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)
Dad’s eyes narrow. “What do you need for her?”
“A husband, actually.” Ruslan’s smile is vicious and he laughs at the surprised look on my father’s face. “What, you think only the Italians want to marry their daughters off? I’m not a stupid man, Padraig. I can see how this little deal can fall apart a thousand different ways. But if one of your sons marries my daughter? That could be worthwhile. That would go a long way toward quieting dissent in my organization.”
I’m tempted to tell him to fuck straight off. The idea of my brothers marrying a Russian Bratva princess makes my skin crawl. But this time I keep my mouth shut, and my father finally speaks.
“We’ll discuss that more soon. But I’m open to the idea.”
“Wonderful.” Ruslan claps his hands together, grinning amiably. “Then I accept your proposal.” He says something to Taras in Russian. Taras gets up and walks to a bag leaning against the wall. Everyone tenses as he reaches inside, but he only brings out a big bottle of vodka, grimly uncapping the top and pouring shots into glasses. “Now we drink to consummate our beautiful new relationship!”
The meeting ends with lots of toasts to good health and way more alcohol than is reasonable. The Russians leave first, nearly stumbling out together. I’m tempted to kill them here and now and be done with all this, but I think my wife wouldn’t be happy about that, considering how it would only prolong the war. I end up alone in the hallway with Adriano while my father escorts Ruslan to the elevators.
“I didn’t expect that to go so well.” He stares off after the Russian, shaking his head with a deep frown. “I have a feeling this alliance won’t be so simple.”
“It’s good you decided to pursue it, though.”
“I heard it was your idea.”
“Bianca nudged me in this direction.”
He laughs softly. “How’s my sister doing? You’re treating her well?”
“As good as I possibly can. She’s in her office, actually, if you want to see her.”
“I do, but I need to finalize some details with your father when he gets back.” Adriano studies me carefully. “She’s a good person, you know. Better than my family deserves.”
“I’m very aware.”
“That’s good to hear.” Adriano shakes his head slowly. “Fucked-up world we live in. The choices we have to make.”
“To me, everything’s simple.” I stretch my neck and turn away. “I do what my wife tells me and don’t worry about anything else.”
I leave him to wait for my father to return. Bianca’s office is in the back corner, and she opens up when I knock. Her cheeks are flushed. “Everyone okay?” she asks.
“All done.” I hug her tightly and kiss her hard.
“You taste like vodka.”
“Russians like to celebrate.”
“Celebrating’s good. That means the war’s over.”
“It looks that way.”
“Why don’t you seem happy?” She nuzzles against me and tilts her chin up toward mine. “No more fighting. We’re safe.”
“I have my doubts about how long it’ll last.”
“Nothing’s forever, right?” She hugs me tightly before tugging me into her office. She kicks the door shut behind me. “We’ve just got right now.”
“That’s very true.”
“And since you’re drunk—” She kisses me hard, tongue sliding into my mouth.
I slip into that kiss like putting on fresh clothes. “Are you trying to take advantage of me?”
“Absolutely.”
“You don’t have to do that, feather.” I crush her mouth with mine, briefly devouring her. “I’d do anything you wanted.”
“That’s why I like you so much.”
“That and my many other wonderful qualities.”
“Such as?”
“Murder. Mayhem. Stalking.” I tighten my grip in her hair. “A very skilled tongue and a filthy mouth.”
She purrs, eyes getting glassy and lips falling open. “Peacetime suits you.”
“You suit me. That’s all I care about.”
We kiss again, and fuck everything else, fuck the Russians and my family and her brother and everything outside her office door.
I don’t need anything else but her. Never have before, never will again.
Chapter 38
Bianca
Elevator rides with strangers can be excruciatingly awkward, especially after a job interview. But for some reason, I feel completely comfortable with Jessica Yang. We chat about movies and some TV shows we’re both watching, and she recommends a few podcasts I’ve never heard of.
“Listen, I’m not supposed to say this, but I really enjoyed this interview,” I admit as we walk through the lobby together. “You seem to really get the mission. You’re more than qualified.”
“That’s great to hear,” she says, smoothing back her silky black hair. She’s in a perfect outfit of a cream blouse and dark bottoms. “Honestly, I was a little unsure coming in today, but you completely won me over.”
“I have two other interviews to go through, but at this point, they’re a formality. I want to hire you right here.”
The way Jessica brightens makes me absolutely sure this is the right call. “That’s amazing,” she says, beaming. “I’m so excited. Honestly, we’re going to do some really good things for this city. I love your ideas.”