Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 59804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
“Is that what you wanted to ask me earlier?” He finished his whiskey and set the glass back on the table. “If this was our end or just another beginning for us? Like a reset?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I have a bad feeling, and I can’t shake it.”
“It’s because your sister’s back, and you’re worried for her. Worry about yourself and your family, and let Santino worry about her, got it, man?”
I could barely nod.
He stood and started to walk away, then looked over his shoulder. “And the answer to your question is no, I don’t think this is the end. I think this is the closing of one chapter and getting ready for another. Every story has to end, Andrei, but that doesn’t mean we can’t write another right after.”
The door clicked shut behind him.
I stared down at the phone screen again and ground my teeth. I trusted Nixon with my life.
So I chose to believe him, even when my mind told me something wasn’t adding up.
I believed him.
I shouldn’t have.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“I’m not mad, I’m proud o’ you. You took your first pinch like a man, and you learned the two greatest things in life… never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut.” – Jimmy Conway
Santino
After asking another ten times, I was convinced that no movement was happening with the hits taken out on us by my brother, which was a relief because I honestly just wanted to lay down and put ice all over my body.
Everything hurt. Getting into the SUV had been a monumental feat. Katya was dressed in a pair of black sweatpants, her black ADIDAS flip-flops, and a white tank top. She had two bags packed though. Her hair was pulled back, and she was quiet the entire drive—nervous quiet, I could tell by her posture. It’s not like I could actually kiss her without wincing in pain, so she didn’t need to worry about the wedding night if we could even call it that.
Fucking Home Depot.
I wanted to blame her, but really, it was partially my fault, wasn’t it? I gave in, and now I was married. The only bright spot was that it wasn’t to my ex-fiancé, who was a monster in her own right.
We pulled up to Tex’s compound. The security at the gate was ridiculous. I halfway expected them to ask for my spleen and a retina scan.
Finally, after some heavy discussion, we were let through the giant black iron gates and transported to paradise.
His house was three stories, over twenty thousand square feet, had two tennis courts, and four pools, one that led inside the house and beneath it, then popped up out front near the fountains. Rumors swirled that he had a camel, but I wouldn’t believe it until I saw it.
The SUV brought us down the long driveway and to the main manor. The guest houses were for when politicians visited or wanted to rent the place out. It was bigger than most people’s houses.
Katya’s eyes bugged out of her head when we finally stopped in front of the main door, which was also an impressive fifteen feet tall. “Seriously? He lives here?”
“A king needs his castle, right?” I winced in pain; I definitely had a few broken ribs, and every time I moved or breathed, I wanted to scream.
“Are you okay?” She reached for me then jerked her hands away.
“Not even close,” I muttered a curse. “I probably have internal bleeding, but at least that’s over with. Let’s go relax. I have my eye on the most expensive bottle of liquor in his cabinet.”
His new butler was standing near the open door. “That would be around a hundred thousand dollar bottle of Scotch, sir.” He grinned. “Shall I take it out for you?”
I knew he’d hired someone new, but this guy sounded more Italian than me, impressive actually. He was younger with slicked-back black hair and a three-piece black silk suit. His earpiece was still in, and he looked more than capable for the job.
“Actually, yes, do that.” I looked back at the SUV. “And can you have someone bring our bags to our room?”
“Right away, Mr. Sinacore.”
Well, at least they’d warned the staff. I had to admit it would be nice to relax for once in a decade and not have to worry about anything other than healing and spending time getting to know my new wife.
Wife.
The word itself tasted weird.
Katya timidly followed me inside the house. She was like a little kid experiencing her first Christmas. She probably hadn’t seen this sort of wealth anytime in her entire life, not even when she was younger.
She did a small circle in the foyer. “It’s huge.”
“This is just the first floor,” I added. “Why don’t we get comfortable and just spend time in bed?”