Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
I’d been calling my brother ever since we landed, and he hadn’t answered once.
“This might be a recovery rather than a rescue,” Tommaso said honestly.
It was one of those times when I didn’t want honesty. “He might have just dropped it.”
“Dropped it after they grabbed him?”
“Shut up, Tommaso.”
“I’m sticking my neck out for you, so don’t you fucking tell me to shut up.” He turned to the driver. “Go to their headquarters. Whether Edric is there or not, we need to speak to the Skull King.”
I didn’t have a better plan, not when I couldn’t talk to my brother. “Can you call him?”
Tommaso sighed as he looked at me.
“Call him.”
I didn’t have Darius’s number, and even if I had, he’d have no idea who I was. He wouldn’t listen to me.
“This is a really fucking stupid idea, Constantine.”
“I know.”
“Then I want something in return for this.”
“Name your price.” I’d give him every fucking euro I’d earned if he helped me get my brother back.
“Marry my daughter when she turns twenty-four.”
That was his request? “Are you out of your fucking mind?”
“That’s my price.”
“She might not even like me.”
“I’m sure she will, Constantine.”
“I might not like her.”
“Does any man like his wife?” he demanded.
“I would fucking hope so.”
“We got a deal or not?”
“No. I can’t promise that. What if I meet someone?”
“Then have a mistress.”
“I’m not that kind of man.”
“Which is exactly why I want you for my daughter.”
“Tommaso, you’re fucking crazy. The answer is no.”
“Then swear to me you’ll consider it, when the time comes.”
“We’re talking, like, nine years from now. What if I’m already married?”
“That’s fine, but you won’t be,” he said. “You want me to put my life on the line, that’s what I want.”
“Jesus fucking Christ, fine.”
He extended his hand to shake mine. “I know you’re a man of your word.”
I shook it, potentially trading my future for my brother . . . who might already be dead.
He pulled out his phone and called the Skull King. It rang and rang.
Shit. “Call him again.”
Tommaso repeated the call, but the same thing happened. “What did Edric do to piss off Darius?”
I didn’t want to say. If I told the truth, none of them would help me.
Tommaso continued to stare at me. “Con, what did he do?”
I shook my head. “I—I don’t know.” I lied. Went against everything I believed in and fucking lied . . . just for a chance to save him.
The Skull Kings operated out of a large villa that used to be an apartment building. They’d taken it over and renovated it. Darius occupied it as his primary residence, with a militia of men to guard him.
I assumed his wife lived there too.
We arrived, and Tommaso asked for an audience with Darius—said it was a matter of life and death.
If I’d been the one to make that request, I would have been denied.
We were escorted inside, into a large foyer that was mostly empty space except for the couches arranged around the enormous hearth that was dead and cold. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their lights set to low, and there were old paintings on the wall that seemed to be left there by the previous owner.
We’d barely stepped inside when the double doors were thrust open with enough force to make them smack against the walls. Nearly flew off the hinges. Shirtless and enraged like a bull, the Skull King entered, a man of immense girth and strength, with eyes that were pitch black like the underworld. “Life and death? What could possibly be life and death when no one lives or dies in this city without my say-so?” He screamed like we were the ones who’d had an affair with his wife, and then he stopped when he looked at me.
It took less than a second for him to understand. “It’s his life that you’ve come to plead for.” He moved closer to us, a behemoth of a man who was six and a half feet tall, with so much muscle he must eat a cow every day to maintain his strength. He moved to me, ignoring everyone else like no one else stood in the room. “I should kill you too—just for the fucking likeness.”
“Name your price, and I’ll pay it.”
He stepped closer to me, attempting to taunt me with his size.
I wouldn’t be intimidated, not when my brother’s life was on the line, my twin, the person I’d shared more life with than anyone else.
“Are you married?”
I hadn’t expected that question. “No.”
“Then there is no price you can pay.” He stepped away. “Your brother is dead. But I’m glad you’re here because I’d love for you to watch.” He nodded to one of his men who stood by the door.
“There’s gotta be something you want—”
“I want his come out of my wife’s pussy.” He turned back to me with a quick spin, moving his enormous mass with ease. “And her mouth. And probably her ass too—because she’s a fucking whore.”