Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22616 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22616 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“Elio’s going to kill you for this.”
“He isn’t going to get a chance. Now say something else and I'm going to crack you across the mouth.” He yanked the back door open to a sleek white SUV to shove me inside.
“You don't lay a hand on her,” another voice that I recognized so well came out of the darkened interior. “Now get inside, Ana Maria.”
My heart stopped as I stared at the man who should probably be dead in a ditch somewhere from his debauchery. “Daddy what's going on? Why are you doing this?” Seeing him in the nice suit, completely clean shaven with his hair slicked back proved exactly what Elio said. My father was a mobster and more than that, a liar.
A laughing rumble came from the front of the vehicle and the face I recognized that haunted my dreams turned around and stared at me. Well, hello, little Ana.”
“Calhoun?
“I don't understand what's going on,” I muttered as my mind and heart were racing.
“You had to go and call your uncle, didn't you?” The motion was so quick I didn’t have a chance to react like I normally did and dodge his blows. The sting across my face burned before his hand fully came down. He’d gotten stronger and more determined.
“Answer me, you useless little slut.”
“Well, you went missing and I was worried. Why are you with them? Are they holding you hostage?” Now they all laughed at me. Hearing my father's chuckle hit me straight in the chest like a punch so hard I feel like I couldn't breathe. I knew he could be cruel when he drank, but this was different. The man in front of me was stone cold sober and evil. I didn’t know this man. I never knew this man.
“Now you're going to do what we tell you and summon your little boyfriend.” Out of nowhere he lost the southern twang that I had grown up with, and his accent was similar to Elio and his men. My gut was screaming at me that I'd been played. I had nowhere to run and was betrayed by my own flesh and blood. No matter what happened, I sure as hell wasn’t going to give him what he wanted.
“No, I'm not. Why would I do anything for you? For years I have been cleaning up after what I thought was an alcoholic, and here you are sober, well-dressed in expensive clothes and hanging with the men who harassed me on a regular basis and took my money that I earned by working two jobs and giving up my life for. There is nothing I would do for you ever again. How could you hate your daughter so much?”
He grabbed my cheeks forcefully, squeezing them so hard I thought he’d break my jaw. “Easy. You're not my daughter.” My eyes widened and he smirked, understanding that he’d won. He released his grip, slamming me violently against the seat. I shook my head, body trembling as the day’s revelations pounded into my brain.
“See that bitch of a mother of yours and that bastard brother of mine betrayed me in the worst way possible. You're their little mistake and they dumped you off on me. I’m glad she had that accident. I’m almost sad I didn’t cause it.”
“What are you going to do to me?”
“You’re going to pay for running away or rather your little lover will with his life. I let you get away with just paying your dues by working a regular job or two, but since you crossed me you’ll come work for me in one of my clubs.”
“Never.”
“Trust me you will.” I remained quiet the rest of the trip and faced forward not looking at any of them. They took me along the back roads toward a warehouse. They came to a stop and then my father said, “You’ll be here until that poor excuse for a boss and fiancé pays up. Then we’ll end him and take you where you belong.”
“No, you can’t,” I screamed.
Frankie dragged me from the vehicle. “Come on, little brat.”
My father stuck his head out of the vehicle and said, “Don’t let anything happen to her until I get back. She’s going to be worth a lot.”
A million thoughts went through my head. The second I was trapped in that building I’d have less of a chance of escaping. I’d ran from Calhoun and Perez before, I just didn’t know it had been at my father’s request. Without drawing attention to myself, I peered around the alley and looked for anything that could help me get away. There were a few fire escapes, and the main road wasn’t far. Still, nothing but a large dumpster nearby. That wasn’t much help.
“Don’t worry, this little bitch isn’t getting away from me. I want my money and you want yours. Besides, I need payback.” My father closed the door, and Frankie dragged me to the door. Screeching tires could be heard coming toward my father’s SUV. They switched into reverse, but were met with another SUV.