Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“That was the idea, sure, but it’s much different now.”
“I doubt that. Once the corruption’s there, you can’t get rid of it. Trust me, I’d know. I’m a mafia princess, remember? And anyway, Vegas was designed to suck money from anyone stupid enough to show up. There’s nothing progressive about that.”
“You have a pretty jaded view of my town. Have you been here before?”
“Well—”
“No, it’s okay. We won’t stay long.”
I turn to face him. “You’re really going to move back to Philly for a year?”
“That’s the plan, yes.”
“What about your business here? All your associates and your plans?”
“I have employees that can handle the day-to-day work on the ground.” He looks amused. “Are you worried about me?”
“Not in the slightest.” I turn away, crossing my arms. Hugging myself, really. Trying to find comfort where I can because I suspect there won’t be much around in the coming days and weeks. “Just curious, I guess.”
He’s silent for a little while and I think he’s forgotten about this conversation, but then he talks again. Quietly, like he’s speaking for his own benefit. “I fell in love with this place. It won’t ever be home like Philadelphia is, but Vegas was an escape. It’s unlike anywhere else in the world, a town designed around impermanence. It’s constantly changing, and in some weird way, that’s comforting to me. I don’t have to worry about getting stuck, because there’s nothing to get stuck in. Only a bunch of sand under the foundations, shifting around.”
“Sounds terrible and lonely.” I look at him, frowning now. Since when did Gian have a deep side? But I knew he had these thoughts in him, or at least he did for a single week a long time ago.
“It’s not so bad. Don’t worry, we won’t stay long. Nobody ever does.”
The SUV pulls into a driveway and winds up a path toward a megastructure, a long building with an ornate facade made to seem like a Greek temple. Huge columns line the front and palm trees pen the place in, making it feel isolated, like it’s the middle of a foreign jungle. Gian gets out first then gives me a hand, which I accept this time and wish I hadn’t. His fingers are strong and callused, and it sends a strange thrill into my core, touching him.
“I really didn’t think you’d show up.” A big man with a thick dirty-blond beard walks over, a vicious grin on his face. He’s wearing an expensive suit and two guards lurk behind him, big goons with earpieces and scowls.
“Erick,” Gian says, turning to greet him. They shake and give each other a quick pat on the back. “I really appreciate this.”
“What, lose the opportunity to host the wedding of the century? Not in your lifetime.” Erick turns to me and cocks his head. “This is the wife?”
“Fiancée,” I correct with a prim little smile. “Allegra Rinaldo.”
“Nice to meet you.” Erick shakes my hand and seems to appreciate my little joke. “Are you sure you want to do this? Marry a guy like Gian?”
“He’s kidding,” Gian says, frowning. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope, not even a little.” Erick’s smirk says otherwise. “Alright, come on, it’s hot as hell out here. I got you two a room already.”
“I want to help with setup,” Gian holds doors for me and pauses just inside the main entrance. A huge statue of a half-naked angel leaks water into a fountain glittering with coins. As if this place needs more money: the floors are marble and everything gleams.
“I put my best people on it,” Erick says, waving him away. “Hellie’s personally overseeing everything.”
“But I want to help,” Gian insists. “Allegra, do you mind? It should only take a little while.”
“What are you prepping for? I thought we were just saying some words in front of a judge.”
“You deserve better than that,” he says and for a second, I’m breathless from the intensity of the look he gives me.
At least until Erick laughs again. “Fucking hell, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone look so hungry before. Come on, Gian, if you really want to get in the way, be my guest.”
“Thank you.” He gives me one more long stare. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Fine. Totally fine.”
“By the way, should I send someone up with dresses? Not that you need one.”
“No, please,” I say quickly. “It’s okay. We’re not doing that kind of wedding.”
“Whatever you want.” Erick puts an arm around Gian’s shoulders. “Come on, let’s get to it. We shouldn’t keep your future wife waiting long.”
“I’ll come get you soon.” Gian stares at me as Erick steers him away. He looks back over his shoulder like he can’t take his eyes off me and I return the gaze, a chill running down into my guts.
This is really happening. I’m going to marry him in a couple hours, and it’s going to be the worst thing imaginable. Weeks, maybe months of pain and suffering, but in exchange I’ll get my entire life back.