Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
“Fuck,” I suppress a groan and quickly set her down on her feet. “Pain.”
“Shit, I’m sorry.” She steps backward, then gives me a heartbroken look. “I swear I fried half my microchips looking for you. What happened to your phone and watch?”
“They were smashed with a hammer.”
Worry creases her eyebrows, and she glances at the other men before her gaze stops on Enzo, whom she used to have a huge crush on. “That’s not good. I need to figure out another way of tracking you all.”
Rosie turns her head back to me, then something behind me catches her attention, and her eyes narrow.
When I look over my shoulder, I see Nina and Simi. Nina gives me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I heard you say you’re in pain and just wanted to check on you.”
Reaching for her, I pull her closer to me by the back of her neck. “Rosie just tackled me. I’m okay.” I move past Rosie, then call out, “Can I have everyone’s attention.” My loved ones stop talking, and once they’re all focused on me, I say, “This is Nina and Simi. They’re mine. Simi doesn’t speak English, so please keep that in mind.” I glance over the most important people in my life. “Don’t ask Nina any questions. She is not the enemy but under my protection. Treat her the way you would treat each other. I want her to feel at home as soon as possible.”
“Well, that sums it up in a nutshell,” Enzo mutters while chuckling.
“Yours?” Christiano, the capo dei capi and Enzo’s older brother, asks. “You claimed Boris Pavlov’s daughter and grandchild?”
I lock eyes with him. “Yes. They belong to me. End of story.”
“And what about Pavlov?” Christiano asks.
I gesture at Rosie. “Once I’ve taken some time to recover, Rosie and I will work together to find the bastard. That will be my sole focus until he’s dead.”
“That’s enough talk of work,” Aunt Gabriella, Christiano’s mother, says as she comes toward me. “The rest of us would like to check on Georgi.” When she reaches me, she brings her hand to my left arm. I notice how Nina tenses, her eyes locking on where the bandage is.
I turn my body sideways and hug Aunt Gabriella with my right arm instead.
“I’m so happy you’re back with us,” she says before she pulls away from me to look at Nina. “I’m Gabriella Falco. Welcome to the family, Nina.” She smiles at Simi, then looks at Nina again. “I’ll be in touch so we can get to know each other better.”
Nina only nods, her shoulders curving forward while she holds Simi tighter.
“I want down, Mama,” Simi says.
“Not, now, milo moe,” Nina whispers, her voice hoarse. “It’s not safe.”
“Raya,” I say to get my sister’s attention. When she comes to me, I tip my head at Nina. “Will you show them to the guest room beside mine. I think Nina would like to rest after the long flight.”
“Of course,” Raya replies, already giving Nina a comforting smile.
My eyes touch on Nina’s. “Take your time getting settled and unpack.”
“Okay,” she whispers obediently.
I wait for them to disappear up the stairs to the second floor, then smile at my loved ones. “Shit’s been a bit crazy.”
“I bet,” Uncle Dario, Rosie's father, says. He comes to pat my right shoulder. “Talking about shit. You’ve looked better. Are you okay, son?”
“Yeah. Just banged up.”
Everyone takes a moment to exchange a few words with me before they slowly start to leave.
“Just so you know, I’m going to work on getting implants for you all,” Rosie mentions as she walks toward the elevator.
A couple of us groan because once Rosie gets it in her head to do something, we have no choice but to go along.
“And how much is that going to cost me?” Enzo asks as he wraps his arm around her shoulders.
“Hah. Christiano will be footing the bill,” she retorts.
“Lucky me,” our capo dei capi grumbles.
My parents hang back, and once it’s only us, Mom asks, “What can we do to help?”
“Just give me some time with Nina. She’s…traumatized is a too light word.” I shake my head. “The shit she survived…”
“And what about you?” Dad asks. “You went through hell as well, Georgi.” When my lips part to tell him I’m fine, he levels me with a scowl. “Don’t even try to play it off as nothing. I can see it in your eyes. Something happened that you’re not telling us.”
I suck in a deep breath, then admit, “You’re right.”
Mom gasps and gives me a very worried look.
I glance away from them as flashes of Nina being pinned down and raped bombard my mind.
The helplessness I felt was crippling.
Clearing my throat, I say, “I can’t talk about it. Ever.”
“Jesus.” Mom covers her mouth with her hands, her eyes wide with fear.