Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“No, should I?”
“The bigger one, the older one, that’s Elio Marino. The other one is his brother, Luca. You’ve heard of the Marinos, right?”
I shake my head. “Should I have?”
“The Marino Crime Family? You’ve really never heard of them?”
“They’re a crime family? What, like the mafia?”
“Not like the mafia,” she says. “They are the mafia. I thought I should give you a heads-up, just in case of… Well, I’m not sure what. Just be aware, okay?”
Elio Marino… I repeat his name in my mind, and then cogs start turning in my thoughts. Maybe I imagined the protective tone in his voice and the steamy, kind way he was looking at me, but it’s worth a shot, isn’t it?
Before returning to the restaurant, I quickly scribble a note on the order pad. A vicious voice whispers that this is a mistake, just as misguided as Dad’s get-rich-quick schemes. However, my world is one of complete chaos right now. Maybe, just maybe, this can bring some order. What’s the worst that can happen? It’s better than doing nothing and feeling helpless.
With the note tucked in my pants pocket, I get ready. When my chance comes, I’ll have to seize it.
CHAPTER 4
Elio
“You really aren’t going to take a drink with me, friend?” Russel says, then knocks back another glass of whiskey. I’ve never been the sort of person to count another man’s drinks, but he’s already wasted.
I can feel Luca getting tense beside me. Russel has asked if I’m going to have a drink three times now. “My brother isn’t much of a drinker,” Luca says. “But don’t worry. You’re not going to outdrink me.”
Russel grins, his lips wet, his eyes wet. I can’t believe Dad would ever do business with somebody this unprofessional. People can say what they want about the mob, but our Family has better standards than this. At least, we did.
“I’d be interested to hear about your income streams,” I tell Russel.
He scowls, toying with his steak knife. From across the restaurant, I spot a few of our men looking over, maybe getting ready for a fight. I normally try to avoid violence. Obviously, I’m capable of it, but there are usually better routes. Here, though, with this asshole, I almost welcome it.
“I thought we were here to sort out the stadium project,” Russel says.
“I like to know who I’m in business with,” I tell him. “It’s a reasonable question.”
Russel sighs and pushes his chair back. “I need to use the little boy’s room. Do you mind?”
Before I can reply, he stands and abruptly walks away.
“He walks like a junkie,” I say. “Look at him twitching.”
“Careful,” Luca replies. “We need him.”
“Need him?” I growl.
“He’s got an in with the stadium.”
“Then we’ll do this the old way. Gather all these Shank assholes up and persuade them to give us the in instead.”
“I’m not sure Dad would approve of that.” Luca stands. “I need to use the toilet, too.”
“Feel free to fuck that lowlife up while you’re in there.”
“Bro,” Luca says, giving me a look.
I massage my forehead. I’m getting a headache. It’s the meeting, the noise, but mostly, it’s the fact Scarlet has been walking back and forth between tables this entire time. With those hips moving, her cheeks red, and I can only sit here and pretend not to see, not to care. When she approaches our table, my balls swell, and my shaft aches.
“Are you done with your plates?” she asks.
I nod, finding it difficult to speak. Being this close to her without dragging her into my lap is tough.
As she clears away, she leans over the table near me. Her skirt rises just a little, showing more of her thick, tempting legs, juicy in the tights. My hand trembles with the effort of not grabbing her leg, sliding up, pushing against her pussy, and feeling her wetness.
She turns away, carrying the plates and leaving a note behind. I pick it up and read it. Savage instincts roar inside of me.
I’m so sorry, Mr. Marino. I don’t want to impose, but my dad has gotten into $40,000 of debt with a loan shark. Last night, he got physical with me and threatened me. I wouldn’t be doing this unless I was hopeless. If you can help…
She left a phone number at the bottom of the note.
The savage sense of possession inside of me tries to send me surging to my feet. I’ll find the bastard who threatened my woman—who got physical with her—and I’ll make the prick pay. Just the idea of somebody getting physical with my woman is enough to turn me into a wild, violent animal. The thought of them hurting her…
I take out my cell phone and type her number in. I should probably wait until this meeting ends, but I must know. It hurts just thinking about this. It hasn’t even been an hour since I first saw Scarlet or learned her name, yet I’m still ready to go to war for her.