Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“That’s enough, Clay,” I say, then take a sip of tea, becoming far too carried away by my desperate need to get off. “Both of you, leave the room.”
They curtly nod, and I watch as their burly figures leave. I walk over to the side table and place my tea down as I open my phone and look at the image of my brother and me when we were kids. I call the most recent number—Alek’s.
It rings.
And it rings.
Until it hits voicemail.
I sigh before the avalanche of pent-up rage releases. “Alek? Where the fuck are you? I’m going crazy here. And more than my usual crazy self. Do you know what shit you’ve left me in? River is basically blackmailing me to fill your shoes and pay the debt you left. I either let him buy in and permit him to do business or I kill him. And if I kill him, I’ll probably get myself into more trouble. Besides, killing is usually your job.
“Where the fuck are you? I can’t stand this man. All he wants to do is own me! Like every other fucking man in this world. But this one has a serious screw loose.” I let out a deranged laugh as I look at Alek’s empty bed. The absence of him growing larger and larger.
There isn’t meant to be a world without Alek in it. We were always in this together. I always had him to depend on. He was the only person I had to talk to.
And now he’s gone.
“Alek, what the fuck is happening? Do you need me to help? I can help! You know I can do anything. Just fucking call me back! And I’m tired! Hurry the fuck up and get back home!”
I hang up, but as quickly as the anger built, it washes away into something else. I feel empty. Alone. Isolated. Just like when we went through foster care, I’m unable to control my fate or reality. But at least I had Alek. We had each other.
Something wet runs down my cheek. Shocked, I put my finger on it. I’m in disbelief, so I turn to face the mirror near the side table. A tear. Me? Crying?
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I say to myself. “Fuck no. We are not doing this.” I wipe it away defiantly. I can’t remember crying since… since we found out about our parents abandoning us. I was quick to learn no one liked a crying child. Or a crying adult.
My phone buzzes, and I unlock it, rolling my shoulders back and forth, certain I have a knot in there.
Fuckface: Tanya, good news. I have a business meeting. Be ready at seven for our date.
I blow out a hot breath. This motherfucker. I press against my temples, reminding myself repeatedly that murdering him will come with consequences.
But when have I ever cared for about that before?
CHAPTER 16
Anya
Why he wants me to go with him and meet with his clients is beyond me. Considering the circumstances, I really have no choice but to play by his rules until I figure out how to take control of the board. I’ll do a lot of things for money, but I’m not grateful to Alek for fucking me over on this one.
Alek is still withdrawing funds from our account, and the motherfucker is doing nothing to replenish it. Mind you, a lot of the money sitting in there is his by right.
I don’t care that he’s taking money. I just need answers. I need to understand what’s happening and why.
Even if I’m due to meet River for a business deal, I never said I was going to make it easy for him. Fortunately for him, I’m well known for my smashing personality.
Getting dressed in my tightest red dress with a slit up my leg and no bra, I apply my red lipstick and slide my hand over my hair to make sure not one hair is out of place. I consider my jewelry carefully. What do I feel like today? I reach for the black pearls.
“Are you ready, miss?” Vance asks as I slip my designer heels on.
“As ready as always for fuckery,” I say.
“Shouldn’t you eat first?” Clay suggests.
I give him a wry look. “I thought I hired you to fuck and take a bullet for me. Not to become my nanny.”
He says nothing and takes his place behind me with Vance. But now that he mentions it, I realize I can’t remember the last time I ate. Perhaps yesterday? Maybe that’s why my mood has soured immensely.
“But perhaps something small when we return won’t hurt,” I say. From the corner of my eye, I can tell he’s trying not to smirk. Idiot.
When we step out onto the patio, I feel my top lip curl up into a snarl.