Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Pain slices straight through my chest, knowing they laughed behind my back while they plotted everything.
Heather grabs a file off her desk and throws it at me. Before I can catch it, the papers spill to the floor. “Your salary’s being withheld to cover everything you’ve stolen from petty cash. I have footage showing only you handled the box and will turn it over to the police if you cause a scene.” The corner of her mouth lifts higher. “That includes the security footage of you breaking into the office around one a.m. this morning to live here like a squatter after I fired you yesterday.”
My ears start ringing as the final blow to my already shitty life knocks me a step backward. My voice is hoarse as I whisper, “You can’t do that.”
“I absolutely can.” With the cruel smirk still on her face, she steps around her desk and gives me a daring look. “Who do you think the cops are going to believe, my family and me or little ol’ you?”
“I worked for my paycheck.” Panic claws violently up my throat. “I need that money. Just give it to me, and I’ll leave without causing any trouble.”
Heather’s expression turns ice cold until she looks at me like I’m nothing but a cockroach she’d love to squash beneath her high heels. “You won’t get another cent out of me. You are not my problem any longer.”
For a second, all I hear is my own breathing as reality closes around me so tightly it feels suffocating.
I have nowhere to go.
No paycheck.
No place to stay.
No way out.
Something inside me starts cracking under the pressure, and then it splits my chest wide open, allowing rage, hatred, and desperation to pour in like a tidal wave.
“I don’t deserve you treating me like this!” I snap as I take a threatening step forward. “I’ve given my all to this company and your pathetic brother. Give me my paycheck.”
She narrows her eyes and points her finger at me. “You didn’t do anything worthwhile. You were tolerated because Austin felt sorry for you.”
Knowing how Austin really felt makes shame crawl beneath my skin. While I gave everything I had, he viewed me as nothing more than a charity case.
Heather picks up the phone, then her index finger hovers over the nine. “Get out or I’m calling the police.”
I stand still for several seconds because I genuinely don’t know where to go, but then my pride wins out. I stalk away, and grabbing my suitcase from the cupboard, I hurry out of the office.
Once I’m darting down the sidewalk, the chaotic mess in my chest gets the better of me. I burst into tears as my entire life collapses around me.
Chapter 5
Adriano
I didn’t get to follow Laurie last night because Remo and Valentina insisted I come over for dinner.
Their place is in Manhattan, so I crashed at the penthouse suite I have on retainer at The Mark, a five-star hotel, seeing as I’m meeting with Christiano, our capo dei capi, this morning.
Before he took over from Uncle Damiano, there was talk that the title would pass to me because I’m the eldest out of all the kids.
However, Uncle Damiano was adamant about keeping the title in his bloodline, and honestly, I was relieved. Christiano was born for the position, and I don’t have to deal with all the businesses.
Being the older brother to the other twelve sons and daughters of the Cosa Nostra is enough for me.
Growing up, I was the one who made sure no one looked for shit with the younger kids. Now that most are married and settled, I’ve been able to take a step back from being an overprotective older brother and focus more on myself.
“Remo seems very happy,” Little Ricky mentions as we drive toward the warehouse where Christiano’s main office is situated.
“He does.” Happy for my brother, the corner of my mouth lifts. “Being with Valentina is a dream come true for him.”
Christiano killed Valentina’s husband when he found out the fucker was beating his sister. It was a good day, and since then Remo’s been glued to her side, taking on the role of father to her two kids.
Little Ricky stops the SUV in front of the warehouse, and my eyes sweep over Christiano’s men. I see Nico standing with a group, and when I get out of the vehicle, I give Christiano’s head of security a chin lift.
While Little Ricky walks toward Nico, I go into the warehouse. I tap my knuckles on the door as I step into Christiano’s office. Lifting his head, he spots the wooden box in my hand, and a grin spreads over his face.
“Fuck, you actually managed to get it,” he says.
When I scowl at him, he chuckles. “Not that I doubted you for a second.”