Series: Penny Dee
Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97669 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97669 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“I don’t want kids,” I tell her quickly. I don’t need any additional responsibilities beyond what I have now. Anyone who is attached to me is a target, which is why I have my sister and niece so heavily protected, even if she calls me overbearing.
“I know, but still.” She shrugs, and a silence hangs in the air.
“Still, what?”
She plays with the tips of her almost-black hair, a small sheepish smile on her face. “Well, it’s just us. Creating a big family would be nice.”
“We have a big family. I have men out there who would die for you,” I remind her.
“Yes, I guess you’re right,” she says, a little quieter now. “But sometimes it’s worth taking a risk on something that could be beautiful, Silas. If someone’s caught your attention, maybe you should think about it more seriously. You should enjoy your life as well.”
My eyebrows dip. I do enjoy my life. Killing particularly. Seizing more control and power over the city. Providing and protecting for this family. This obsession I have with Leonore could crumble all of that away. Yet it seems I can’t stop coming back to her.
My phone begins to buzz on the table, and when I look down, it’s from an unknown number.
My sister slides her hand over mine and squeezes. “Just remember, you deserve happiness too.” Then she stands and takes her plate with her, just as Lotti returns with a new container of jam.
Gia pushes her out as I bring the phone to my ear.
The voice is distorted but clear. “I know who killed Pietro Vescari. I’ll send a location in three days. I’ll bring the culprit, and in exchange, you’ll fulfill my request. Come alone.”
The phone cuts out.
Well, this just got more interesting. Like a moth to a flame, I’m certain I know who was on the other end of that call. But nothing ever surprises me these days. Well, perhaps except a little raven with deep-plum hair.
23
LEONORE
Silas visits me at work two more times that week but doesn’t ask to sleep with me again. The first time, I was relieved; the second time, I grew suspicious. If anything, it feels very unlike him, as if he’s intentionally holding himself back, and it’s only increased my awareness of how my body reacts to him every time he steps into my space.
Despite it, I’m grateful. I haven’t been able to speak with Tori yet about the youngest Nero brother, but a knowing already sits in my lower stomach. I just haven’t decided how I’m going to deal with it. If she let him in so he could take the body, then she’s broken my trust. But I also don’t want to tell Silas that, because I know what he’ll do. Tori is young, and most likely stupidly infatuated. But I don’t think she should be killed because of it.
Nessa has refused to speak to me, and I have been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to go around to see her. But tonight I don’t have much on, and although the rest of my life feels like chaos, I want to calm the one thing that’s been consistent since I moved to Boston. Our friendship.
When I walk into the club, the first person I see is Soph. She immediately waves me over, and I take my seat at the bar. She puts a water in front of me without even asking.
“She just finished on stage. She should be out any second,” she says, making a drink for another customer.
“Thanks, Soph,” I say as she walks away to the next person. It seems busier than usual tonight. Then again, I don’t usually notice too much as I pull out my phone.
“Leonore, is that you?” My heart stops as I recognize that voice. I turn at the sound of my name and come face-to-face with my ex. I haven’t seen Ben in almost two years. I broke things off with him when I found out he was cheating on me. Not that what we had was anything serious to begin with, but still, the absolute disrespect that he would do that, without calling it quits to begin with, is vile, really.
“Ben,” I say.
“Small world,” he says, acting pleasantly surprised. He looks the same; he has sandy blond hair, pushed slightly back. He isn’t as fit as he used to be, but other than that, he still looks the same. He’s a banker, and still dresses the same, looking like he came straight from work in a suit.
Just as he goes to speak, a set of hands wrap around his throat and shoulders possessively, and instantly, he turns and starts kissing the person. It takes me a second to realize it’s Nessa, and everything freezes.
What the fuck?
She was the one who caught him cheating on me and told me I had to leave him. Not that I needed her to tell me; I would’ve done it regardless, but I remember her being adamant that I should leave him.