Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 90590 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90590 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“Absolutely. I want to be there. I want to show them before they die that I’m stronger than before.”
“You are. I’m so proud of you, Marci. You are a true warrior. You have your father’s strength.”
“And yours. I know the stories of how you risked your life for Dad, how you went into enemy territory to help your little brother. Your fierceness is more subtle than Dad’s but it’s there all the same.”
Mom swallowed hard, but the tears fell anyway. “Show them your true colors.”
I nodded with a firm smile before I headed outside.
Uncle Matteo waited for me in his car in the driveway and I sank down in the passenger seat beside him. He also owned a bike, which he usually rode over to our house when he came without Gianna and Isabella. It was one thing he and Maddox had in common. And even Amo who only did dirt racing on occasion. I caught myself imagining how they might one day do a bike trip together and immediately wanted to slap myself. These men were mortal enemies. Nothing had changed.
Matteo scanned my face. I wished makeup could cover up my turmoil like it did blemishes, but Matteo could probably see them plainly.
“Are you good to go?” Matteo asked carefully. He, like so many others, hadn’t hesitated to risk their life for me. I could only imagine how scared Isabella had been for her dad, how worried Aunt Gianna must have been. I had trouble expressing the amount of gratefulness I felt for them, and also for the soldiers I didn’t even know.
“I am. This is my battle and I won’t shy back from it,” I said firmly.
Matteo grinned. “That’s my tough niece.”
I smiled but slowly another question formed in my mind, one I hadn’t had time to consider fully yet. “How many died in their attempt to save me?”
Matteo gave me a careful look. “You should talk to your dad about it.”
“Matteo,” I said in exasperation. “I’m not a young child anymore. I can handle the truth and I need it.”
Matteo nodded. He, unlike Dad with me, allowed his daughter Isabella more freedom and told her things Dad always tried to keep from me. “Three men died.”
I swallowed. My life wasn’t worth more than theirs but they had put it down for me.
“They know of the risk when they become Made Men, and our fights with the bikers have cost far more men their lives. This isn’t your fault.”
Maybe it wasn’t, but I felt guilt anyway. “I want to send my condolences to the families. They need to know that I’m sorry for their loss and understand their sorrow.”
“You’ve grown.”
“I think that’s natural.”
“No, I mean, while you were gone.”
“Something like that changes your outlook on life,” I said quietly.
“It does.”
Matteo pulled up in front of a warehouse in an industrial area. I had never been there, but before today I’d never been allowed to be present at any kind of Famiglia business, much less a torture session.
Matteo got out of the car but I remained sitting for a moment longer. This would be a challenge for two reasons. Earl White.
…and Maddox.
Less than twenty-four hours had passed since I’d last seen him. My first night in freedom, one filled with little sleep and more nightmares. I’d lived a privileged life until the day Maddox ripped me out of my comfort zone. Now I had changed. Because of the pain and humiliation I’d suffered, but also because of my feelings for Maddox. Feelings I was terrified of. My life would be easier if I forgot them, forgot him. If I allowed Dad and Amo to kill Maddox. That way the choice would be taken out of my hands.
Matteo gave me a worried look. I’d remained frozen in the car, staring up at the huge building as if it meant my doom.
Not my doom.
This would be my ultimate liberation. My palms became clammy as I followed Matteo toward the steel door. Before he opened it, he turned to me once more. “Maddox White, do you want him dead?”
I was taken aback by Matteo’s directness but I shouldn’t have been surprised.
“No,” I said, a truth I couldn’t even admit to myself so far.
“Your dad won’t like it, and me neither. He means trouble.”
“You always say Gianna is trouble and that you like trouble. Why can’t I?”
Matteo chuckled. “You shouldn’t use me as an example for your life choices.”
I shrugged then my eyes wandered back to the steel door. My pulse picked up, a strange mix of fear and excitement. “I haven’t made up my mind about Maddox yet.”
“You should do it quickly. Your dad will kill him soon.”
Matteo finally opened the door for me and we headed toward another steel door at the end of the vast hall. My heels clicked on the bare stone floor and with every step I took, my pulse quickened. Matteo touched my shoulder. “Wait here and let me check if we can enter.”