Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 40037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
More images of the men showed.
Tomasso spoke, “The Board of Directors consist of thirty men. And the Board is divided into two branches—Shareholders and Executives.”
I scowled at Tomasso. “And will I be tested on this information later?”
“You will. However, the tests will be you being able to navigate the Killer Crows and gain control.”
“Hmmm.” I smiled. “So, I will get to kill somebody?”
“Perhaps.” Tomasso snapped his fingers at Knight and another picture with half the men showed. “The Board has fifteen shareholders. They preside from jails and prisons. Their ages range between twenties to forties.”
“Men that got caught by the police and never snitched.”
“Exactly.”
I smiled. “This is similar to the DeLuca Family.”
“That is why Don Enzo admires them. He thought the Killer Crows would be the best crew to intercept, unite with, and slowly unravel the Syndicate’s control over the city.”
“Okay.” I rubbed my fingers together. “Tell me more.”
“For the Shareholder’s continued loyalty, the Killer Crows make sure they are as comfortable as possible while they serve their time in jail.”
“And their families are also supported?”
“Exactly. Their families are taken care of with monthly checks.”
“Exactly like our family.”
Tomasso snapped his fingers.
A new image showed of the other half of the men.
“There are fifteen Executives,” Tomasso said. “These men live in and around Paradise city.”
I took in all of their faces.
“Most of them are in their fifties and sixties. However, some fall in their seventies and eighties.”
“How does one become an Executive?”
“They are men who retired from the streets with worthy badges of respect.”
“Alright, Tomasso. We have thirty men as the Board of Directors for this gang, and a young, beautiful woman named Kashmere as the Chairman.” I leaned my head to the side. “However, who really rules the Killer Crows?”
“That is one of your first duties.”
“Don Enzo wants me to discover the true power structure of the Killer Crows.”
“Correct.”
“And the second duty?”
Tomasso cleared his throat. “Well. . .the Killer Crows are a very secretive crew. They have a huge mistrust for anyone that doesn’t represent them. Therefore, getting information about them is extremely difficult and—”
“Get on with it.” I sneered.
He shook his head. “In order for us to get close to the Killer Crows, Don Enzo has set up a. . .grand scheme.”
“Which is?”
“A marriage.”
I leaned my head to the side. “Who’s marriage?”
Tomasso mumbled, “Yours.”
I widened my eyes and then looked at Leonardo.
My guard laughed.
I joined him. Surely, the rambunctious sound of my laughter flew out the window and rippled through the entire city.
Marriage? Surely, he isn’t serious.
Tomasso didn’t smile or show any hint of humor.
Knight fiddled with his fingers.
Wait a minute.
I stopped laughing. “Let’s be serious.”
Tomasso shrugged. “I’m being serious.”
“What does the Don really expect of me? Who do I kill?”
“You don’t kill anyone yet, Santino?” Tomasso held his hands in front of him. “You’re to get close to Kashmere by marrying her and hopefully gaining her confidence. After a year or two of gathering information—”
“A year or two of marriage?!” I rose from the couch and looked back at Leonardo. “Is he serious? Should someone check if he’s high?”
“I know, Santino.” Tomasso held an expression of disbelief. “I was shocked by this too. Of all people you were the last person I thought I would be planning a wedding for this year.”
I spoke through clenched teeth, “I am not getting married.”
Tomasso raised his hands in the air. “This is between you and the Don. I am only following orders.”
“Marriage?” I hated the word on my tongue. “She’s beautiful, but I won’t be marrying anyone.”
Tomasso lowered his hands and shrugged. “The Don wants you married this week.”
“This week!”
“Actually. . .in a two days.”
Stunned, I froze in horror.
Tomasso snapped his fingers. The earlier image of Kashmere Jones reappeared. Tomasso gestured to it. “This is now Mrs. Santino DeLuca.”
My wife? I’ll kill her before she can walk down the aisle. Don Enzo just won’t know.
Tomasso continued briefing me on the Killer Crows and Paradise city.
The whole time he did, I imagined myself ending my future wife’s life. I could wrap my fingers around her neck and squeeze out her breath. I would just need it to look like an accident, nothing to obvious.
I will not be trapped to anyone.
Tomasso continued, “Your positioning yourself next to Kashmere will help Don Enzo slowly bring our soldiers to the area without the Syndicate being alarmed. . .”
In my head, I murdered Kashmere in various way. I shot her in the head with my gun.
No. Don Enzo will know it’s me.
I changed the weapon to a hammer. I mentally slammed the weapon through her forehead, cracked her skull, and smashed the front of her brains.
Instantly, I saw Don Enzo frowning and shaking his head.
That way won’t work either.
I shifted my weapon back to my hands. I could see my fingers wrapped around her slender neck. I could feel myself choking the last breath out of her.