Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 251(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 251(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Enzo nodded his approval. Thank goodness, the idiot had managed to follow them. Alessia had sold out the family. She would regret that decision.
“Get a team together and make the group a powerful one. I am going as well. I want to see that traitor’s face when we burn her new boyfriend’s place to the ground with him in it. Go!”
“I’ve already decided exactly who to choose, Boss. I’ll need a few days to get them here, but I don’t think she’ll flee. If I’m right, she lives there with him.” Frankie thrust his hand through his hair and met Enzo’s gaze directly. “I’ll enjoy dragging her here and teaching her a lesson. Alessia doesn’t deserve the polite treatment I’ve given her in respect of her Costa lineage.”
After nodding his agreement and dismissing Frankie, Enzo stared daggers at the large man’s back as henchman headed out the door. The hothead would take care of his sister for him. Enzo could have saved the bonus, but he’d let Frankie use it to pay the priest for the marriage fees. Frankie would retaliate for his sister’s defiance and affiliation with the enemy.
Enzo lifted his glass and took another slow sip, relishing the burn as the bourbon worked its way down his throat. Nobody left the family.
Titus eased the sleek Mercedes 550 SL convertible down the winding path that led to his home. Well, his and Alessia’s house now. He reveled in the thought as he glanced toward her. Titus focused his attention back to the road and the group of men gathered to greet him as he pulled into the driveway.
Alessia sat a little straighter in her seat as the car came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs that led to the front door of her new home. “Were you expecting company this late?”
Titus smiled as he recognized the men. He patted her thigh to reassure her. “No, Little mate, these are friends I’ve invited to stay with us for a while to help keep our place safe from your brother. I don’t want anything to happen to you, and it’s best to add a bit more protection until things settle down.”
After stepping out of the vehicle, Titus made his way around the car to open Alessia’s door and offer her his hand. “Come, let’s greet our new guests.”
Alessia’s teeth clicked together, and he suspected she struggled to prevent her jaw from dropping as they approached a gigantic man with a flowing mane of black hair with one gray streak dramatically parting the center of his tresses and a salt-and-pepper beard. The leader of the group, he was dressed in an extremely expensive dark gray suit with an open-collar black linen shirt. Titus had never seen Conri and Marcus together but suspected Conri was as big as Marcus, maybe bigger.
The man smiled broadly at both Titus and Alessia as he moved toward them, extending his hand to Titus. “Titus, my friend, so glad to see you again!” His voice boomed through the night air with a strong British accent.
Titus grasped the man’s hand in a firm shake in return. Both men had broad, playful grins on their faces as each tried to outdo the other with crushing grips. With a growl, they released their hands and gathered each other into a hug, slapping backs in greeting.
Breaking the embrace, Titus retreated a step to scan his friend from head to toe. “Conri, you dog! You didn’t have to rush over here from across the Pond. When I spoke to you last, you sounded like you were settling into the pub. I said you had a few days, but I appreciate seeing you, my friend. Welcome to my humble abode.”
Conri’s eyes twinkled, “And why would we spend our money when we can come here and drink your whiskey?”
Laughing, Conri stepped back with a flourish and waved his hand as an introduction to the rest of the men standing behind him. “Besides, the boys and I love a nice hunt.” Conri turned his head to glance at the house. “Marvelous place you have here, Titus! I particularly love the Roman centurion spearmen statues you have by the stairs. The formality of the art makes for an impressive entrance.”
Titus grinned at the compliment. “Thank you. You know me, I always enjoy collecting art pieces.”
Turning his attention to Alessia, Conri gave a slight bow and extended his hand once more. “And who is this lovely lady?”
Titus chuckled. “Mine, Conri. Allow me the pleasure of introducing you to Alessia, my mate. Alessia, this is Conri. He and his friends are from Europe and are in town to add a bit more security to the grounds until we can settle things with your brother. They’ll be staying in the guesthouse while they’re here.”
Alessia gingerly took the monstrous hand Conri offered. Titus approved of the large man’s gentler touch with his mate. Conri gripped her fingers as if he were holding a delicate, porcelain teacup. “Pleased to meet you, Conri. Thank you for your help. My brother and I aren’t on the best of terms.”