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)
Frankie smacked the back of his head. “You ain’t got no family.” I lifted my head and gave him a look. He stepped back and remembered his place. It was one of the things that pissed me off about him. He always had a hard time staying in line. He used to be a favorite of my Zio, but I never liked the prick.
“I do. I just don’t talk about them,” he insisted, voice cracking. I understood why, and it pissed me off because she could have been mine for several years now.
“Why not?” I questioned. He’d been with us for five years, and secrets weren’t acceptable, especially when it came to Ana Maria.
He sighed, and then finally said, “Because my brother’s a fuck-up. The kind of fuck-up that will get someone killed or in jail, but it’s not him that I’m worried about. I try to protect my niece from this life.” He dropped his head.
“Don’t give me no fucking sob story, Joey. Why the fuck did you try to run out with my money?” I asked. I saw the truth in his eyes, but it angered me because I wanted her by my side and he deprived me of that.
“Jack got into some shit. He’s hooked on some heavy drugs and got into it with some gangs back home. Now they want their money, and they’re looking for payment, and my sweet niece has been dodging them. She had to drop out of college because of him.” He shook his head, anger building on his face as he said it.
That prick of a father needed to pay for it. I had no idea about all of that. My research had been slim because I’d made up my mind two days ago what I’d do. Everything only went into motion this morning. Things don’t roll as fast as most would believe they do. I had problems here that needed handling first.
“Ana Maria has had to work odd jobs to pay their bills since he can’t keep a damn job. I had to send her the money to pay off his drug debts once. I warned him to cut ties with those fucks because I couldn’t get mixed up in it again, but she called saying they were back, and she hasn’t heard from her father.”
“So why didn’t you come to us?” I questioned. If he’d come to me, I would have taken care of the problem instantly, and my bride would have been at my side immediately.
“Because I didn’t think it was your fight. I thought I could handle it. Now all I want to do is get her out of there before it’s too late and they harm her.” Joey’s phone rang in his pocket. Frankie snagged it—again, without my permission.
Frankie wolf-whistled as he stared at the caller ID. “Damn, that’s her? No wonder you’re worried. I’d have her on her knees, being grateful to me every day.” I snatched the phone as the final ring ended.
“Don’t talk about her like that, you sick fuck.” When I clicked on the contact, this image of Ana smiling nearly stole my breath. It wasn’t a provocative picture by any means. She looked like a damn angel, dressed in a plain white summer dress with a sweet smile on her face. Nothing about the image screamed filthy, but Frankie made it that way, and I had to hold it together. As a man of great control, I didn’t outwardly react when I looked up at Frankie and wanted to shoot him myself. Joey was tied up and still was ready to pound his face in. Calmly, I called her back.
My phone buzzed back. She’s still inside the apartment, but there were some pieces of shit we had to chase away from the door.
They show up again, and you know what to do.
Understood.
I’ll be in touch.
“Uncle Joey,” she cried out with relief. “Please tell me you’re coming,” she sobbed. Her cries did something to me that I couldn’t quite process. She needed someone to protect her, but Joey had been demoted. I planned to take that role and on a whole new level. As soon as the idea popped into my head yesterday, my mood shifted and I reacted.
“Amore, someone will get you in ten minutes.” They were just down the street, but I was giving her a chance to run and see what happened. Also, I dared any of her enemies to pop up again while my guys lay in wait. “Wait in your apartment until you receive my call.”
“Who is this?” she answered so softly, voice laced with confusion and fear.
“Your fiancé.” The gasps were heard around the room. My eyes lifted not to Joey, who should be concerned that I just traded his niece for the debts, but to Frankie, who ogled my future wife with such disgusting disrespect. The color drained from Frankie’s face when I gave him a look he’d only seen from me before I executed someone.