Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
But Valentina’s still trapped. It’s the cycle of revenge. It’s the lie she keeps telling herself that if we hit the Biancos back, if we kill enough of them and take away some of their power, then it’ll fill the hole in her heart and soothe all her raw grief. Except it won’t. We both know it won’t. And I can’t make her see it.
“Laura isn’t a part of all that,” I say, and I know it was the wrong thing. Valentina flinches like I struck her.
“What is with you?” she asks, sounding desperate. “Why the fuck do you care about this girl more than what we’ve worked for?”
“It’s not like that.” Except maybe it is. I need Laura now, need her more than I’ve ever needed revenge.
“Don Bianco is going to kill you. Adam, Ronan, none of them are going to help. They’ll gladly watch you die when they find out you’ve been fucking a Bianco girl behind their backs this whole time, and can you even blame them? I’m not sure I’ll try to talk them out of it.”
That hurts. I can’t pretend like it doesn’t. Valentina, my best friend, the girl I saved from being used and abused by her father’s former Capos, now wouldn’t care if I were dead.
Which can’t be true. I know it isn’t true. She’s hurt, but she’s not cruel. That’s not who she is. “There are other ways. Laura understands, she can help—”
Valentina’s laugh is pained. She slugs down her beer. “Laura’s a fucking Bianco and you’re delusional. Don Bianco’s going to cut your throat if you don’t let this shit with his sister go and start thinking clearly.”
I grind my jaw. “I am thinking clearly. Remember how I told you not to come here?”
“Yah, because you’re a coward and didn’t want to face me.”
“No, you asshole. Because Don Bianco would happily kill you if he so much as caught a whiff of your existence. I’ve been hiding you this whole fucking time, remember? You’re a digital ghost. You’re legally dead, thanks to a bit of hacking. But if he spots you, then the hunt’s back on.”
She stares at me. Anger and denial drip from her posture. But she knows I’m right. “Then I guess I’ll go and leave you to whatever stupid decision you make.”
“Val, I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Too late for that.” She walks to the door. “Just get over the girl, okay? I want my friend back. When you see sense, give me a call.” Then she’s gone, the door slamming behind her.
I lean against the counter. I can’t even blame her for feeling that way. I knew she’d hate me—she’s just taking longer to get there. But eventually, when she realizes that this thing with Laura isn’t going away, she’ll have no other choice, and I’ll lose my friend for good.
Chapter 33
Laura
Ididn’t know I could feel lonely.
For years, I’ve been alone in this house. I’ve had my work and occasionally my family, and I never once felt lonely.
Until now, when suddenly I can’t see Marco or Jackal anymore, and it’s like I’m being smothered by a heavy, dark pillow.
I want to get out from under this pressure, only I don’t know how.
Marco: Have I mentioned how good you look when you’re working?
I smile at my phone. His messages are something, but I want his hands and his mouth. I want his blindfolds, his games. I want Jackal and the mask and the excited fear that comes every time he offers me a choice.
Laura: Easy, pervert. I’m not on display here.
Marco: Actually, you definitely are. Do me a favor and take a layer off.
Laura: Why, so you can stroke yourself while I get covered in dust? It’ll take an hour to shower it all off.
Marco: And I’ll happily watch.
Laura: You’re sick. I like it though so that’s fine.
Marco: Speaking of sick, Jackal misses you. He’s coming up with all sorts of devious new games.
Laura: Don’t tease.
Marco: But you know I love teasing.
I smile sweetly at the camera before turning it to face the wall.
Laura: That’s your punishment. Enjoy the view!
I can practically hear him laughing as I get back to the jackal ear I’ve been working on. As the shape emerges from the stone, I think about stroking the ceramic mask, about those eyes staring through the holes in the jackal face as warm hands touch my body, about the thrill of the fear and the pleasure of his tongue and fingers and cock. It’s all too much, and I’m too fucking distracted, but I don’t know what else to do.
Marco used up his tricks the last time he came to see me. That wouldn’t work again anyway: Simon has three guards watching my place at all hours, two up front, one in the back, with more on the adjacent roofs. I suspect they have orders to stay at their posts, no matter what. Which means no distractions will draw them off.