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)
“Fuck,” he barks. “I can’t fucking believe I didn’t consider that. I assumed Leysa had found her because she was following one of us, not because Vanessa was being tracked.”
“You can’t think of everything,” I say to my best friend, hating that he puts everything on his shoulders. “But we should probably have Nicole’s devices wiped, too, since she’s around the women so often.”
Matteo nods in agreement, his jaw ticcing in frustration.
“Do you have a fight coming up?”
His background is in boxing, but since he was eighteen, he’s been fighting underground. It helps regulate his emotions and relieve the pent-up aggression that builds within him.
“No.” He sighs and drops into the visitor seat. “Dani said she doesn’t want me fighting until after that psycho bitch is found.” He scrubs his hand over his face. “My guys and I have been searching everywhere for her. For someone who knows where we can find her. According to Kaleb, when he went to Colombia to question the mom and sister, they had no clue that she was alive, and we don’t want to tip them off because if they reach out to her, they could become an ally. The less people helping her, the better.”
“How is she bankrolling this?”
“Her grandfather left her everything. From what we’ve been able to gather, they were close, and he brainwashed her into believing it was okay to traffic women. It was how he made his living, so when Dominick cut Carlos off, shit went south, and he lost a huge source of income.”
He leans forward and sighs, looking exhausted. I hate that all of this is falling on him, but I wouldn’t even know where to begin trying to help him find her.
“Camilo, Leysa’s father, refused to carry the grudge or follow in his father’s footsteps,” he continues. “He made a decent living, but it was nothing like what they’d made from trafficking. My guess is that Leysa is using the money from her grandfather to come after us in hopes of gaining access to the port so she can continue in her grandfather’s footsteps.”
“Why not find another port?” I question, knowing their port isn’t the only one in South Florida capable of doing what she needs.
“Times have changed.” He shrugs. “Connections have been severed. At this point, I think she’s doing this just to avenge her grandfather’s death. She doesn’t have the balls to kill us, so she was hoping to push us out, and when that didn’t work, she decided to fuck with us. She’s a little girl, playing adult games.”
I open my mouth to respond when Matteo’s alarm for Dani goes off, alerting him to her leaving, which makes me think … with everything going on, I should put a tracker on Vanessa. Dominick, Matteo, and Kane have them in their wives’ wedding bands.
“Where’s my wife?” he barks into the phone.
He’s quiet for several beats, and then his gaze goes to me. “Okay, I’m on my way.”
He hangs up. “Bri was hanging out with Dani, and her water broke.”
“Isn’t it a bit early?” I ask.
“Four weeks, so not too early,” he says, standing. “But Dani’s on the way to the hospital with her, not wanting to leave her alone.”
“Keep me updated.”
Once he’s gone, I spend the next few hours working on several projects that we have going on, stopping when I get a text from Kane in our group chat.
Kane
Princess Polina Amira Morgan is here. Mom and baby are doing great. She was born naturally, and we’ll be home tomorrow if anyone wants to stop by.
Dominic
I love that you named her after our grandmother. She’s beautiful. Let Brielle know we’ll be by in a little while. Peyton isn’t waiting until you’re home.
Matteo
She’s fucking beautiful … doesn’t look anything like you, man.
I snort out a laugh. Matteo might’ve accepted Kane into the family, but he never passes up an opportunity to fuck with him.
Kane
I’ll take that as a compliment, asshole.
Dani
Matteo, be nice! She’s perfect!
Peyton
This makes me want another baby
Dominick
Say the word, and I’ll make it happen, Peaches.
Lorenzo
She’s beautiful. Congrats!
Vanessa
She’s absolutely precious. Congrats to both of you.
Nicole
Aww, I can’t wait to meet my goddaughter!
“Please tell me we can leave to go see that adorable little girl,” Vanessa says when I walk through the door after work. “I made her the cutest outfit.”
“Hello to you too.” I give Vanessa a kiss. “And, yes, of course we can go. Though we should probably wait until they get home. It’s safer at their house.”
“Dada!” Leo squeals.
“Hey there, Monkey,” I say, having started using the nickname Vanessa dubbed him with. “You having a good day?”
I move to pick him up when he pulls himself up on the edge of the couch and then turns, acting like he’s going to walk to me. He’s been attempting to walk for months now. Loving to push the furniture around. And we had to lower his crib because he almost climbed over the side. But he’s yet to take any successful steps.