Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
8
Lorenzo
“She just passed out,” I say out loud, glancing at Vanessa.
One minute, she was freaking out, and the next, she went quiet. If it wasn’t for her chest rising and falling, I’d assume she had a heart attack and died.
“You need to take her to your place,” Dani says over Bluetooth after obviously listening to Matteo’s and my conversation. “I know you’re upset with her—and rightfully so—but you’ll never forgive yourself if—”
“Yeah, I know.” I might hate what she did, but I’d never let a woman be put in harm’s way.
“I’ll meet you at your place as soon as I bring Dani home,” Matteo says. “Should I bring Leo with me?”
“Not yet.” I sigh.
I was looking forward to spending the afternoon with my son, but the last thing I want is him being caught in the middle of this shitstorm. He’s too young to understand most of what’s going on, but I don’t know what’s going to go down when we get to my condo. At least at Dani and Matteo’s place, I know he’s safe.
We hang up, and I drive home, pulling into the private underground garage. Since Vanessa still hasn’t woken up, I leave my luggage in my trunk and carry her into the elevator and up to my condo, which is on the tenth floor. Since I own the building, I kept the top two floors for myself and built a badass five-thousand-square-foot penthouse.
My plan was always to meet a woman, get married, and raise a family here since I love living downtown. I haven’t met the right woman yet, but at least I have more than enough space for me and Leo.
I’ve only just laid Vanessa on the couch when my phone buzzes with a call from my doorman.
“Hello?”
“Good morning, Mr. Russo,” Geoff says. “Mr. Vanderbilt is here to see you. He says he’s here on official business, and he’s demanding I let him up.”
“He’s full of shit.” I scoff. “Don’t let him anywhere near that elevator. I’ll be right down.”
I hang up, take one last glance at Vanessa, who’s still passed out, and head to the elevator. After the shit she pulled, I want to throw her ass to the wolves and wipe my hands clean of her. I have enough going on between running Russo Property Group, raising my son on my own, and dealing with the psycho bitch, Leysa Santiago, who’s coming after everyone, including my sister since she’s married to Matteo.
But my bleeding fucking heart won’t let me do it. Matteo always makes fun of me for being too nice, and I hate that he’s right. But at thirty-six years old, I’m not changing who I am.
The door is barely open when Eric is stalking toward me and getting in my face. “Where is she?” he demands.
“Who?” I play stupid.
“My stepdaughter! My men told me she’s here. Where is she?”
“None of your fucking business,” I say calmly.
“If you don’t bring her down here right now—”
“You’ll do what?” I bark out a laugh.
Not many people piss me off, but Eric has been trying to fuck with us and our businesses since he was elected mayor. And I can put up with a lot of shit, but when you fuck with my family or my businesses, I draw the line.
“I’ll—”
“You’ll back the fuck up,” Matteo says, stepping between Eric and me with a gun pointed at the mayor’s forehead.
“The deal has already been made,” the mayor whines, sweat dotting his forehead. “Please, I just need my stepdaughter, and I’ll leave.”
“Oh, is that all you need?” Matteo mocks, glancing at Geoff. “I’m going to need you to leave. Don’t want to force you to witness anything you’ll have to lie about later.”
Geoff nods and rushes out, knowing exactly who Matteo is.
Two of Matteo’s men close the lobby door and then stand in front of it—one remaining inside while the other stands outside—so nobody can get in or out.
Another one presses a button on the elevator, probably shutting it down so nobody can use it, and another one goes to the side entrance to block it.
“You’re going to regret this!” Eric barks.
“I don’t think I will.” Matteo shrugs. “Now, if you want your stepdaughter, you’re going to have to tell us why … and I suggest you go with the truth because if I catch you lying, I’m going to put a bullet in your brain and end this conversation.”
Since the mayor is focused on Matteo, I slip my phone out and press record so we’ll have evidence of this conversation in case we need it later.
“Santiago,” Eric breathes, shaking like a leaf. “He donated to my campaign. But even with the millions he contributed, I wasn’t going to win. Paul was the town favorite, especially since his father had been the previous mayor. So, Santiago took him out in exchange for me agreeing to push you and your brother out of town.”