one mediating between them.
I stepped between Maddox and my dad, my palms against either of their chests. They barely glanced my way, too busy killing each other with their eyes.
Matteo, too, had his hand on his gun, ready to intervene, and definitely not in Maddox’s favor.
“Was it you who killed one of my men?”
Maddox gave Dad a scary grin. He reminded me of a Rottweiler baring its teeth. “I did, and I would do it again if it was my life against theirs. Your men tried to put a fucking bullet in my head!”
Dad picked up his phone but didn’t cease the staring contest with Maddox. “I need you to pick up something for me. Right now.”
“Show me my men,” he then ordered Maddox.
“I want to be there when you talk to them. I won’t let you create lies behind my back.”
“You don’t order me around, White.”
“Dad,” I said firmly. “I need to talk to you alone. Now. Please.”
Dad began to shake his head, but I kept staring at him imploringly. The two bouncers of the Sphere appeared in the alley and Dad motioned at the car. “Pick up the load and bring them into one of the holding cells.”
Maddox clicked the car shut with the keys. “Nobody takes anyone away until I know if these three acted on your orders.”
I turned to him, touching his arm. “Let me talk to my father, all right?”
Maddox gave a reluctant nod. I turned to Dad. “Dad, please.”