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)
I couldn’t help the eerie feeling I got seeing them. I wanted to jump from the wheelchair and run after them to see where they were going. Were they looking for me or Rico?
Fredrico assured me everything would be okay. He helped me into Emilio’s car, which would be transporting me to the house where everyone was waiting so we could get ready to leave. I was angry to learn Juliana got away. I wish I had gotten a chance to pop her head off her shoulders before I went down.
Now I’m just angry and sad. I knew Emilio would find a way to drive a wedge between us, but I didn’t realize he would get me to go along with it. The man is always ten steps ahead of everyone.
I’m going along with this, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Rico will have to understand that I did this for him. He wants the world, and I want it for him. I deserve an Oscar for the act I’m putting on to get through this.
Even Emilio seems impressed with how unbothered I am. Rico and I were the delusional ones in all of this, thinking we could hide anything from this man. In the past few days, I’ve come to see that more and more.
Our foolishness is why I’m on this plane headed to Italy. I have no one but myself to blame. It’s a mistake I will never make again. Emilio is someone I will always keep an eye on from now on.
“You sure you don’t want anything?” Emilio asks from across the aisle of the private jet.
Yup, the man ended up following us. I’m not sure what that’s about, but Fredrico seems more than annoyed about something. The brothers have been at odds since the day they walked into my hospital room, and I was given the ultimatum.
“No, I’m fine,” I reply.
“We had a big breakfast,” Fredrico Sr. says.
True to his word, he’s looking after me. Once we had a moment alone, he promised he would do everything in his power to look out for me and make sure I got back to Rico someday. He also promised I wouldn’t be a sacrificed pawn in all of this.
We all know Emilio is moving pieces on the board according to his plan, not any of ours. Emilio grunts in response to his brother. I ignore them both and go back to the magazine I’ve been flipping through.
I flip the pages as hard as I want to flip Emilio. Emilia sits on the other side of her father, looking like a frightened bird. She’s been this way since I got out of the hospital.
If she thanks me one more time for saving her life, I might take it myself. She’s driving me crazy. Isn’t this her world? Shouldn’t she be used to all of this?
“You will learn a lot on this trip,” Emilio says, breaking me from my thoughts. “You are Fredrico’s assistant, no?
“You should know how the big boys do things. Stealing cars and trafficking are child’s play.
“You should be honored. We haven’t allowed Rico to learn any of what you are about to embark on. You pout now; you will thank me later.”
I narrow my eyes at him, still not sure what his endgame is. I get he wants his nephew to toughen up, but my gut keeps telling me there’s more to it. Fredrico snorts, drawing my attention to him.
He has a deep scowl on his face. I also get that he understands his brother more than I do. They are both holding cards Rico and I can’t see.
At this point, I’m ready to be done with the whole family. Rico can have his empire. Emilio can have his precious nephew, and I can take my Black ass home.
Home. I don’t have one of those anymore. If I go back, I’m putting everyone in danger. I’ve been trying to connect the dots there.
I believe the Sullivans had something to do with that shoot-out. I know where I know Juliana from, which tells me my gut feeling is right.
“Do you know why I respected and loved your father?” Emilio asks, halting my thoughts.
I jerk my head back in surprise. I knew Fredrico Sr. knew my dad. However, this is new news to me.
“What? You knew my father?”
“Yes, we were once the best of friends. I know your mother too. We were once family.
“Don’t think my family is so weak we would have allowed you to get away with that stunt you pulled in New York otherwise. I would have killed you myself.”
“You’re not going to keep threatening me,” I bite out.
He chuckles. “Relax, Oni. I’m not your enemy. I am only stating a fact.”
“Same.”
“You are so much like him. Your father always said what he thought too. That’s why we got along.