Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 148(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
“Whatever. I think he’s just trying to keep control of you anyway that he can.”
“Don’t I know it.”
“Well, you better be careful.”
“I’m carrying my knife on me. I’ll get that cocky reporter if he tries to put his filthy paws on me, or better yet, I’ll call his wife. That bitch can get a hold of her man and teach him a lesson in manners.”
“Good. That prick needs to keep his hands to himself. You need someone who will worship you, and only you.”
“We all need that. I hope June fines someone like that too.”
“Me too, but not too soon. She’s only eighteen and hasn’t even dated anyone.” I get myself a glass of water and take a long gulp before I tell her, “Speaking of dating. You won’t believe who I ran into yesterday on my way home from the store.”
“Who?”
“Greg.”
Her eyes comically bulge out, and I nearly shoot water through my nose. “No freaking way. Why? How? You two haven’t spoken since you broke up like, what, two years ago?”
“Yeah. I thought it was strange too. The city is massive, and there he was. He’s single now and was asking how I was doing.”
“Please tell me you didn’t give him the time of day.”
“Of course I didn’t.” I roll my eyes because that fucker damaged my already fucked-up heart. I didn’t love him or anything, but I was in a vulnerable place, and he only added to the loneliness.
“I said I was great and that I was dating and that I finally finished school. Then I said I had to go because my boyfriend would be picking me up soon.”
“Way to go. Please tell me what he did.”
“His mouth dropped wide open, and he asked if I’d lose the other guy for him.”
“Give me more please,” she begs, plopping on the sofa looking for more juicy gossip.
“I laughed in his face and walked away.”
“That’s my girl.”
“I’ve grown strong over the years. I’ll never let anyone control me.” Even as I say it, my mind goes to the guy at the diner. He could easily have me under his thumb, his body, or any part of him he wants.
I knew from the second our eyes connected that there was something different about the man, and my reaction to him had been intense and real. Unfortunately, I had to do my best to fight it if we did meet again, because he isn’t a good man and that was clear as day.
“Well, I’ve got to get ready to leave.”
“Okay. Be good.” I head into my bedroom and get dressed for work. While I’m getting ready, I look out the window and see the weather has shifted and the clouds have darkened the sky even though the sun hasn’t set yet. Great. I hate traveling without the sunlight.
Chapter Six
Dario
May leaves for work with Luca trailing her, but the roommate is upstairs sleeping. We have to deal with Johnson without waking the reporter.
“We’re going to dish out Johnson’s punishment and find out who else he’s working with. Once we do, I want them all dealt with. Understood?” They nod in agreement, but I can see they’re curious why I give two fucks about these other women who don’t mean shit to me.
It has nothing to do with the possible trafficking of women. Fuck, it’s all about May. The threat to her is the reason, and I know it. She’s practically a stranger to me, but I want her for myself, and I will have her.
“Dario, there are two other tenants that live on the third floor, but they are an old couple in their seventies.”
“Good, they won’t be a problem. I’m betting they’ll be asleep by the time we arrive.”
“Shit, they were probably asleep two hours ago.”
“Hey, don’t talk too much shit, Enrico. You’ll be old one day, napping at noon.”
“Fuck, I don’t mind napping. I just know my nonno was out on the recliner by seven every night.”
“I get it. Now, let’s move. I want this handled tonight because I have other plans.” We hop into two blacked-out vehicles, turn off all tracking devices, and make our approach to Jefferson Park.
Once we reach her block, we dip off to a side street out of the way of prying eyes and into an alley. The street is quiet, even though there’s a couple of crackheads buzzing about around the corner.
Our faces are obscured just enough so they can’t ID us or our vehicle, even if they weren’t high enough to try. Still, we sneak in, popping the shitty lock to the side gate leading to the gangway and the back of the apartment building. We don’t want to bust straight through the front door just in case there are nosy neighbors.
The backyard is nothing but broken concrete with weeds coming up from under it with junk parts lying around. It’s clear my woman doesn’t use the area for entertaining and probably isn’t even allowed back here.