Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“What?” she gasps. “A half a million?”
“Minus a hundred grand for your first payment on your debt,” I say and turn to wink at her with a smile.
“You should’ve led with that. I’m no gold digger, but I have dreams and aspirations that money will go a long way to obtain.”
“It’s not gold digging when you work for it. Besides, I don’t want to buy your loyalty, Oni. I want you to give it to me.”
I want to kick myself for how dirty that came out. From the view out of the corner of my eye, her chest begins to heave, and I know my words hit their mark just as they were said. I chide myself.
My uncle can’t pick up on any of this. Oni needs to come off as one of the guys. A driver with a set of skills I plan to put to use.
I pull into the gates at my father’s estate. He’s been here for a few days. Because of the deals I have coming in, he’ll be in Miami for the summer as well. I’m running point, but my father has all law enforcement around here in his pocket—I need that to pull this off.
He’ll be the one telling them when to turn a blind eye. I’ve dotted all my i’s and crossed all my t’s. Oni dropped into my lap at the right time. This works best with her.
As I pull up to the house, I notice Uncle Emilio’s Rolls-Royce. Just as I thought, I’m going to be forced to prove myself today. Oni needs to play her part to keep her uncle out of the middle of this.
I’m not forcing her to choose me. I’m getting her to protect her uncle, who only wants to protect her. When I find out who’s been telling my uncle my fucking business, they’re dead.
That’s my next order of business after I calm this storm. What the fuck is going on in my camp? Clearly, I need to step my shit up.
I park and look over at Oni. She’s perfect for the job. A little makeup and we’ll be able to play up her age. No one will suspect the young woman on my arm of anything I have coming.
“Come on. I have so much to teach you and a ton of money to make,” I say before I get out to open her door.
She gives me a bright smile. I have to fight not to lean in and finally taste those lips. I’m in so much trouble.
Oni
This house is so much bigger than the one Rico took me to last night. Its size alone makes me feel like I’m in over my head. I haven’t missed the fact that Rico is keeping his distance from me.
I’m not sure what that’s about, but I roll with it and keep my head held high. I have a task to do. I’m going to do it so I can get to my bag.
“Ah, you’re here,” a man who looks like an older version of Rico says as we walk into the sitting room.
My uncle is already seated in the room and there’s another man who looks like Rico here as well. My uncle stands and pulls me into his arms. He hugs me tight and kisses the top of my head.
I give him a tight squeeze as if to apologize for all the trouble I’ve caused. He releases me, and the man who greeted us places his hands on my shoulders. I look up into his eyes and they’re almost identical to Rico’s, the same hazel-gray color.
“How you doing, sweetheart? I’m Federico Gallo Sr. It is nice to meet you, Oni. You have left quite the impression,” the man says as he pulls me in to kiss both my cheeks.
The other man snorts and folds his arms across his chest. He hasn’t moved from his seat to greet us. Instead, he sits while looking me up and down as if he smells something funky.
I don’t know what his problem is or who the fuck he is, but I already don’t like him. Rico moves to greet him, and for the first time, the man pulls his gaze from me as he stands and pulls Rico into a hug by the back of his head as he whispers into Rico’s ear. Rico stiffens.
I swear I can see anger rolling off him, but he only steps back from the man and turns to me, lifting his hand to beckon me over with his fingers. There’s no tenderness in the gesture, as I have come to know. I step over to him and lift my head.
“This is Oni Raven. Jack Raven’s daughter. Oni, this is Emilio Gallo, my uncle.”
“Nice to meet you, sir,” I say politely.
Emilio looks me over once again. Something crosses his eyes so fast I barely catch it. He tilts his head as if in thought.