Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Hawke chuckles. “Would you believe he never left his house after we returned him? The guy was terrified.”
“His father approached Rya Monti to get his son out of this situation,” Ford says before he downs half the glass in one mouthful. Interesting. Rya is the best criminal lawyer in New York, and my aunt. She has, in many ways, influenced Eli’s and my way of thinking, especially his, considering she’s his mother.
“Did she take the case?” I ask because I can imagine the hefty amount of money his father is willing to offer, but if she did take him on as a client, I might have to have a private discussion with her. If she even considers it, I’ll kill him myself before he can make bail.
“Nah. Eli explained the situation, and she’s trying to take fewer cases as she and Crue settle into this semi-retirement shit,” Hawke replies.
I roll my eyes at my aunt and uncle. I love them both dearly, but retirement doesn’t suit the busy mafia family. “Speaking of… Where is Eli?”
“Probably trying to get his wife pregnant. That’s all those two do these days.” Hawke rolls his eyes.
“I’ve walked in on them twice, and Eli had the audacity to bark orders at me as if I were the intruder when they’re fucking in public,” Ford says under his breath.
“You know peeping is a real kink, brother. I don’t judge you if that’s your thing. Just don’t do it with me. You’ll feel inadequate.” Hawke grins widely. He’s already pouring his second drink and then goes to top off mine and Ford’s glasses.
The door bursts open, and Billie barges in. I internally groan as she points her finger in my direction. Behind her is Hope, and I’m even more uncomfortable having Alek Ivanov’s daughter in one of my clubs. The notorious killer and black-market auctioneer is no doubt as protective of her as I am of my sister. But at least the twins are here, so they’ll get the lecture before me because they’re family.
“What the fuck did you do?” Billie demands with hands on her hips. “Trea asks me to go to the ball and then ghosts me, and one week later, he’s being imprisoned?!”
I try to hide my smirk. “Hello, Dutton’s little sister. It’s good to see you’re studying hard in your final year of college,” Hawke says.
“Don’t give me that shit!” she snaps as she strides over to Hawke and swipes the bottle from his hand, then takes a long swig. I sigh. She’s obviously in a mood. She drops onto the couch between the twins, and I know she’s done it intentionally because it pisses me off when she positions herself so closely to any male.
“Hey, mini tornado!” Hawke says, going to throw an arm over her shoulder. He pulls his arm back when I give him a deadly glare. He chuckles, knowing it will irritate me.
“Far worse than a little tornado,” Ford corrects.
Billie glares at him as Hope quietly takes a seat across from me. I’ve never been able to understand the star pupil much. Her sculptures are already renowned worldwide, and she is as much in the spotlight as her famed mother, Lena Love, who is a singer. And yet, there’s a quiet edge to her that reminds me very much of her father, Alek. And that makes her silently dangerous.
Unfortunately, she and my sister have been friends since they were kids. Hope is two years younger, though, with my sister’s immature mood swings, you would never know it.
“Oh, Ford, don’t tell me you’ve started growing a personality,” Billie bites back.
“Unless you brought him sweets, he isn’t going to bite back,” Hawke jokes, immediately redirecting her wrath to me.
“So what did you do to Trea, hmm?”
If only she knew. I don’t think I’d be her favorite if she knew I carve messages into the chests of people who try to become friendly with her. But it’s the role of a big brother. My father taught me to look after my family, which I take very seriously. He’s aware of my antics and doesn’t see anything wrong with them.
“I’m talking to you, Dutton! I’ll tell Mom!” she yells.
I see the corner of Ford’s lip curve up, and Hawke begins to laugh.
I place my drink down. “We’re past the point of ‘telling Mom.’ And do you think it’s so bad that I had a hand to play in exposing his dirty little secrets? Do you agree with what he was doing?”
Her shoulders sag, and the fight begins to leave her eyes. “No. He should be put behind bars for what he’s done, but that’s not the point, Dutton, and you know it. I’m a woman, not a child. You need to let me date like a normal person! Let me make my own mistakes and fall in love!”