Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
The idea that Pocher, and even my father, believe that they’ll control us through oil deals and alliances is expected and misplaced. The idea that my father’s ultimate rise to power is about us, not my father, is another story. “Get to the point,” I order.
“They now know the bull they will awaken if I’m put down.”
“You mean Kane.”
“Of course, I mean, Kane.” His tone is arrogant. In fact, I’d say he’s the epitome of arrogance which translates to fool, and it’s that very quality that has placed him right here on my couch, waiting to die. And he can’t even see the truth of the matter, but then his type of fool never sees anything but their own self-proclaimed glamour. As if proving my point, he adds, “I’ve decided my son doesn’t need to take over, not yet. Imagine the power we have with him on the inside of their operation and me at the helm of the cartel.”
“It’s funny how you think you have any say in anything right now.”
He leans forward, sets the glass on the table, and his elbows land on his knees. “Think about it, Lilah. Kane will have the breathing room to reach beyond Pocher and destroy the Society.” He grins with pearly white teeth. Wherever he’s been hiding, the cosmetic services were plentiful. “He won’t be his little bitch.” He slaps his legs, apparently highly amused with himself before he points a finger at me, “And as a bonus, everyone who claimed Kane was running the cartel, will eat a whole lot of crow. I’m here. I was never gone. They were just stupid.”
“Stupid calling people stupid,” I say. “Priceless.”
And that’s when the real Roberto decides to show himself. He’s on his feet in a blink, and headed my direction.
This is going to be fun.
Chapter Ten
By the time the kingpin has rounded the table, he’s reaching for me, but much to his surprise, the blade I’d palmed with the whiskey bottle is immediately at his throat. He freezes as I pierce his skin, and the blood oozing down his throat is my sweet reward. This night only gets better. Seconds tick by and I wait for him to use his big body for leverage, welcome it even. That’s when he becomes useless to me and my blade goes in his belly.
Time stretches and we just stand together, one move from a deadly ending. I could kill him. I should kill him, but the idea that he reclaims the role of kingpin, rather than Kane, is a drug better than any he’s ever sold before tonight.
Abruptly, he lifts his hands in surrender, and with gut wrenching regret, I allow him to back away. “I’m giving you space,” he declares.
The desire to kill him burns inside me, and the idea that I chose not to is already ripe and punishing. It’s just plain pissing me off. I motion to the couch, irritation in my tone. “Go sit your ass down.”
His eyes meet mine, dark and piercing. “I didn’t believe you, but you like it, don’t you? Killing. Blood.”
“Oh, sit down, Roberto. If I needed a therapist, I’d go get a pie. You won’t need either if you test me.”
His chest lifts with a breath and he shakes his head in disbelief before he rounds the table and sits down. I claim my seat across from him and pour him another drink. “Go ahead. Drink it. It’s likely your last drink. Or don’t. I don’t give two fucks. But please be stupid enough to make me regret letting you live.”
His gaze narrows on my face, seconds of his inspection bleeding into action. He downs the drink as if he doesn’t want to piss me off. Good plan. “Do you know why I like to stab bad people?” I ask.
“Justice?”
“I guess that’s a politically correct answer, right?”
His brow arches. “What’s the not so politically correct answer?”
“Necessity. And you know how I came to that conclusion?”
“Why do I feel this is a trap of some sort?”
I go on as if he hasn’t spoken. “The Society hired someone to drug me, rape me, and kill me. Kane came home early and saved me, and as he held the bastard, I just couldn’t help myself. I stabbed him. Over. And over. And over again. Put that on repeat. I didn’t stop until Kane pulled me off of him.” I tilt my head to study him. “Was that one of your men, Roberto?”
He actually pales. “It was not. I did not know.”
The solemn way he says those words tells me nothing. He’s a monster. He’s a liar. He’s better off dead. The world is better off with him dead. “I see. Well, if it would have been you, I was going to thank you. It changed me. It molded me. And I’m going to use what was created to kill them all. Not in rage. Not in revenge. In calculated necessity. And you, Roberto, would be good to remember what I say next. If you hurt those I love, my brother, my husband, innocent people close to me, innocent people in general, I will come for you. I will kill you. I will enjoy it. Are we clear?”