Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
I stepped into the kitchen and looked around, seeing all the produce that was still stocked. If my butler was on Bolton’s payroll, I didn’t understand why he hadn’t just poisoned me. Maybe because he couldn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t poison Astrid too.
My phone rang in my pocket, and I answered it. “Yes?”
“Yes?” Axel asked. “I marched through a sewer for you, and that’s how you talk to me?”
I smirked. “Didn’t check the phone before I answered. Trying to find something to eat.”
“Oh, gotcha. Too bad you don’t have a sexy little thing who knows her way around the kitchen like I do.”
“I’m sure Astrid can cook, but she’s knocked out cold right now.”
He purred. “Way to go, tiger.”
“How are things over there?”
“The same. Scarlett’s at work right now. Kids are with the nanny so Daddy can have his coffee.”
I opened the fridge and looked around, seeing the carton of eggs and all the ingredients I used for my shakes. I started to take everything out and pile it on the counter. “All quiet, then?”
“Yep.”
“How did you know about the tunnels?”
“Remember that project we did in primary school?” he asked. “We had to do a research project on modern-day history, so I picked the catacombs. My dad helped me with it. I called him, and he still had all my stuff, so he sent it over.”
“No, I don’t remember that. But I was a shithead.”
“Still are,” he said with a chuckle.
“Thanks for doing that, Axel.”
“It’s no problem.”
“I mean it. You’re the reason she’s still here.”
Axel didn’t say anything. “Then it’s a good thing we treat our relationship like an adulterous affair.”
“It seems that way.”
“I don’t know how anyone would figure out she was here, not after taking the tunnels. If Bolton did somehow suspect me, I doubt he does anymore.”
“I’ll take her to work today so he knows she’s with me again.”
“You think she should be going to work right now?”
“I’ll have her go today for appearances, but then that’ll be it until this is done.”
He gave a sigh. “Can’t wait for this shit to be over.”
“Me too.” I walked to the coffee machine and started my espresso.
“How’s the shoulder?”
“It’s fine. Don’t even notice it.”
“Okay, tough guy.”
I’d just taken a drink of my coffee when Astrid walked into the room, wearing one of my shirts as a blanket. “I’ll talk to you later, man.”
“Tell Astrid I said hi.” He hung up.
I put the phone on the counter before I walked over to her.
She smiled as she stepped into me, giving me a tight hug like I was her favorite teddy bear.
I squeezed her back and brushed a kiss to her hairline. “Want some coffee?”
“Sure.” She moved for my coffee cup. “I’ll take this one.” She gave me a playful smile before she leaned against the counter and took a drink.
I smiled before I turned back to the coffeemaker and made another espresso.
She watched me, drinking her coffee. “How’s Axel?”
“Good,” I said. “After breakfast, get ready. I’m taking you to the gallery.”
“The gallery?” she asked blankly. “I’m not going to work today.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“You aren’t going anywhere with those injuries—”
“I want Bolton to see us together, so he knows you aren’t anywhere else—like with Axel.”
Once she understood, she let the argument die. “Okay.”
“When this is done, we can have our fun, sweetheart.” I’d slept through the night, but I would have slept harder if I knew my enemies were in the dirt. Until he was dead and I could look at his corpse with my own eyes, I would always look over my shoulder.
“What’s your next plan?”
Honestly, I didn’t have one. “I don’t know. He must have changed locations by now.” I didn’t know how I would find him, not without a lead. He would wait me out and hit me when I least expected it. Every war in history spanned years, and this one was no different.
She drank her coffee and tried to mask her disappointment in silence. “Maybe you could use me as bait to draw him out—”
“I’ll figure this out, sweetheart.” I didn’t mean to snap at her, but I didn’t lose my brother’s remains and get shot just to use her as bait on a hook. “I always do.”
I left Astrid at home that night, protected by the walls of my fortress. The codes to the system had all been changed, and I had a security team stationed outside the property every hour of the day. The only way Bolton could get to Astrid was if he bombed the place—but he would kill her in the process.
I was at the Underground with Octavio and the guys, preparing our hit against the Brotherhood.
“We go in guns blazing,” Octavio said. “Hit the entire network and force them to give up Bolton.”
I wasn’t convinced anyone knew where he was. “And if no one talks?”