Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Bingo. And you’ll report to me. Easy, right? You might even have some fun while you’re at it.” He winks, and it’s the most repulsive thing I’ve ever seen.
“I don’t know if I can do that.”
“You’re a smart girl. Figure it the fuck out.” His attention drifts from me as he shuffles papers on his desk. “Bang Angelo’s little brains out. You’re a hot chick. I have all the faith in the world in your abilities.”
That’s my dismissal. Tommy’s such an arrogant prick that he just assumes I’m going to do his bidding all for some vague “protection” promise.
I turn away without another word, not really trusting my stupid mouth to say anything right now, and step out into the hall. I hurry back to the employee locker room, find my phone, take the hundred from between my tits, and add Angelo to my contacts. I’m tempted to swallow the bill just to be on the safe side, but I need the money and tuck it back between my boobs to be safe.
Then I send a text: You got me into some deep shit. Just talked with Tommy. We need to meet up ASAP.
I hit send before hurrying back to my cage.
Chapter 14
Claudia
Everything aches. My back, my knees, my feet. I’m an ugly, sweaty meatball when I finally make it to my apartment at the end of my shift. In a sleepy daze, I count my tips, stuff them into my pillowcase, then grab a quick shower. I keep thinking about Angelo and Tommy, and keep seeing myself crushed between them as they slowly try to strangle each other.
There’s a knock at my door as I get dressed in sweats. The knock’s hard, insistent, and I know who it is. “Go home, Rodney,” I call out, not in the mood for this shit. “I’m going to bed.”
No answer. Only more knocking.
“You drunk asshole,” I say, fed up with his crap as I storm over. “I’m serious. I don’t care that you’re my uncle. This is too much. Just go home, get sober, and we can talk tomorrow if it’s important. I mean it.”
No response. He knocks again, softer this time, and now I’m frowning.
Rodney would be shouting at me through the door by now.
Tentatively, I open up, leaving the chain in place.
Angelo Bianco’s standing in my hallway looking like a god. His hair’s got that sexy, messy thing going on and his stubble is somehow more perfect than usual. He’s got a serious look on his face like he’s trying to burn a hole in my chest with his mind, and he’s leaning against the wall. The definition of cool and casual. I hate him so much.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, struggling to keep my voice calm.
“Your text. We couldn’t talk at Cage, but you sounded like it was important.”
“You followed me home?”
He shrugs, head cocked. “I gave you time to shower.”
I sigh and I’m very tempted to slam the door in his face. But unfortunately, I really do need to talk to him, and against my better judgment, I let him inside.
Serena once told me something. She said never go see a man past one in the morning unless you’re okay being his human fleshlight. She said late-night calls are never good. And I am absolutely positive she’s right about that.
Angelo doesn’t fit in my shabby apartment. He’s chic and smooth, expensive but also rough. While my place is falling apart. He looks around the living room then pokes through the kitchen, glaring at the empty refrigerator and the equally empty cupboard, before finding an old bottle of gin in a corner behind a box of Cheerios. He pours two drinks, cuts them with water, adds ice, and sips.
I don’t touch mine.
“Tommy called me into his office,” I say, leaning against my counter. “Are you done judging my place or can I tell you about it?”
“I wasn’t judging.” His frown darkens. “But maybe use that money I gave you to buy some food.”
“Asshole. Can I talk now?”
He gestures, which annoys me, but I tell him what happened, beginning to end. His face gets more and more frustrated, and by the time I’m finished, he’s pacing back and forth.
“This might not be a bad thing,” he says, glancing up at me. “But you’re going to have to lie to him.”
“Maybe I’m lying to you.” My eyebrows go up. “Did you consider that?”
“Not really. Tommy won’t give you what you want, which is your sister back. I will.”
Bastard figured that one out pretty fast. “What do I do? I’m not a freaking spy. I can’t play both sides.”
“You’ll be fine. All you have to do is tell him the truth, but leave out the parts where you’re telling me things you shouldn’t.”
“This is so easy, right? But Tommy’s dangerous and he’s got my sister under his thumb. If I mess up, he might hurt her. And he’ll kill me.”