Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Preacher took another drag from his cigarette before saying, “Now, we wait and see if they believe it’s Alina. If they buy it, we’re in the clear.”
Creed’s jaw tightened, and I could tell something was bothering him. I wasn’t surprised. He was always ten steps ahead. He cocked his brow and asked, “And we’re sure they’re gonna think the Albanians were behind it all?”
“Can’t imagine why they wouldn’t. Hell, they slit his father’s throat in broad daylight less than twenty-four hours ago. Killed two guards. Wounded the mother. She’s still in the ICU. It’s all over the news.”
Creed’s jaw ticked, but he didn’t say a word.
So, I continued, “Two brothers were dumped in the harbor. Fingers cut off. Tongues gone. They’re making the message clear.”
Jenson shifted in the corner before interjecting, “I saw this morning that a stash house got torched. They burned everyone inside, including the women and children. It was all kinds of fucked up.”
“Damn.” Goose shook his head as he entered the room. “These guys don’t fuck around.”
“Yeah, and it’s only going to get worse from here. It’s make-or-break time for those remaining, and everyone knows it.” I glanced back over at Creed as I said, “And don’t forget all the evidence we had them put in the safe. That will keep them busy for weeks.”
“No doubt.” Preacher leaned back in his chair and took a drag from his cigarette, letting the smoke billow around him. “Either way. It buys us some time.”
He wasn’t wrong. But there was no satisfaction in his words for me. Only the weight of inevitability. When it came to a war like this, it didn’t matter how careful you were. When blood hit the street, it spread. And we’re just close enough to catch some of the splatter.
“So, what are you gonna do about the girl?” Creed gave me one of his looks. “She gonna stay or are we going to find her a place to…”
“She’s staying.”
The words came out before I had a chance to really think them through. Jenson’s gaze flicked up, and Preacher looked at me like he knew something I didn’t. I felt the urge to defend myself and tell them that it was the way it had to be, but the longer she was there, the harder it became to think of her as temporary.
Preacher cocked his brow. “You sure that’s a good idea?”
“It’s not like I’m just going to kick her to the curb.”
“Not saying that.” Creed took a step forward. “Just thinking, if we’re gonna do it, this would be the best time to set her up some place. We could send her…”
“No. We aren’t sending her anywhere.” My voice was low and absolute. “It would be like tossing her out to the wolves. I won’t do it.”
Creed didn’t press. He didn’t have to. The fire was already lit.
The knot in my throat tightened as I growled, “I told her I would protect her, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
“And you’ve kept your word,” Preacher interjected. “Alek has been dealt with. It’s over. You said it yourself. If we’re going to find her a safe place to go, this is the time to do it. She needs a new name, new license, new…”
“It’s too soon. She needs time.”
“Time, huh?”
“That’s what I said.”
“Um-hmm.” Preacher shook his head. “How much time are you thinking? A couple days? A week? A year?”
“As much time as she needs.”
“You talked to your brothers about this? Or your mother?”
I was growing tired of the third degree. Real tired. My back stiffened as I countered, “There’s nothing to talk about.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“I don’t have to check in with my brothers or mother any time I make a decision.”
“This isn’t any decision, Sergei.” Preacher’s eyes narrowed. “This girl and her family have history with all of you. They have a right to know she’s here.”
“Like I said, she needs time.”
It wasn’t a lie. Alina had been through hell, and while the bruises were gone and she was no longer wincing at every wrong move, she was still recovering. She didn’t jump or gasp at every little bump in the night, but I saw those little glimmers of fear in her eyes, especially when a voice was raised or a door slammed.
The nightmares were pretty rough, too. I had gotten the first taste of them the second night she was at my place. I was in the office, talking with Conrad, when I heard a strange sound coming from Alina’s room. As soon as he ended the call, I went to check on her.
I eased her door open and was surprised to find that the bedside lamp was on. I stepped in further and found her nestled under the covers, sleeping soundly. The bruises on her face were all but gone, and the shadows under her eyes had disappeared. She looked so peaceful, like something fragile I had no right being close to.