Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Killian O’Leary is an old friend. He took over leading the O’Leary family for his father a couple years back. He’s had his hands full keeping his territory under control, but he’s managed to do it. That’s how this life goes, though. There are always assholes out there wanting what you have. You deal with them and make a statement each time so a man would have to either be stupid or have a death wish to challenge you.
Unfortunately, stupidity is a damn cancer in this world.
“We both know you wouldn’t have stopped anything with Belle—not even for me. You can’t keep your hands off her. That’s why you have three kids.”
“You’ve seen my wife. Can you blame me? Fuck, scratch that. I think it’s best we both pretend you’ve never seen my wife.”
“I’m telling you, I’ll clean out my bank account now. All you have to do is give her to me.”
“How many people do you fucking give that line to, DeLuca?” he asks, giving a dry laugh.
“I only do it when a woman is worth the risk of a man saying yes,” I admit.
“The answer will always be no.”
“I know, but you can’t blame a man for trying.”
“If it was any other man, I’d kill him. Tell me what’s going on?”
“Dracos Stratakis approached me with a business deal. Invited me to Greece for negotiations,” I begin.
“I can’t relate. I’m fighting tooth and nail to keep my damn territory. Ever since my father stepped down and revealed who I was, I’ve been dealing with bullshit after bullshit.”
“You’ll get it under control,” I tell him, and he will. I’ve been through that same crap when I took over for my father. You have to fight to prove yourself and leave no question in just how strong and ruthless you are.
“I am but fuck, it’s tiring.”
“I’m about to make your life easier.”
“I’m listening.”
“Does the name Doyle Kelly mean anything to you?”
“Other than he’s a fucking thorn in my side?”
“Dracos is looking for safe shipping into the US. We were brokering a deal through Miami and the asshole got me here to discuss particulars. Today, I’m told he’s made a more lucrative deal with Kelly.”
“Kelly is a two-bit operation. I’m shutting him down but he’s slicker than fuck. Which means, it’s taking longer than I’d like. What is it your man is looking to transport?” he asks, sounding confused.
I hesitate. I’m not much for discussing this shit, even if it’s on a secured phone. I know Killian is just as cautious as me. Hell, probably more so because he has a prison record, taking the hit to protect his father and family. He’s one of the few men that doesn’t work for me that I would trust without question.
“Just the things I normally deal in. This guy has good quality. It’s not worth this bullshit, though.”
“Well, I only ask because there’s only two things Kelly traffics and it’s not good.”
“How not good?” I ask. I’m starting to think that the bad feeling I’ve had since being in Greece has more reason than one.
“Drugs and flesh.”
“You’re fucking kidding me.”
“Wish I was. Kelly is one of the biggest sex traffickers around. That’s why I’ve been working hard to shut the motherfucker down. I don’t want that in my territory or around it.”
“I need to investigate Dracos and see exactly what he’s wanting to move. If that son of a bitch thought he could lie to me…”
“I couldn’t say, but I have connections over there. I could do some digging.”
“Sounds good. If you need help containing Doyle Kelly, I’m more than willing to send it.”
“I think I got it, but you’ll be the first I call.”
“Sounds good.”
We hang up and I lay back into the seat. Shit is going to have to change. This isn’t happening again. Dracos Stratakis has just bought himself a world of trouble.
melina
I shouldn’t be here. I know better. Apparently, today is my day for pushing the boundaries. Hell, maybe I have a death wish. That’s usually what happens when someone dares to defy my father. I’m convinced that I’m only alive because I’m his daughter. That’s not going to save me very much longer. That means, what I’m doing here is extremely dangerous.
This entire floor is my father’s dedicated offices. Only him, his men, and the people he invites are allowed here. Of course, my brothers are allowed up here, but I’m well aware that in my father’s eyes, I’m lacking. I was beneath him the moment I was born a girl.
I push those thoughts away. I’m here for one reason. I know my father keeps what my brother Aden refers to as a slush fund in the bottom drawer of his desk. He’s in a meeting today with some people from America. If I can slip in and get the money, it will help me to run away. Leaving on my own without money isn’t an option and father doesn’t give me an allowance or let me work. I don’t even get to pick the clothes on my back. I have always been a prisoner. I’ve fought against it—even revolted a time or two. I quickly learned that I’m trapped. Eventually, you give up trying. Instead, I began planning for the day I would get married. I assumed that my father would ship me off to college and I would be allowed to spread my wings there. I was wrong—very wrong.