Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
“What’s that?” he asks wearily.
“You’re mafia, aren’t you?”
That gets a very small laugh. “Mafia is Italian, but yes, that’s close enough. My family comes from a very, very long line of criminals, petty thieves, murderers, and arsonists. I’m the latest in a steady flow of monsters, my angel, and you’re in my world now.” His eyes are dark and heavy when he looks up. “You will learn to obey. You will survive this, I promise, and when it’s over I’ll give you a good life as my wife. Our child will be happy and comfortable. This I swear to you.”
“But what about my mom? I need to call her and tell her what’s going on.”
“I have bigger problems than your mother.”
“But if there’s going to be trouble—“
“They don’t know who you are yet. That won’t last long, but for now, your mother’s safe. I will bring her here before she’s in danger. Assuming you’re good.”
I press one fist into the opposite palm. “You’re blackmailing me? You’re using my mother against me?”
“I’m putting out fucking fires before we’re burned to a crisp. Yes, I’m blackmailing you, and you will not cause trouble. You don’t understand what I’ve done, but you will soon.” He curses as his phone starts to buzz. He looks down and grunts. “I have to go. It’s starting already.”
“What’s starting?”
“Hell, angel, and all the demons are coming for us.”
11
CONNOR
Deck and three guards follow me to the entrance of an upscale Italian place called Dolce Vita.
“You shouldn’t go in there alone.” Deck stands at my shoulder. He’s in a black bomber jacket and jeans, the suit discarded the first chance he got. There’s a vest underneath and at least two guns that I can see, but probably more. My cousin loves weapons.
“Declan’s mad enough as it is. I have to face him alone.”
“You might not come back out.”
“It’s a chance I have to take.”
Deck grunts unhappily. “I’ll secure the perimeter at least. Make sure the Gallaghers aren’t coming.”
“They don’t know yet.”
“How long until they do? Everyone’s aware you didn’t show up.”
“They think I got cold feet. That’s bad enough. They’re angry, but not ready to start murdering.”
“That’ll change when they find out about the girl.” Deck turns away. “Good luck in there, boss.”
I stride through the doors, leaving my men outside.
The interior of Dolce Vita’s handsome and richly decorated. There’s no hostess up front since they’re not technically open yet. A lone waitress sits at a front table rolling napkins. She ignores me as I walk past her, heading to the private room in the very back. The kitchen staff is already hard at work, the sound of music blaring and cursing in multiple languages filtering through the doors.
I find Declan Whelan sitting with his back to the wall, a glass of wine in front of him. Several guards are stationed around the room. The closest immediately closes on me, a gun aimed at my chest.
“Don’t move,” the guard says and starts to pat me down.
I keep my eyes on Declan and submit to the rough treatment. He watches impassively. When the guard clears me, he waves them away. The big men file out, leaving us alone, the table acting as a buffer.
Declan’s gaze is heavy and painful. It’s sorrowful and angry, and I don’t know what hurts most. Knowing I betrayed him, or knowing I’d do it again.
“What’s her name?” he asks, finally breaking the quiet.
“Angelina Bellandi.”
“Italian?”
“I think so. That’s my guess. She’s pregnant.”
Declan nods like he expected it. “When did you find out?”
“This morning before I left for the church.”
“Bad timing.”
“I didn’t plan any of this, boss—“
“No, you didn’t, otherwise, it wouldn’t have been such a fucking nightmare. You didn’t think, you didn’t consider, you only acted impulsively and foolishly, and now here you are, knee-deep in a river of shit with no bridge to either side.”
I blow a breath from my nose and look down at the table. “You’re right.”
“I know I’m right. Look at me, Connor.” I meet his eyes, jaw flexing. I haven’t been treated like this in a very long time, but by God, I deserve it and I’ll take it like a man. “I gave you everything. I raised you from nothing, put you in charge of the Maguire clan, and supported every decision you made, even those I thought would not work out. You exceeded every one of my wildest expectations. You have proven yourself smart, strong, capable, and loyal a dozen times over. I had high hopes for you, Connor, and it breaks my heart that I have to do this.”
Wildly, stupidly, I wonder if he really is going to kill me. “She’s carrying my child, Declan—“
“I am Boss Whelan to you now.”
“My baby, Boss Whelan. That means something.”
“It does. Frankly, it’s the only reason you aren’t dead. Killing you would fix this situation. The Gallaghers would be furious, but we’d find a new husband for Sinead and life would go on. Your family would burn, blood would flow, but that’s the cost of business. Instead, you’re still breathing.”