Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“That’s it?” I ask, stunned and elated, heart racing.
“Look fast. We have to go.”
I stare through the sight. Taras is standing, looking horrified, a big bullet hole in the wall behind him. He’s not moving, like he’s too scared to scream. Sweat’s pouring down his forehead, and his cheeks are flushed. His hands are clutched at his chest like he can barely believe his heart’s still beating.
“That’s good,” I say quietly, smiling like I mean it. “That’s really good.”
Chapter 34
Cormac
Ican remember maybe five times I’ve been summoned to one of my father’s war meetings.
Typically, they don’t want the Ghostman lurking around.
I’m a little too unnerving.
But tonight, it’s only me and my brothers. The other Whelan family generals are either busy or out keeping an eye on our operations.
It’s strange, parking out front of the rowdy Irish pub right in the center of our Bronx power base, how all I want is for Bianca to be with me right now. I hate leaving her behind. It drives me fucking crazy. Though most men in my position would probably make some joke about their ball and chain and be happy for a little time away from family life.
That’s not me.
I can’t get enough of her and the little world we’re making for ourselves.
Even if it’s coming along slowly and had a rocky start.
At least, rocky from her perspective.
To me, though, she’s always been a saint. And yesterday only helped prove it.
She could’ve blown the head off of Taras Morozov with ease. One little squeeze of the trigger. That was all it would’ve taken, and she would’ve gotten revenge for her friend Elena.
I can’t be sure that Taras ordered the bombing, but there’s no doubt that he approved in some form.
But she resisted. A weaker person might’ve taken the shot.
Not my feather.
I loved her so much in that moment when she asked me to give him a warning instead of ending his life. I love her even more every day, the intensity of my desire for her only growing each morning I wake with her in my bed.
It’s wild and unnerving how deeply she’s buried in my mind.
Like the thought of her is a part of me now.
I get out of the car and drift into the pub. There’s noise and laughter from the patrons. I get a few knowing looks from people who recognize me, and the bartender indicates the back with his chin. I head into a private room and pause beside the table.
My father’s sitting at the head with a glass of whiskey. An expensive bottle rests in the middle of the table. Declan’s to his right, Finn’s to his left, and Seamus is at the other end. Everyone looks at me, and it’s obvious I interrupted their conversation.
I know my brothers meet with my father all the time. That makes perfect sense. Seamus runs street operations, and Declan’s essentially my father’s right hand. Finn doesn’t have a set role exactly, but now that he’s a part of the Marino deal, he’s got important work. And I think everyone just likes having him around.
This isn’t my normal scene, though.
“Take a seat,” Dad says, jerking his head toward Finn’s side of the table. I slide around and slump down into my chair.
“Drink?” Seamus gives me a little wink and pours some whiskey from the bottle. “On the house.”
“Appreciate it.” I take a sip and watch my father. He frowns back at me, not speaking. Our relationship’s been strained ever since I took over for Finn while my little brother gets away with everything, mostly because he’s such a charming bastard.
“Good of you to show,” Dad says after the silence gets a little too oppressive.
“I know how to follow orders.”
Dad’s eyebrows raise. “Do you now? Wouldn’t have guessed it.”
I bristle but say nothing.
Finn looks around. “Should we arm wrestle or something? Maybe strip off our shirts and street fight until we stamp out this—” He gestures vaguely in the air. “You know, this tension shit?”
“You’d just get your ass kicked,” Seamus says with a smirk. “You know damn well you don’t have a good right hook.”
“Don’t need one when I’m breaking your nose with my jab.”
“Can’t break my nose if you can’t touch it.”
“Boys,” Declan says, sounding tired, like this is the thousandth little argument he’s broken up today. “Enough dick-measuring.”
“Why, don’t like how you’re stacking up?” Seamus asks brightly.
I watch my brothers banter for a little while. Dad’s leaned back, letting them get it out of their system, idly sipping his whiskey and studying me. I try my best to ignore him. I know I’ve never been on the inside of our family, but now it feels like I’m a total stranger.
All because I needed to marry Bianca.
I’d do it again, if given the choice. I’d do it a thousand times over. Taking Finn’s place was the best thing I’ve ever done in my miserable life.