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)
Unlike his brother, I like the old man. He has been nothing but nice to me. I sag in relief as my uncle regains control and begins to pace and mumble to himself.
“Can you get to your point?” I say dryly.
“You have become my nephew’s one and only weakness. I know Rico. There is no getting rid of you. Only in death will he leave you alone—”
“So you do plan to kill me.”
“If you would stop cutting me off, I could explain to you what my intentions are,” he says in frustration.
“Okay, fine. Speak.”
“Neither of youse are ready. Rico needs more time to rise into his role. You need to learn not to end up like this.” He points to me in the bed.
“You are sixteen. There’s plenty of time to get involved with Rico and become the woman he needs by his side. However, now isn’t the time. You will both be dead within a year at this rate.
“Your own friends will be your undoing. I need you to take a step back from Rico because he doesn’t know how to do it on his own. If you do as I say, you will want for nothing and when the time is right, you will be right back in his arms,” Emilio says.
“Why should I trust you? How do I know you’re not trying to get rid of me so you can marry Rico off to Juliana?”
“Juliana Abato isn’t good enough for my nephew. She and her father are going to die like the filthy pigs they are. You can trust me because I’m sending you to my home with my brother and daughter.”
I look to Fredrico curiously. He gives me a weak smile. I lick my dry lips and try to figure out what’s not being said. I know better than to believe Emilio is doing this out of the kindness of his heart.
“What do you want in return?”
“The only thing I ask is that you don’t contact Rico until I tell you it’s allowed. That means absolutely no contact, Oni. None.”
“What? What if he reaches out to me? Am I just supposed to ignore him and act like he doesn’t exist?”
“Exactly. You can do things my way and give your mother a daughter to be proud of, or break my trust and lose it all—including my nephew and the security of my family. Trust me, you won’t survive more than a month.
“Your mother and uncle will be left to bury you—or worse. You’re going to drag them into your mess. Think about this carefully, Oni,” he replies.
I think of my mom. All she wants is for me to be safe. I can’t go back to her like this. It will break her heart.
I gasp. “Wait. He will only let go of me in death. You plan to tell him I died,” I say. It’s not a question; I know it’s the truth.
I give this deeper thought. Could this be what’s best? I don’t want to be a distraction to Rico, and I don’t want to be the cause of my uncle or mom getting hurt.
It would be selfish of me not to take this offer. I chew on my lip as I try to see how this could go south. The worse that could happen would be losing my mom or Uncle Claude. Rico might be angry, but that’s a chance I’m willing to take for the safety of my family.
My heart aches just thinking about it. I love Rico, but look what’s been happening to me since we’ve been together.
“Okay,” I whisper.
CHAPTER 24
Destroyed
Rico
My entire body feels like I’ve been hit by a truck. My head has been throbbing, and this shit they have dripping into my arm isn’t doing a damn thing for the pain. However, the pain in my chest is what’s unbearable.
Something is wrong. Since I became conscious, no one will tell me anything about Oni. I need to know she’s okay.
My father entered my room with his head bandaged and his face bruised, but he wouldn’t look me in the eyes. That isn’t like Pop. I know he’s not telling me something.
“Good, you’re up,” Uncle Emilio says as he enters my hospital room.
“I’ve been in and out,” I murmur.
“How are you feeling? You need anything?”
“Yeah, I need to know what’s going on with Oni. Why is everyone avoiding giving me answers about her?”
He sighs and moves to sit in the chair. I follow him with my gaze as I swallow hard. There’s a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
My heart is pounding double time, causing the machine to beep faster. My uncle looks at the monitor and frowns then turns his eyes to me. I clench my fists as it’s all I can do.
“Rico, I wanted to be the one to tell you. I will forever be grateful to Oni. Because of her, Emilia is still with us.