Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“You think there’s a chance of cameras in the rooms?” Max asked, horrified.
“Normally, no. I mean, that’s against too many laws. The only reason I’m suspicious is because there’s a strange line in the terms and conditions. You know, the ten-page shit that everyone scrolls through and signs off on without actually reading it. Something about not holding the company liable if they are filmed without their consent.
“So, yeah, you keep the mask on the entire time. Even as you walk down the street after, just in case. If I can get into the cameras and follow people, the cops are capable. In theory. Likely not in practice, but you never know. Not worth the risk. Just wear it, slip into a store, go into the bathroom, get rid of it, and walk back out. All done.”
“Alright,” I agreed, anxious to get to it. After I found and purchased a balaclava. I wasn’t even positive what that was, but I figured it was something akin to a ski mask.
“I’m coming with you,” Max said.
“Absolutely fucking not.”
“He kicked my ass. Twice. He nearly killed my friend. I’m going.”
“Sugar, you’re not.” I knew that stubborn set to her jaw. And, to an extent, I did agree that it was her right to fuck that bastard up for what he’d done to her and Lil. Not to mention poor Henry.
That said, there was no way I was putting her at risk. I couldn’t tell her that, though.
“You’d have a hard time stopping me.”
“Not if I bring some people on this to babysit you. Listen, this isn’t about you not being capable. Or not earning the right to beat his ass. But the thing is, this is Family business. I can’t let you in on it. That’s not how shit works. Maybe I could have if Cosimo didn’t find out. But now that he has, things have to be by the book.”
It was a relatively harmless lie.
Whenever possible, we didn’t want anyone else involved in our business. Especially if that business involved murder.
On a personal level, though, I didn’t want a body on her conscience. For me, that was part of the life. And I knew I’d feel different if it were a life-or-death situation. If, for example, she’d shot the bastard dead back at Lil’s place.
This was different.
It wasn’t self-defense.
It was straight-up murder.
I could live with that.
I didn’t want Max to have to learn how to.
So she was keeping her pretty ass in my apartment. Even if I had to handcuff her to the bed to make that happen.
In fact, I might really like that plan.
“I don’t want you going alone,” Max insisted as I got up, wanting to get moving as soon as possible.
“Worried about me, sugar?” I asked, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head. “I won’t be doing anything alone.”
Except, maybe, tossing Devon’s hotel room.
Snatching someone off the street was, at minimum, a two-man job. Likely three.
With my brother out of town, Venezio needing a break after babysitting Chuck, and Cosimo not being an option, I had to branch out a bit.
“Yo,” Brio answered on the first ring, the sounds of yapping dogs in the background.
The Family’s resident lunatic was also our animal-loving rescuer. “You busy tonight?” I asked.
“Eh, could be… less busy, if need be.”
“Wanna have some fun?”
“Always,” he was quick to agree.
“Know anyone else who could be free tonight?”
“Nico don’t usually got much going on. I’ll call ‘em.”
“I need a car with fake plates. And a balaclava.”
“The dessert?”
“The mask.”
“Alright. We’ll scoop you in an hour.”
With that, we hung up.
“You’re going to be careful, right?” Max asked.
“Always,” I promised her, reaching to take her hand and pull her down the hall with me. “I plan on coming home to you. Every night,” I added as I moved into the closet to grab an extra gun and ammo. “But I want to leave this with you. Nothing points to there being anyone else involved, but just in case.”
“Okay,” she agreed. “At least it’s not as heavy as Lil’s gun.”
“I want you to keep it nearby, but do me a favor…”
“Don’t leave it around Chuck unattended,” she filled in for me.
“That’s my girl,” I said, placing the gun on the bed so I could pull Max flush against me, wrapping her up tight. “Don’t be worrying about me.”
“I’m not gonna be able to help that,” she said, voice muffled from burying her face in my chest.
“It’s gonna be a few hours, maybe half a day, then this is over. For good. After that,” I added when I felt her stiffen, likely thinking I meant we would be over, “I plan to take you to bed for a week straight.”
“Mmm,” she sighed. “Promise?”
“With short breaks only for showers and picking up food.”
“There’s one flaw in your plan,” she said when we both heard Chuck’s hearty laughter.