Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98583 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98583 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“Three percent,” he says, jaw tight and eyes sharp. “Two for the fund. One straight into my pocket.”
I almost laugh. The audacity of this man. But I appreciate pragmatism, and in the long run, three percent is a tiny price to pay if it means getting enormous sums of spendable cash in return.
“You drive a hard bargain.” I shake his hand tightly. “I need you to keep an ear to the ground for me. I’m sure you’ve heard rumors about what happened at the wedding.”
“People are talking about it,” he agrees, sitting heavily at his desk. “They’re saying you’re dangerous.”
“They’re probably right.”
“You have people spooked. Cops are swarming all over too.”
“We can handle the PPD and the district attorney. They won’t link the bombing to us.”
“You sure about that?”
“Positive.”
Luca’s phone starts to ring. He answers it quietly and glances over. “Adriano, it’s Vittorio.”
I check my watch. A little past noon. “Took him long enough.”
“He’s got our packages. Two of them. Though one’s not doing well.”
“We’ll meet him back at the house shortly.”
Luca relays my message and hangs up.
I face Pierre. He seems wary but less stressed. The poor idiot must’ve been afraid that I’d fire him and take control of the fund myself.
But why would I want to do that when I could keep him here as a fall man, just in case?
“You’re my man in here now, Pierre. Do you understand me?”
“I understand you.”
“Good.” I turn away. “Fire half your staff.”
“Wait, what?” His mouth drops open like a gasping fish.
“There are too many traders. From here on out, you’re running a lean, profitable business.”
“I can’t just fire them. Those guys have wives, they have kids—”
“And they’ll find some other fund to fleece. Fire half of them.”
I leave his office. Luca keeps pace, looking thoroughly pleased.
“Looks like we’re coming up in the world,” he says.
“We’re getting there.” I pause by the elevators. The distraught secretary is back at her desk, looking like she needs a stiff drink. “When we get back, you and six other men are on Lucy detail. I want you to escort her back to her house so she can pack her things.”
“You don’t need help in the basement?”
“No, I don’t.” I step into the elevator when it arrives. “I’m very much looking forward to getting my hands dirty.”
Chapter 14
Lucy
“We’ll be out here if you need anything.” Luca gives me a big, twisted smile. The other guards are all rough-looking and miserable, but at least he seems alright.
“Thanks for the ride, but really, you don’t need to stay.”
“Boss’s orders.” Luca leans back against the fence and gives a hard look at the sidewalk. “Let me know if you need a hand.”
“Sure,” I murmur as I head into my childhood home.
For maybe the last time.
It feels strange stepping in through the side entrance. I was here just a day ago, and nothing is different. But now, I’m Adriano’s wife, and I live in the Marino Mansion on the other side of the city. My standard of living hasn’t changed—if anything, it’s gotten better—except it’s like an entirely different world there.
This place is stuffy. It’s dark and quiet. It reeks of old privilege, long unearned at this point. I don’t even know how I belong here anymore.
Until footsteps hammer on the floor and Kennedy comes around the corner. “I was so worried!”
She slams into me with a big hug. I return it, squeezing hard. “I was freaking out,” I tell her. “Are you okay?”
“Totally fine. God, that was so crazy. I just keep thinking about it. All those people freaking out, stampeding, and that fire—”
“I’m just thankful you’re okay.”
We hug tightly for a little while longer. It’s only then that I realize Kennedy doesn’t really work for me anymore. She’s employed at this house, but I don’t live here.
“Come on, I started packing for you last night.” She holds my hand as we walk through the strange and familiar halls together. “I was too amped up and had nothing else to do.”
“So you came to work?”
“No, I came to help out my friend.” She gives me a look as we step into my room.
Half my stuff is in boxes. She’s got everything organized already. Typical Kennedy. Tears well up in my eyes as I look at it all.
My entire life thrown onto the bed, stacked on the floor, and piled nearly into the corners of the room.
“You didn’t have to do all this,” I say, overwhelmed.
“My best friend’s wedding got car bombed. I feel like this was the least I could do.” She leans against me.
“You really mean that? I mean, you don’t work for me anymore, and it’s not like I have any of my own money—”
Kennedy squeezes me tightly. “God, you’re such a mess.”
“I don’t even know what that means.”
She sighs and hugs me. “I love you, Lucy. I know you’ve got all these hang-ups and scars from the way people treated you in the past, but I’m not one of them. I told you before. I’m not your friend for money or anything like that. I’m your friend for you.”