Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 101101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 404(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 404(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
“And you’ve seen him?” Dominick asks, remaining calm.
“No.” Eric shakes his head. “He donated to my campaign in exchange for me agreeing that I’d push you out.”
Dominick barks out a laugh. “That wasn’t very smart.”
“I know,” he whines. “But I was desperate. I made some bad choices. I needed the money to stay afloat.”
“Hmm.” I chuckle. “Must be why they were going after your daughter.”
The mayor swallows thickly. “I can help you. I’ll help you find him. He texts me sometimes … and I’ll set up a meeting. If you can just protect me, please.”
Dominick snorts out a laugh and stands, so I follow since I’m just along for the ride. “I think I’ll wait and see how this plays out. Have a good day, Mayor.”
“It could be a woman,” I note once we’re back in his SUV.
“It could be any-fucking-one. Hell, it could be you.”
“You know damn well that shit isn’t my style,” I drawl. “You don’t think I know you had me looked into? The moment my name was pinged, my IT guy sent me everything.”
Dominick nods and then hits a button on his steering wheel. “Call Eddy.”
“Boss,” the guy says once he answers.
“I need you to dig deeper on Carlos Santiago. The mayor said he’s working with him as well.”
“He’s dead,” Eddy says dumbly.
“I know he’s fucking dead!” Dominick barks. “I killed him with my bare hands, but someone is fucking with my family, and two people have mentioned this asshole’s name.”
“Unless whoever it is was aware of your connection to Carlos Santiago and is using his name to fuck with you,” I point out.
“Who’s that?” Eddy asks.
“The dipshit who’s forcing my sister to marry him,” Dominick notes, reminding me that while we might be allies, we’re not on the same team either.
“Ahh, Kane Morgan,” Eddy says over the line. “I see your mom is enjoying the mountains.”
I stiffen at his words, and Dominick smirks.
“You didn’t think we’d find where she was, right? Eddy here is the best hacker on the East Coast.”
“Finding her was child’s play,” Eddy adds with a chuckle.
“I need you to find everything you can on Carlos,” Dominick says, shifting the conversation.
“And the mayor?” Eddy asks.
“We’ve bugged his office. Hopefully, he talks before he has it searched. My guess is, he has a burner phone stashed somewhere. My men are looking for it as we speak.”
“You got it,” Eddy says before he hangs up.
“If you knew where my mom was this entire time, why didn’t you go after her?”
“One, we don’t go after women if it can be helped. And two …” Dominick sighs. “My sister asked us not to. She doesn’t want bloodshed, and she’s been through a lot. Daniil said she’s been happy lately. Bought a gym—”
“Pilates studio,” I correct.
“Yeah,” he says. “Heard what you did to Theo, and you’re a good businessman. The investors for the waterfront expansion were more than happy to have you on board. And since I’m trying to go as legit as possible …” He shrugs, then glances at me. “But, Kane, if you hurt my sister, I promise that I will do more than shed blood.”
The threat should piss me off, but the only thought that occurs to me is that if someone hurt Brielle, I would tear this fucking town apart.
Speaking of which …
“I’m going to have security installed in the house,” I say, changing gears. “Can I use your contact to ensure it’s done right? I don’t know what this fucker is capable of, and I want to make sure Brielle is safe when she’s at home.”
“You’re not afraid we’ll bug your place?” He smirks.
“I have nothing to hide,” I tell him. “You wanna listen to me fuck your sister all over the house, go for it.”
Dominick whips his head around to glare at me. “And to think, I was actually starting to tolerate you, Morgan.”
23
Brielle
Today is the day. I dreamed of this day when I was younger too many times to count. The elegant white dress that would make me feel no less than a queen. Dominick walking me down the aisle—because, in my dreams, Andrey was dead—and giving me away. My friends and family would be in attendance, watching as the man of my dreams vowed to love me till death did us part.
My wedding dress is gorgeous.
My brother is walking me down the aisle.
My friends and family—and hundreds of people I don’t know or care about—are in attendance.
But the man I’m about to marry doesn’t love me. And our vows won’t mean anything.
Sure, he’s attracted to me, and the sex is off the charts. I’ve never been so satisfied in my life. With Owen, we were young and learning what our bodies were capable of. And with Theo, I was bored out of my mind. But Kane knows how to please me. And when we’re together, it feels real. Like I’m not part of his vendetta and he’s not forcing me to marry him.