Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
I was getting ready for bed when my phone buzzed, I glanced down at the screen and saw a text from an unknown number.
My heart pounded as I replayed the moment I’d acknowledged my stalker in the bar. Somehow, I knew the message was from him.
You had fun tonight.
How did you get this number?
How did you know who it was?
Who else would it be?
So you aren’t having fun with anyone else?
I’m not having fun with you.
Yes, you are. You’re already anticipating our next meeting.
Leave me alone.
Not an option.
Why did that send a thrill through me? This man was dangerous, even if I hadn’t thought so initially, I knew it now. He was following me, and he’d managed to get my number. I needed to keep my distance. I should never have responded to his first text, but even knowing that, I didn’t stop.
Why?
Because I want you, and I get what I want.
No.
Yes.
My throat tightened, and I forced myself to swallow. Why did I have such a problem resisting temptation? I tossed my phone on the bed and retreated to the bathroom. He wasn’t getting any more responses from me, not on the phone, not at the arena, not anywhere else.
5
VITO
As I lounged in bed a few days later, not wanting to get up, I read over my text exchange with Zeke again and smiled as I imagined him trying to figure out how I got his number. I considered texting him again, but before I could think of what to say, my phone rang. I sighed when I saw my father’s name on the screen. I wished I could ignore him, but he’d probably expected me to check in with him hours ago since he was a fucking early riser.
Not answering now would only make my day worse than it was already going to be since I had an assignment that was going to keep me from watching hockey practice. The thought of not seeing Zeke all day wasn’t acceptable. I’d have to find out where he went after practice and follow him. I needed him like a drug.
I accepted the call. “Hey, Pops.”
“Vito, nice of you to acknowledge that you’re part of the family.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m at your disposal. What do you need?”
Pops huffed. “I need you to follow the instructions you were given yesterday.”
Then why are you calling me? “That’s the plan.”
“Yes, it is, but I know you don’t always handle plans well.”
I squeezed my free hand into a fist, letting my nails cut into my palm. “I can handle it.”
“I want your assurance you will follow the plan, no going off book.”
“I always get the job done.”
“You do,” he said the words like they were being forced from him. “But your methods leave a lot to be desired.”
“When you want me to scare a guy into paying, I do it. When you want someone eliminated, I take care of it.”
“In the loudest, flashiest way. Our entire purpose is to stay under the radar to everyone except our clients”
That was his mission. He wanted to hide away from the world forever. He liked living in the shadows—barely living if you asked me. No one who witnessed my unorthodox methods of taking care of assholes was likely to run and tell the cops. The Marchesis needed to keep their dangerous reputation in order to do business. We didn’t need to fade into the background.
“Have I ever brought the law down on us?”
“No.” His voice was cold as ice.
“Then trust me.”
“Vito, just because you get away with things once doesn’t mean you will the next time.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not a child. I know how this business works.”
“It works because we have rules.”
“Fuck the rules.”
I jumped when a bang echoed through the phone. I was sure Pops had slammed his hand down on his desk. “Do you have a death wish?”
“No. I don’t think so.” I liked risk, and I liked danger. I didn’t like rules or keeping quiet, but that didn’t mean I wanted to die. It just meant I didn’t spend all day worrying about consequences. That had always been Val’s job. Maybe Pops has a point. Maybe I needed to grow up.
“Just follow the fucking plan.”
“Yes, sir.”
I would do as he said. I didn’t need more shit from him, but my methods got things done a hell of a lot faster—and they were more fun.
“This isn’t supposed to be a game.”
Fuck could he read my mind now? I sure hoped not. If he could, I’d be dead by the end of the week.
“I’ll take care of it your way. I promise.”
“Good. Take care of yourself.” My breath caught. Pops rarely said anything to show he cared, especially about me. “I don’t have time to replace you right now.”
Of course, I was useful, though he usually acted like I was barely even that. “I’ll let you know when the problem is taken care of, and I’ll be even more cautious than you.”