Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Nate pulled his gun. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” He motioned with his gun. “Hands on the desk.”
Letting out a huff, Lawrence placed his hands where we could see them. “I have no idea why you’d barge in here like this. What is this about?”
“I’d like you to explain why you told the police that Stone was involved in the explosion at your property yesterday.”
“How did you—” He swallowed. “That was confidential information.”
“And yet… you did. So what’s your plan? Trying to move in on my business?”
“No. Absolutely not. I know better than that.”
Vanetti glanced my way, then back at him. “Could Serenity borrow that pen you’re holding?”
I stepped forward and held out my hand.
“I guess.” He shrugged before handing it to me.
“And that notepad, too?”
Picking it up, he gave it to me.
A couple of seconds later, I quickly wrote down what I’d picked up, tore off the paper, and handed it to Vanetti.
He read it, then folded the paper and put it in his pocket. “It looks like you’ve been trying to undermine my business for a while, now. It was you who paid someone to break into my safe. Was it your idea to kill Stone, too?”
“What? Absolutely not. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Right. Well… I have some news for you. Both Aubree and Johnny are dead. Your plans have failed.”
Lawrence’s eyes widened. “They’re dead?”
Vanetti nodded. “You have a lot to learn, Lawrence, but the most important thing you should know is to stay out of my way. I’ll give you a warning, and I’ll say it only once. If anything even remotely close to this ever happens again, you’ll pay a heavy price. Even if you survive, you’ll wish you were dead.”
Lawrence pursed his lips, then glanced away and nodded. “Fine. Are you done?”
Vanetti smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “For now, but you should know that I’m just getting started. You owe me. Expect to hear from me soon.”
With that, Vanetti turned toward the door. Ricky opened it and followed him out, Slater went next. Nate motioned for me to follow, and turned for a parting glance at Lawrence. “You tried to have me killed. I don’t care what Vanetti said, it’s not something I’m going to forget.”
Lawrence swallowed. “It wasn’t my idea. I swear.”
Nate nodded. “Maybe not, but I wouldn’t get too comfortable in this town if I were you. In fact, a change of scenery might be the best thing for your continued good health.”
If anything, Lawrence seemed more afraid of Nate than he had of Vanetti.
“I’ll be seeing you.” Nate stepped into the hall and pulled the door closed behind him.
As we followed the others out, I lifted a brow. “Damn, you’re scary.”
He tried not to grin. “Why, thank you.”
We congregated in the parking lot, and Vanetti rubbed his hands together. “That went well. Thanks for the tip, Serenity.”
“Of course.”
“While I’ve got you, there’s something I’d like you to consider. Now that I’ve seen what you can accomplish, I’d like to hire you on a permanent basis.”
My eyes widened. “Really?”
He smiled. “Yes. It could be on a job-by-job arrangement, if that’s best for your business, but I’m sure we can work something out. You can think about it first, if you need to.”
I glanced at Nate to gauge his response, and caught a flare of excitement in his eyes. Sending him a saucy grin, I turned to Vanetti. “I’d like that.”
“Wonderful.” Vanetti turned to Nate. “And Stone… take the rest of the day off. You deserve it.”
Vanetti grinned at both of us before turning to the car and getting inside with the others. As they drove off, Nate shook his head and handed me my helmet. “You’re sure you want to work for a mob boss?”
“Would you be okay with that?”
He chuckled. “Hmm… well it might mean I’d have to haul you around on my bike, and make sure you don’t get killed, but… I guess I’d be okay with it. There’s only one stipulation.”
“What’s that?”
“Keeping us both alive is your number one priority, so I expect you to touch me as much as possible to make sure that happens.”
I grinned up at him. “I think I can handle that.”
He caught me under my arms and pulled me against his chest. As he lowered me back down, his lips met mine in a searing kiss. “Ready to ride?”
“You know it.”