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)
That’s just problem number one. I have on a thong and when I walk, I can feel my butt jiggling, so I know anyone looking hard enough will see it. That’s problem number two.
“You had this all planned,” I say to Emilia. “You went through my things and found this outfit, then you told Rico we would meet them there, knowing he would agree because we need to keep our distance. Are you really on our side?”
I narrow my eyes as I glare at her. I might end up breaking up with Rico because I’m going to kick his cousin’s ass for setting me up. She gives me a mischievous smile and pops up on the counter to sit and look back at me.
“I love my cousins with all I am. Those three always have my back. I would go to the ends of the earth for them.
“Rico and the rest of us know you present something he’s never had to deal with. You’re a weakness. He either learns to deal with it now, or it will come back to burn him later. I’m only helping him to learn his limits.” She shrugs.
I suck my teeth and roll my eyes. “Why me if I’m such a problem?”
“Because Rico has never looked at anyone the way he looks at you. You have to understand Rico has had his eyes set on my father’s seat for as long as I can remember. Papa wants to give it to him, but he wants to know he’s ready.
“My father has tried his hardest to trip Rico up with anything that would turn his head. He has never succeeded and then you show up and from what my father says, Rico turned his head.
“I don’t know why you.” She shrugs. “You’re pretty and smart. Rico loves to have smart people around him.
“If you’re a thinker, he either makes you a friend or treats you like an enemy. You know what happens to enemies. But you heard none of that from me.”
“Why tell me any of this?”
“I told you. I like you. I think you’re good for Rico. Besides, no one realizes how much I know. I’m to be seen and not heard, but you … I think you’re here to change all that.”
“I’m not too sure about that,” I murmur.
“We’ll see. Come on, Rico’s going to have a fit if we take too long to arrive,” she says and hops down off the counter.
“Oh, goody,” I cheer under my breath.
This is going to be a long night. I just hope I make it back without witnessing a murder or being killed myself. Why do I get myself into these situations?
***
Mario is waiting outside the club for us. It’s not at all what I was expecting. It’s an old warehouse-looking building. A bunch of nice cars are parked outside like some type of car show. Cars I would normally case to take before the end of the night.
However, since my boyfriend is here and I’m trying to live a reformed life, I walk by the Lambos, Maseratis, and Aston Martins with appreciation. My palms itch, but I keep chanting in my head that I’m done with stealing cars.
“This is going to be an issue,” Mario mutters and shakes his head as we get to his side.
He turns to the bouncer and gives a nod. We go to follow him in, but I take one last look over my shoulder at the cars and the crowd still outside the club, seeming to be having their own party. There is one guy who catches my attention as he sits on the hood of one of the cars, taking me in.
I shake off the eerie vibe that comes over me and head inside. The music is thumping as we enter the club. There are people everywhere. Mario takes Emilia’s hand, and she reaches for mine.
I follow them through the crowd to a set of stairs that lead down to another level. The lighting changes as we enter what seems like a totally different party. We keep going until we get to the back where I see Rico, Aldo, and Eduardo sitting, surrounded by girls.
“What the fuck?” I whisper to myself.
I ball my fist at my side and get ready to turn to leave. Emilia tugs at my hand to stop me. She leans into my ear and tries to talk over the music.
“It’s not what you think. Don’t react like that. He’s testing you too,” she says.
I take in a deep breath and think her words over. For as long as I’ve known him, he’s been testing me. If that’s what this is, okay. It’s go time. I’ll show him just how I’ll handle this.
CHAPTER 11
Drama
Rico
“Let’s go,” Ed calls as he downs a drink and grabs the girl closest to him to stand and dance with.