Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 54522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
“You know I love you too, don’t you?” Leaning into each other at the bar, I ask. I haven’t said that before, mostly because I was afraid of what he would do if he knew. I wondered if he would use that emotion to hold power over me, as others have done in the past. But now I don’t see him that way. As much as I have seen how capable Vincent is of hurting other people, I don’t think he’s capable of hurting me, at least not on purpose, not anymore.
I feel my cheeks flush when I realize the bartender is standing right here and heard me.
“No need to be shy,” Gabriel says as he refills my glass. “I’ve heard it all working here. Trust me, everyone confesses eventually—either to a crime of violence or passion, or ambition. Everyone’s confession passes my ears at some point or another. Usually right here at my bar.”
He gives me a smile and then walks away to give us our privacy again.
Vincent looks at ease right now, and I like it.
“I could be this man for you, Isla,” he says. “I would give you everything that you ever wanted, even this side of myself that I’ve never shared with anyone.”
As we sit here at the bar enjoying our drinks and just being together, I think that I finally believe him.
CHAPTER 20
VINCENT
For a while, things seem good.
I know better than to allow myself to get lulled into a sense of pleasant complacency. But I guess just once I wanted to feel like I could have everything I want without having to make any sacrifices.
Isla seems content—hell, she seems happy—here with me, with her own dance studio and her own stage and theatre. She spends hours a day training, and at night, with a glass of cognac or expensive scotch in my hand, I recline in the theatre seats and enjoy the private performance that she gives me. Watching her dance on that stage and seeing her happiness shine through each beautiful movement brings me more joy than I have ever known. Going to bed with her curled up in my arms every night brings me such deep peace that I can finally sleep at night after years of staying up on constant alert. Strangely, even though I haven’t gotten my revenge on Angelo Barone. I can’t risk any wars at this time until I know what other families would be on my side. I had planned to hold a gala to find out which families would side with me.
It isn’t until I hear ramblings from the streets and accounts from my crew that Angelo has moved on from his vengeance quest, that I finally feel that it’s safe enough for Isla and me to venture out together with no need to be hidden behind disguises. I’ve been doing most of my work from home, letting Luc handle all but the most important things at the casinos, and leaving the enforcement of any necessary actions to Alonzo until I’m confident enough in Isla’s safety to return to my usual routine in full force.
Now that Angelo seems to have accepted his defeat, I’m eager to resume business with Isla by my side. And to kick things off tonight, another gala at my club is in order.
“You look nice,” Marco compliments Isla when he arrives to drive us to my club.
I figured a sober driver tonight was a good idea since I plan to do a bit of celebrating myself.
“Nice?” I chuckle at his consistently modest decorum. “She looks breathtaking.”
I reach for Isla’s hand and give her a little spin in the foyer before we leave for the gala. Her skirt flips up around her thighs as she twirls, and the sound of her laughter is like that of a songbird.
“Thank you for driving us, Marco,” she smiles at him as she gets in the car.
He’s one of the good ones, always has been. Marco has a great future ahead of him, and I plan to ensure that he gets everything he has worked so hard to earn. His loyalty has been unmatched, and I think I might actually cut Alonzo loose one of these days and promote Marco to my underboss instead. He’s strong, smart, and capable of doing the hard things and making the tough choices. But he also has something that Alonzo doesn't—a good heart and a moral code.
When we arrive at the club, the place is already full. Gabriel is in the weeds at the bar, and the gambling tables are full. This time, I invited only guests that I know to be mild-tempered and respectful so that there are no incidents. I want to spend the night making the appearance of Isla on my arm an enjoyable and welcome occasion. I want everyone here to know that she is mine, and that I’m back at the helm of the ship.