Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
I knew the area had been struggling for years since the casino collapse, rapid unemployment, and the usual crime that came along with it.
Though as I passed several interesting eateries that hadn’t been around when I’d visited last, I wondered if maybe it could become more of a foodie destination, rather than gambling one.
I had to imagine Remo saw a lot of potential to make major money in the area, if he chose it over other towns with less of a population decline and more year-round appeal.
Maybe he liked that the crime rate was a little iffy in areas. And that there wasn’t a huge foothold with any large criminal organizations in the town anymore.
I guess the next few years would tell what his plans were… and if he could accomplish them.
My hotel was all gleaming windows reaching high into the sky.
“Nice digs,” Domenico said as he pulled up next to me in the parking lot while I was pulling my suitcases out of the trunk.
I’d never packed so heavy in my life. But when no one had any information on how long this job was going to go for, I figured it was better to have more clothes than not enough. I didn’t want to constantly be waiting for dry cleaning.
Domenico, it seemed, packed lighter. But he wasn’t like me, always wearing suits, so he probably fit a lot more in his one medium-sized suitcase and duffle than I fit in two suitcases, a messenger bag, and a travel bag.
“You moving in?” Dom asked, eyeing my setup as I stacked my suitcases and travel bag before slinging the messenger bag over my shoulder.
“I got the feeling that this might be weeks, not days.”
“Probably,” he agreed. “This is more shit than I had to my name the whole time I was inside,” he said, shrugging.
“Did you get an ocean view too?” I asked as we started to walk toward the front door.
“Yeah. Luca sprang for a suite with a living room and shit.”
We made it through check-in then took the elevator up to our floor.
“At least we’re not right next to each other. Don’t need to hear it if you bring someone back to your room.”
With that, Dom made his way down the hall to his room as I let myself into mine.
I was instantly met with a wall of windows overlooking the sea, making the very white suite feel less stark.
I walked into the sitting room featuring a few different chairs and sofas in shades of blue with a small kitchenette that included a small counter, sink, fridge, and a microwave.
I rolled my suitcases through to the bedroom.
The all-white theme continued, but the coffered ceiling, intricate millwork, and chandelier made it feel elevated and elegant. The tile floor had a subtle design in a golden shade, and I decided I immediately preferred the tile to the dubiously clean carpeting.
The bed itself was king-sized and offered a padded headboard, a seating ottoman at the foot, and lush linen bedding.
I left most of my luggage in the bedroom, taking only the travel bag into the bathroom.
Again, with the white. But there were crown moldings, millwork, mullioned windows, a soaking tub, and a deep shower niche. The floors and shower featured marble with light gold veining, and gold accents were on the knobs, faucets, and wall sconces.
It was a nice place to spend a few weeks.
I spent the next half an hour hanging up my suits and organizing my toiletries while calling to tell Luca we’d made it, checked in, and were just waiting for Remo to make contact.
Then, restless, I grabbed my keycard, left my real phone, took my burner, and made my way down the hall toward Domenico’s room.
I knocked, and it was just a few seconds before the door opened.
“Wanna explore?”
“Sure,” he agreed. “Place looks dead as fuck, but I’m sure we can find something to do.”
If nothing else, the casinos were always operating.
We were only about halfway to the door when two men stood up from chairs in the lobby waiting area. Both were tall, well-groomed, dark-haired, and dark-eyed. They buttoned their jackets, but not before I spotted the guns in their shoulder holsters.
Dom must have clocked it the same time I did because his arm went out, catching me across the midsection.
“Milo, Domenico,” one of the men said before either of us could reach for our own weapons. “Remo sent us to get you.”
The tension slipped out of our bodies as we followed the two men out the front doors.
We weren’t led to waiting cars.
We just walked in silence down the nearly empty pier, looking conspicuous as hell. But the guys didn’t seem the least bit bothered, so I forced myself to keep my shoulders relaxed so we didn’t draw any more attention to ourselves than necessary.
When we turned toward a massive, old, abandoned-looking mall, Dom and I shared a look but followed the guys in through the doors.