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)
“Don’t we own the cops?”
I can’t explain to him that no, we don’t, we don’t own anyone right now, not without that book. And I’m pretty sure Vural is about to get his hands on it. “Just follow orders.”
“Whatever you say.”
“Once Vural leaves the bank, tail him. Don’t lose him. Your fucking life depends on it.”
“Understood.”
Prime hangs up.
Sorrow hits me hard. I stumble and nearly lose my step, but Kira’s there to steady me. She puts herself under my arm and makes me place some of my weight on her shoulders. She touches my chest, looking worried. I try to find words, but nothing comes.
I lost the book.
Everything my family ever worked for is in enemy hands now.
Isak Vural ambushed me and now he’s going to destroy my entire life and all the lives of the people I care about.
Kira touches my arm. “You need to slow down.”
“No time.” I clench my jaw. I can’t fall apart. Not right now. “I have to hurry. Prime’s watching Vural.”
“You’re hurt. Let your men handle him.”
“Can’t do that.”
“Stellan—”
I shake my head and move forward. Kira keeps pace, still taking some of my weight, and I wonder if that’s how it’ll be from now on. When life throws shit my way, maybe she’ll take a little of the stress on her shoulders. Maybe we’ll help each other be stronger.
“This is my family, Kira. I’m their Don and they’re my responsibility. I can’t pass that on to someone else. Whatever happens to them is my fault and mine alone.”
“You can’t help if you bleed out.”
I stop at the door to the terminal. I pull her against me and hug her tightly. I’m so grateful she’s here and she’s strong enough to be the support I desperately need. “You have to go back home. I have guards coming to watch over you soon.”
“Stellan—”
“Please, I have to know you’re safe so I can go take care of Vural.”
“I don’t want you to go.”
“I know.” I kiss her softly. Our lips linger and it hurts how badly I’m desperate for her. But this is my fight and mine alone. “I love you. I’ll come home, I promise.”
“I love you too.” Tears roll down her cheeks. “Don’t get killed.”
I kiss her one more time, not sure if I can make that promise, before I hurry toward where my ride’s waiting. On the way, I make a series of calls and send a dozen texts, shooting out instructions to my network.
It ends today. Either I walk from this confrontation with the book or Vural does. At either extreme, it’s finished. The Corsetti Famiglia survives or we crumble.
Vural’s already gone from the bank by the time I get there. Prime’s gone too. He answers his phone, and I follow to his location. I end up at a fancy boutique hotel out on the edge of town near the Delaware River. It’s not a large structure, thankfully. Only three floors. I’d guess fifty rooms, tops, but still. Not ideal.
Prime’s leaning up against his car, watching the entrance.
“I’ve got men around back. He’s definitely in there.”
“Does he know you followed?”
Prime only shrugs. “He might. I couldn’t risk being too careful. I had to make sure I kept on him.”
“You did good.” I stare at the entrance to the building. It’s a damn problem. I had hoped Vural would stay in a more private location, but this makes my life harder. There will be staff inside and other customers. People who have nothing to do with my fight.
But none of them matter now.
“What’s the plan? And what’s Vural got that’s so important?”
I take a deep breath and slowly let it out. I can’t hide this anymore, not right now when I need everyone on high alert. “He’s got the Black Book.” Saying it out loud isn’t as bad as I thought. It’s actually a slight relief.
Prime stiffens. Even his cocky nonchalance crumbles. “You can’t be serious?”
“It’s a long story, but this is life or death for our entire organization right now. Vural’s got the Black Book, and if we don’t take it back, we’re finished.”
“Well, fuck me in the ear canal.” Prime lets out a surprised laugh. “This is even more fucked up than I realized.”
“Stay with me. Tell your men they need to find that book.”
“You really want everyone to know it’s missing?”
“At this point, I need everyone aware of what’s going on. It’s existential now.”
“Yeah, alright. You’re the Don.” Prime shoots off a few quick text messages. “You think we should storm it?”
I consider the options. We could wait for nightfall and go in as fast and quiet as we can, but I have a feeling Vural’s waiting for that. By the time we’re through the doors, he’ll have copied the book, scanned it, or taken photos of it, and killing him won’t matter anymore. We’ll be fucked.