Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“Wait, old friend? The father? So it was confirmed?”
“Yes. We look weak and our friends here are responding to what they think is a weakness. I can’t have that. I can’t come back Stateside yet, but this needs to be handled.”
“It’s my problem. I’ll deal with it,” Dante seethes. “I’ll leave in the morning. It will be handled. I’ll call Mitch to make sure he has a package waiting for me when I land.”
Chapter 35
Ducks in a Row
Gio
I sit in my car with Ny at my side, watching the back entrance of Anima Mias right as Dante pulls up.
“Why are we here?” Ny asks with that attitude of hers.
“I have a few balls I’ll be tossing in the air tonight. Kaling has to go. Dante’s temper will take care of that.
“Next, I need Dario to know what’s going on here in his absence.”
“Don’t you think this is her secret to tell?”
I shrug. “Maybe, but this move has its purpose. I know he’s going to be pissed at me and Jace, but I’ll deal with that later. For now, I need him to know Carleen is pregnant. With that information, I can guarantee his next move.”
I know the twins better than they know themselves. Dante won’t leave without telling his brother what he sees, and Dario isn’t going to allow his woman or his child to remain outside of his reach, not when their well-being is threatened. Which leads me to the third ball.
“Ever the puppet master,” Ny scoffs.
I chuckle, despite knowing it’s an insult. She’s still salty because she wasn’t able to run off. I need her here. My final selections have been made. My collection will soon be complete, and I need her to make that happen.
I continue, going back to my original train of thought. I’m not doing this to hurt Carleen or Dario. Every move I make has a purpose.
“Dario is to be named in an indictment, but it’s truly meant for his twin. I need to make this right for both twins. I could clear Dario easily, but that would put Dante in the hot seat.
“The mistaken identity was done on purpose if you ask me. Dario is the bigger fish, but I’m not allowing either of my brothers to go to jail.”
Ny turns to look at me with wide eyes. “How do you plan to pull this one off?”
“How do you blow a hole in a federal case? You remove all their evidence, witnesses, and any informants who are comfortably trying to nail you to the wall.” I wink.
You’re not going to rat on my brothers and think you’re going to live to tell the tale. The Thompsons have done their job well. I’ll handle the rest.
Maybe, just maybe, I’ll finally trigger Carleen to remember who she is while I’m at it. All the ducks are lining up. I can see them in the row I need them in.
Focusing back on the restaurant, I dial Jace as Dante disappears into the back door. He picks up on the second ring and grunts into the line.
“He just arrived. You know how he works. Give him time to do his thing. I’ll give you the call when he’s done. Just keep her in the kitchen. I need him to see her, not the other way around,” I say into the phone.
“This, I can do.”
I hang up, knowing he can’t say more because Carleen is right in front of him. My mind turns back to why I needed Nyla to remain here in the States.
My phone rings and I grin as the name of one of my new treasures appears. Yes, this one is ready.
“Hello,” I croon into the phone. Ny turns and narrows her eyes at me.
“Okay, I’ll do it.”
“I’ll send a car for you in an hour. Take nothing but the clothes on your back. I’ll provide everything else. Make sure you’re not seen when you leave.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. I’m dead if he sees me.”
“No, he is. You now belong to me. If he touches one hair on your head before you’re in my possession, he’ll pay with his life. One hour, the same place we met last.”
I hang up. Nyla shifts in her seat as her hot glare remains on me. I lick my lips as I drop my gaze to her long, sexy legs in the miniskirt she’s wearing.
Carleen
“This is so sweet of you,” I say to Jace as I get out the ingredients to make the cake he asked me to teach him to make for his Valentine.
However, I’d be lying if I said I’m not wondering who his Valentine is after watching him, Ny, and Gio in the gym the last time we were there sparring. I watched the three in the ring together in what I can only explain as a sensual dance.