Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“They’re making me get an MRI done to make sure there’s no injury to my brain.” He shrugs. “When the asshole T-boned me, I wasn’t wearing my seat belt. My forehead hit the front window, and one of my men drove me here since I was passed out.”
“Fuck, Matteo.”
“I’m fine,” he insists. “But that fucking bitch got away. She knew exactly what we were doing and was two steps ahead.” He clenches his jaw. “She’s just fucking with us at this point. She knows we’re not going anywhere, and instead of trying to take us out, she’s playing games.”
“Her guy delivered a message before I killed him. He said Vanessa is hers.”
“I’m stepping up security. I already told Dominick that the women can hang out at each other’s places, but they’re not going anywhere else in public until this bitch is caught.”
My thoughts go to Vanessa working at the casino. I want so badly to convince her to quit, but she’s too independent, and she’ll never let me pay for her shit.
“Can I pay for extra security to be put on Vanessa at the casino?”
Matteo’s brows shoot up to his forehead. “You’re gonna let her continue to work there?”
“She’s too fucking stubborn. She’s determined to make her own way, and she needs the money to pay for school.”
“I’ll make sure she’s untouchable,” Matteo says. “But maybe work on persuading her to quit. It’d make shit easier since she seems to be Leysa’s prime target.”
His phone vibrates, and he groans.
“I need you to do me a favor.”
“Anything,” I say.
“Dani’s about to have a heart attack with me stuck here. She’s threatening to tear my balls from my body because the guards won’t let her come to me. Can you go over there and assure her I’m okay? Stress isn’t good for her or the baby. As soon as I get this fucking MRI, I’m leaving, but I promised her I’d get it.”
He rolls his eyes, and I chuckle because Matteo would do anything for my sister.
“You got it, man.” I stand and extend my arm to bump his fist. “Thank you for having my back tonight.”
“Always,” he says. “I’m sorry it came down to you having to protect her. We lost two more men tonight because of that bitch, and when I get my hands on her, I’m going to torture her for every single person she’s fucked with.”
“Oh, thank God you’re okay!” Dani throws her arms around me and hugs me tightly. “When Matteo told me what happened, I swear I died a thousand deaths.”
“Dramatic much?” I mutter, walking into their condo and looking for my niece. “Where’s Alba?”
“Sleeping, thankfully. She’s so sensitive to my moods, so she would’ve known how stressed I was about Matteo. And the asshole won’t let me out of this freaking place.”
“He’s making sure you and that baby you’re carrying are safe.”
Her cheeks flush at my words. “He told you, huh?”
“Of course,” I scoff. “He might be your husband, but he’s still my best friend.”
She rolls her eyes. “Whatever.”
“So, two babies in two years.” I whistle lowly. “You ready for that? You were just talking about coming back to work soon.”
Dani shrugs. “With Matteo by my side, I’m ready for anything.” She sniffles. “Now, he just needs to stay alive.”
Her eyes fill with tears, and I pull her into my arms.
“Hey, he’s not going anywhere. I saw him at the hospital, and he was talking shit and cracking jokes. He’s good.”
“This time,” she cries. “But what about next time?”
“That’s life, sis. We can cross the road and get hit by a car. It’s short and fragile, and all we can do is live each day like it’s our last. Matteo loves you so damn much, and he’d do anything to protect you. And that includes making sure he stays alive.”
She nods in agreement and sniffles. “Matteo said you were on a date with Vanessa …”
“Didn’t even attempt a subtle transition.” I chuckle.
“Is that a yes?”
“Yeah, I was on a date with her … one that nearly ended with her getting abducted.”
I run my fingers through my hair and yank on the ends, so damn frustrated. She came so close to being taken tonight. Too close.
“But you saved her,” Dani points out.
“She deserves better than this.”
“You said the same thing about me. But, Lo …” She locks eyes with me. “That’s not how love works.”
“Love?” I scoff. “It was one date.”
“And you going on that date tells me she means something to you. And before you try to act like it was part of a plan to coax Leysa out of hiding, Matteo said you planned the date before he mentioned his idea.”
“She’s fifteen years younger than me.”
Dani snorts out a mirthless laugh. “Who cares? I’m twelve years younger than Matteo.”
“She’s still in school.”
“Again, who cares? How does she make you feel?”