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)
“This was never on my or anyone else in my family’s hands, so take your threats and drop them at Sullivan’s door where they belong,” Emilio snaps.
I rock back on my heels. So that’s the real problem. Emilio may have gotten over Jack and Brenda, but he never got over Jack and Finn Sullivan. What does that have to do with Oni?
Oni
Pure fire is running through my shoulder. Slowly, I open my eyes and look around to figure out where I am. I blink a few times.
I’m in a dimly lit room. As I focus, a beeping sound catches my ear. I turn my head and realize I’m in a hospital room.
Swallowing hard, I try to remember what happened. Emilia … she got out of the truck. I groan and lift a hand to my head.
“Shit,” I murmur.
My mouth feels so dry. How long have I been here? Is everyone else safe?
Rico was still unconscious when I got out of the back seat of the car to get to Emilia. I saw the moment one of the guys locked his focus on her and aimed. I’ve never been more fearful in my life.
I took him out as I raced for her, but I don’t remember anything after that. My head is pounding as much as my shoulder is burning. My mom is going to kill me.
I’m in way over my head now. Uncle Claude is going to strangle me. Maybe Rico is right, it’s time for me to go back home.
As soon as I have that thought, panic races through me. New York doesn’t feel like home anymore. It feels more like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off the moment I return.
I try to think of why I have that feeling so strongly. I can’t put my finger on the answer, but I know my feelings are valid. Trying harder, I push to grab onto the nagging thoughts hiding in the back of my mind.
“You’re awake.”
I look to the door to find Fredrico Sr. and Uncle Emilio standing in the doorway. It was Emilio who spoke. He is also the first to enter.
Fredrico comes and places a kiss on my cheek as he reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. I look into his eyes and note a sadness that’s not normally there. My heart begins to race.
Did something happen to Rico? Is Emilia okay? Did something happen to one of the other guys?
I have so many questions running through my head. The machine starts beeping like crazy. Fredrico gives my hand another squeeze. Just then, Uncle Claude comes into the room.
“Relax, Oni. We just need to speak with you,” Fredrico says.
“How are you feeling, cub?” Uncle Claude asks, also looking sad.
“I’m fine. I’d be better if you guys didn’t come in here looking like someone died. What’s going on?”
Emilio clears his throat, drawing my attention. I look to him as he sits calmly in the chair in the corner of the room.
“First, I want to thank you for what you did for my daughter. I wasn’t expecting that. It’s hard to catch me by surprise, but you have continued to do so since you arrived.”
I go to fold my arms under my breasts, but the movement causes my shoulder to burn with a new ferocity. I wince and move the arm connected to the burning shoulder back to my side. However, I don’t take my glare off Emilio.
“Emilia is my friend. I wasn’t going to allow her to be hurt or worse. I did what needed to be done.”
Emilio nods. “You have a lot of heart. My brother and Rico are right, you’re very smart. Smart enough to make more of your life than stealing cars.”
“You mean smart enough to stay away from your nephew before you have me killed or some shit,” I bite out.
Emilio chuckles as he tilts his head and stares at me. “You have misunderstood me. I believe Rico has too. My intentions have always been to see how you both would handle pressure. Whether either of you was ready for what this world would bring your way.
“I knew my nephew was in love with you from the time you stepped into Fredrico’s sitting room. Rico was trying too hard to make it seem as if you meant nothing. When I told him you could never be more than a bed toy, he almost lost it.”
“You said what?” Uncle Claude growls.
Emilio waves him off. “I told him Oni was just a piece of ass. Nothing could ever come of him and some black girl,” he says the words so nonchalantly and shrugs.
“Asshole,” I say under my breath.
Fredrico has to restrain my uncle as he tries to lunge at Emilio. A part of me hopes Uncle Claude will knock Fredrico over to get to this asshole. The other part of me notices the bruise on Fredrico’s face and bandage on his head and hopes he doesn’t get hurt.