Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Angry. The word was angry. “Unpack your things, Aldo.”
“You—you aren’t dismissing me?”
“Not tonight,” I said. “But if you ever do that again, your ass will be on the street.”
Theo joined me in the parlor, taking a seat in the armchair and firing up a cigar. He was always more interested in booze and smokes than he was in me. “I didn’t expect to hear from you for a while.”
“Trust me, your company is a great displeasure.”
He smirked, like this was all a fucking game. “Still mad at me about that Dante thing?”
I gave him a scowl, feeling burning hatred for a man I once trusted. “What gave me away?”
“You know I had your best interests at heart.”
“You deceived me.”
“But it was for your own good.”
“And what good did it do me?” I snapped.
He took his time pulling smoke into his mouth and releasing it from between his lips. “I don’t like this new Axel. He’s bitter like an old man who looks back on his life with regret. Even when you got out of prison, you weren’t this bitter.”
“Don’t ever pull that shit again.”
“Scarlett wants you. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”
“Under very different circumstances.”
“We don’t get to choose circumstances, asshole. We take what we get, roll with the punches. You know this.”
I slouched in the chair. “I don’t want to talk about her.”
“Then why am I here?”
“Because I have more important shit to say.” I stabbed the cigar into the ashtray, even though I’d just lit it a few minutes ago. “Dante is about to cross us.”
He let the cigar rest between his fingertips, the smoke rising to the ceiling. There was little change to his expression, but it was clear he’d turned angry. “Is that so?”
“Scarlett overheard him talking to some French guy. He’s already promised the Colombians a higher fee to work with him instead of us. And then this French asshole is supposed to take us out. They partner together and use all the arrangements you’ve already settled.”
“And he thinks the Skull Kings would just allow this?” he asked incredulously.
“That’s all the information Scarlett gave me. She left shortly afterward so she wouldn’t be caught.”
His eyes shifted away as he brought the cigar to his lips, pulling in the smoke as his mind became heavy with his thoughts. His eyes went still, and he considered this treason in silence. “What was Scarlett’s reaction to this?” His eyes flicked back to mine.
“She finally believes me.”
“Then you got what you wanted in the end.”
I looked at the fire again. “Not really.”
He gave a quiet sigh. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“She left me.”
“It’s not like she fucked another dick.” He shook his head. “You love this woman, so why are you acting like a fucking lunatic—”
“Because I’m pissed off. That man ruined my life, and she took his side over mine.”
“She didn’t take sides—”
“She left, didn’t she?” I snapped. “I gave her an ultimatum—she made her decision. She has to live with it now.”
Theo studied me across the coffee table, judgment in his eyes. “Axel, let it go.”
“No.”
“I get you’re pissed off, but this stubbornness will lead you down a dangerous road.”
I shook my head. “I’m done.” I crossed my arms over my chest and rested my ankle on the opposite knee. “I’m tired of bending over backward for that woman. I’m tired of busting my ass to be with her when she’s never busted her ass for me. She has the divorce papers. All she has to do is sign them, and it’s done.”
Theo went quiet, and he was quiet for so long it seemed like he had nothing more to say.
I’d finally taken off my wedding ring. It was stashed in my nightstand drawer. I was tired of people staring at it and assuming it meant something when it meant nothing at all. I continued to look at my brother and waited for him to say something, to tell me I was an idiot, that I was making the biggest mistake of my life.
“So, you’re certain?” Acceptance was in his voice.
“Yes.” The conversation finally came to an end. I’d no longer have to defend myself.
“Then you wouldn’t have a problem if I asked her out.”
I felt all the muscles in my body stiffen simultaneously. A rock dropped into my stomach, and a cloud of dread suddenly blocked the sun. With narrowed eyes and a guarded stare, I regarded Theo with a subdued rage. “What the fuck did you just say?”
“You just said you were certain—”
“So your first instinct is to ask her out?”
“We both know she won’t be single for long.”
“Asshole, I know what you’re doing. You’re so full of it.”
He took another puff of the cigar, let it absorb onto the surface of his tongue for the taste, and then released it. “What am I doing?”