Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 54283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
"Nazario." My name pulses over the music thrumming through the club.
I glance to the left, muttering a curse when I see Niall step out of the shadows beside his father's office door. Fucking great. Now I have to deal with the other one. And I like this one less than the one I just walked out on.
"What?" I snap, keeping my hands in my pockets…away from the temptation of his throat. I haven't forgotten the shit he said to Brynna at the gala. Nor have I forgotten that he's the one who snatched bliss from her at the bookstore.
Niall steps closer, his lips compressed into a thin line, his expression tight. And just like in that office, looking into his eyes is like looking into Brynna's. They're so much alike it's eerie. Except there's no innocence here, and whatever light he has left is dim and dull, tarnished so badly it'll never truly shine again.
"We need to talk," he mutters, sounding exactly like a motherfucker who'd rather be saying anything else.
"So talk." What? I don't plan on making it easy for him. I've had my fill of bullshit for the day.
"I heard you in there," he says.
"If you're here to threaten me, get on with it. I've got shit to do."
His jaw tightens, a muscle ticking. "Don't be a fucking asshole, Nazario. I'm talking about what you said about Brynna."
"Ah. So, you're here to fight."
"No." He glares at me. "I'm asking if you meant it. Because the only thing in this world that matters to me is her. And that's the only reason I kept my fucking mouth shut about the two of you."
Well, fuck.
"I've done a lot of fucked up things in my life," I murmur, giving him the truest answer I know how to give. "But your sister?" I swallow hard. "She's the one thing I've gotten right. Yeah, I meant it. Every goddamn word."
Niall jerks his chin in a nod. "Then you should know that one of your men has been sending us information on your organization for the last year. They know everything about you and your business."
"I gathered as much when you hijacked my shipment," I mutter, not revealing the one and only piece of information about their family Brynna did reveal to me—my fucking rat.
"You don't know everything I do," he says, dragging a hand down his face. "Your man isn't your man, Leyva. He works for Rojas."
I freeze at the sound of Rojas' name falling from his lips. At confirmation of what I already suspected. The betrayal stings even though it shouldn't, even though I should have been prepared for it.
Cristo.
"Why are you telling me this, Niall?"
"Because my sister was at your office earlier today," he says, his eyes locked on my as if daring me to deny it. "And after the shit that just went down in there, I'm guessing she'll be spending a lot more time with you soon. Her safety has always been my priority, and if Rojas's man gets his hands on her, he'll kill her just to break you."
"Fuck," I mutter, my stomach twisting at the thought. But he's right. I've considered it myself. If Rojas has a man inside my organization, he wouldn't hesitate to kill Brynna just to destroy me. Cristo. He killed my entire family just to destroy my father. And he's been trying to kill me ever since. He doesn't like to lose, and to him, I'm living, breathing proof that he lost, that he failed. Until I'm dead or he is, he'll never forgive that.
"Maybe you were right in there and we fucked up, smothered her," Niall says. "I don't know. But you were right about her being miserable." He glances away as guilt flickers in his eyes. "She's been miserable for a long goddamn time."
At least he can admit it, even if their father can't. Dio. At least one of them knows her well enough to recognize it.
"As much as it pains me to admit it, Leyva," he continues, "she isn't miserable with you. You make her happy for some goddamn reason. So when she comes to you, I need you to fucking guarantee that you meant what you said in there and you'll keep her safe, even if it means dismantling everything."
"This empire is your future." I motion around us. "You'd tear it down for your sister?"
He meets my gaze, the truth glittering in the depths of his eyes. Perhaps, there's a little bit of light left in him after all. It's her. "In a fucking heartbeat," he growls.
"Then you know exactly how far I'm willing to go to protect her," I murmur, meeting his gaze. "You have my word, Niall. I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe."
He stares at me for a minute, searching for any hint that I'm playing him, that I'm a threat to his sister. But he finds none. There is none. So he nods reluctantly. "I'd really like to hate you," he mutters. "You just fucked everything in there."