Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
“Where are you going?” Ian asks.
“I have business to take care of. We’ll finish this conversation tonight.”
I head straight to the cottage, where I find Evinka with the four guards.
I’m wound fucking tight from learning that Grace was raped.
Jebat, how long was she married to Mallon?
How many times did he force her?
The image of Grace fighting for her life as she’s held down flits through my mind, and it makes an intense need to protect her detonate through my entire being.
I begin to feel itchy from all the people around me, and it has me barking, “Did you find a place for the meeting?”
Giving me a worried look, Evinka nods while turning her laptop so I can see the screen.
She brings up a photo of an island, then signs, “Just purchased it.”
I check the information and see it’s off the coast of Chile. Seven hundred and sixteen acres that just cost me four hundred and fifty million dollars.
I give Evinka an incredulous look. “You couldn’t find something smaller?”
“The others can buy into the alliance,” she signs.
I take a moment to think about it before I nod. “Good idea. A hundred million each will ensure their loyalty.”
She nods, a proud gleam in her eyes.
“You did good,” I praise her. “Give me the coordinates.”
“The island is untouched,” she signs before informing me of the location.
I look at the few photos available and let out a sigh. “At least there’s lots of cover from the trees.”
I open a chat with the others and type out the coordinates before sending a voice message.
“We’re meeting on Tuesday at noon. Hundred million buy-in for an alliance or don’t bother coming.”
It takes a moment before the replies come through.
Enzo: Jesus, Varga. That island better be made of gold.
Leo: It says the island is untouched. Where the fuck is this meeting taking place? Between the fucking trees?
Ilias: I’ll be there.
I type out a quick reply.
Dominik: Noon on Tuesday. We can discuss building a facility then. Bring your own chair, or your ass is sitting on the ground.
Imagining their disgruntled faces makes me chuckle.
I set the device down and take a seat beside Evinka. “Get a team ready to build on the island. I want it to be a safe location we can escape to. Make sure the island gets the best technology to guard it.” I stare at the photo on the screen and mutter, “I want an indestructible fortress.”
“On it,” she signs before getting to work.
I glance at the four guards and snap, “Stop hovering around me.”
They quickly leave the living room while a silent chuckle escapes Evinka.
“Prepare for action,” I tell her.
“You think the bratva is planning to attack here?” she signs.
I shrug. “Eventually, but that’s not what I’m talking about.” My eyes meet hers. “I’m taking Grace, and we might have to use force.”
Evinka’s eyebrows lift in surprise. “You’ll kidnap her?”
“A deal is a deal,” I mutter, even though that’s a lie. “Out of Devlin’s two daughters, Grace doesn’t annoy the fuck out of me.”
Chapter 10
GRACE
Since the meeting, which didn’t offer any solutions, my emotions have been all over the place.
It was one hell of a shock to learn Dominik was the person who killed Braden.
I always said I’d send the person a thank you card, and now that I know who saved me from a life of hell, I’m not sure how to feel.
I’m thankful and…shocked. I’m just shocked out of my mind.
And he rescued me from the Russians.
I owe Dominik for saving my life twice. Jesus, how do I repay a man like him?
There’s also his strong reaction to hearing Braden raped me. I didn’t expect anything from Dominik, yet he was so angry it terrified me.
I won’t admit it out loud, but a tiny piece of my heart is thankful for his reaction. Dominik didn’t sugarcoat it. Not like Dad does.
He made my trauma feel justified and that I wasn’t overreacting.
But I can’t sit here all day thinking about my own problems.
I skipped dinner, not ready for another conversation with Dad and Dominik, but I know I’m running out of time.
I rub my hand over my tired eyes and let out a sigh, “What am I going to do about Ciara?”
Dad’s hell-bent on pawning her off on Dominik, who seems okay with settling for me.
Still, I don’t want to marry him either. I don’t think I’ll survive a second marriage.
Letting out a sigh, I stare at my bedroom door.
Get up and face them for Ciara.
I climb to my feet and suck in a deep breath of air before I leave my room. I stop by Ciara’s bedroom, and after knocking, I push the door open.
When I don’t see her, I walk inside and check the bathroom.
“I swear, if they cornered her at dinner, I’ll kill them,” I growl as I rush out of her bedroom.