Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“What the hell is that?”
Stellan is checking himself in the bathroom mirror and glances over with a frown. “That’s a dress.”
“But what’s it doing here?”
“You’re wearing it in three hours.”
“I’m not doing anything but going to bed in three hours.”
“We have the meeting tonight.” He stares at me thoughtfully. “Maybe I should have gotten navy.”
Shit, the meeting. He wants to parade me around in front of his criminal council thing. And I can’t say no because it’s a core part of our agreement.
“I didn’t say you could dress me up.” I go over and touch the dress. It’s absurdly high-quality. I don’t see any labels, though. “Where’d it come from?”
“Bottega Veneta. Heard of them?”
I nearly gag. “Are you insane? That fancy freaking boutique place?”
“The owner is a friend.”
“Oh my god. Of course. How much did this thing cost?”
“Put it on.” He leans against the doorframe and crosses his arms.
“Right in front of you?”
“Yes. Now.”
I hesitate. I’m very tempted. It’s a beautiful dress. “Is Gem home?”
“She’s up on her floor. Put on the dress, Kira.”
“I should talk to her.”
“After you get changed. I want the council to see how beautiful you are.”
Well, shit. That’s probably the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me, and coming from him, it somehow means even more. With a soft curse, I grab the dress and retreat into our massive walk-in closet.
“You don’t get a show!” I call out, closing the door and locking it.
I swear I can hear him laughing.
A half hour later, I find Gem in her room sitting at her new desk in her new fancy desk chair with her school books open. “Hey, you doing okay?”
She looks back—and her jaw drops open. “Holy moly. Who the hell are you?”
“Don’t be funny.” I step inside hesitantly. “I look okay?”
“Okay?! Kira, you look like a model or something.”
“I feel like a politician.”
“Sure, maybe in Italy, and more like a politician’s arm candy. Holy crap. Where did you get that dress?!”
I glance at myself in the mirror she has propped against her wall. I really do look good. The dress is conservative but flattering. The fit is absolutely perfect. Which is infuriating, because somehow Stellan made this happen in an afternoon. “You-know-who decided he likes dressing me up.”
“Well, you’re luckier than I thought.” She leans back and laughs to herself. “I got so used to seeing you in aprons and dog hair. I forgot you’re really pretty.”
“Thanks. I think. But listen, we’re going out tonight for a few hours. Will you be okay?”
“I’m not a little kid anymore.”
“I know that. But this whole thing is new. I’m just making sure you’re okay.”
“If you’re okay, then I am too. And how can you not be in that freaking dress?”
“Ha, ha, ha, you’re hilarious. I always thought I got the sense of humor in the family.”
“Nah, it skipped you and went right to me.”
I hesitate, wishing she’d asked me to stay behind. A little note of fear keeps ringing in my guts. But Stellan’s waiting for me downstairs.
“Order something for dinner. The big guy’s paying.”
“Happily. I’ll go nuts.”
“Please do.” I go over and give her a tight hug.
“You sure you’re good?”
“I’m totally good.” I step back and turn away. I don’t want her to see how afraid I am. All this time I’ve spent taking care of her, and I’ve always done my best to keep the worst of it shoved away. The less she has to carry, the farther she’ll get to fly.
Stellan escorts me into the back of a fancy town car. We have a driver for the evening. He takes us deep into South Philly into a neighborhood I’m not very familiar with. Stellan points out locations as we go: dry cleaners, supermarkets, restaurants, and bars. All of them owned or operated by affiliates of his family.
The driver drops us at an old Catholic church. I linger as Stellan heads straight toward the back entrance. “You sure we’re in the right place?”
He comes back and takes my arm. His voice softens, and I have to lean in close to hear him. “From now on, assume we’re being watched. Do you understand your role tonight?”
My jaw tightens. “I’m the meek and dutiful wife. Keep my head down. Speak when spoken to. Let the men do their business. Fucking pricks.”
“Perfect. You’ll be fine.” He tugs me closer. I slip my hand through his arm. “You really do look incredible. A man could be proud to have you by his side.”
“Could he? So how do you feel?”
“Like I want to get this over with.”
“That makes two of us.”
He leads me through an unlocked door and into what looks like a maintenance room. There are tools, extra pews, and Bibles piled on a workbench. Through another door, down another hall, and we step into the main room with rows of polished pews.