Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
He takes another drag, tossing the butt onto the concrete and crushing it with the toe of his shoe. He blows out smoke and then pins me with a cold look. “I guess that makes you our primary target then. Pity… so much easier to send a message when we know you have someone to care about. I guess we’ll be seeing you next Tuesday.”
For a moment, I have no clue what he means about next Tuesday, but then I remember they said they would come back in one week. I had so thoroughly dismissed their demand as ludicrous, I never thought they would follow up. “Don’t bother. I won’t have that case.”
“We’ll still come by and have a talk. I’m sure we’ll be able to come to an understanding.”
The man starts to walk away but I stop him with my next question. “I don’t understand why your boss doesn’t get the equivalent of money from Lionel. He’s good for it.”
Kravitz turns back to me. “Yes, we know your father has plenty of money. Mr. Rafferty has plenty of that too. He has more than he knows what to do with. But he loves to collect things and that case of Shadow Reserve Barrel is what he wants. It’s what he was promised.”
I’m getting frustrated with how dim this guy is. “Again, my dad bet something he doesn’t own. It wasn’t his to wager.”
“Ownership doesn’t matter. Especially when you have the ability to produce it.”
Un-fucking-believable. “You better come at me with something more than threats.”
The man bobs his head. “Challenge accepted. See you Tuesday.”
I don’t say anything else and there’s no need for me to argue with him further. I watch as he melts into the darkness, briefly considering whether I should call the police. But I’m not even sure what I would say. Nothing criminal has been done at this point.
With a frustrated sigh, I pull out my phone and dial my mother. When she answers, I can tell she’s distressed. “Gabe, I’m so glad you called. A man just came to see your father. They went into his office to talk and when he left, I found Lionel bleeding. The man punched him several times.”
“Did they threaten you?” I ask.
“No, why would they? What’s going on? Your father won’t tell me anything.”
Typical. But I’m grateful he never shared with her his plan to murder Sylvie. At this point, given her utter devotion to the man, I’m not so sure she wouldn’t have gone along with it.
I decide to fill her in on the truth. “Your husband has apparently bet the 1921 Shadow Reserve case of bourbon in a game of high-stakes poker. He lost and now they want payment.”
My mother scoffs in that imperious tone that only she can seem to carry. “That’s ridiculous. Your father doesn’t play poker. It’s such a crass game.”
“No offense, Mother, but I’m realizing these days that you don’t really know the man at all. I’m sure you thought he would never try to kill Sylvie either.”
My mother gasps, outrage in her tone. “He did not do that and it’s a horrible accusation you’ve made.”
There’s no sense trying to talk sense into her. “Mother… I’m telling you that you have attached yourself to somebody who does not deserve your loyalty. If I were you, I would hire some protection. That man might come back and he might bring others with him.”
I don’t wait for her response but hang up, knowing I’ve done the only duty I’m required to do for her.
I step through the glass doors back into the exhibit hall lobby. The crowd is now pouring back in from Freedom Hall and the liquor booths are filling up. This gala will go on for several more hours, people getting drunk as only Kentuckians can do when free bourbon is being offered.
I scan the crowd for Kat, looking for that formfitting and sexy-as-hell dress she’s wearing. The kiss we shared was scorching and while I don’t like the fact that she had a physical effect on me, I’m absolutely triumphant that she felt the same. I saw it in her eyes. That woman was wound tight when my mouth lifted from hers and I wonder if I could get her into bed. Maybe nothing more than a hookup, but it would definitely take the edge off.
I don’t see her, but there are a ton of gorgeous women around. Some I know, some I don’t, any one of them I could have in my bed tonight.
Sadly… horrifically… I realize it’s only Kat I want. She’s not only the sexiest woman I have ever been with, we’re cemented by the connection we once shared. For that glorious year, she was mine, and I have to admit it was the happiest time of my life. Losing her was the lowest.