Total pages in book: 260
Estimated words: 245483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1227(@200wpm)___ 982(@250wpm)___ 818(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 245483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1227(@200wpm)___ 982(@250wpm)___ 818(@300wpm)
“It’s an important meeting with our best men,” Marco says in return.
We are his best hitmen, that’s true, but he’s buttering us up pretty fucking hard. I can smell the shit he’s trying to shove down our throats from a mile away, and I know where this is going.
“Let’s talk business,” I say before my father can steal any more momentum.
“Okay Gio,” Marco says, smiling at me. He’s in his fifties, and only a few years younger than my father. His teeth are straight and white, and his hair is cropped close to his scalp. He wears a dark suit complete with a crisp, white pocket square, like always, and I can see the bulge of the weapon in the holster on his side. He looks like a used car salesman wearing an expensive suit, and that’s more or less accurate.
Assuming used car salesmen extort, murder, deal in prostitution, and generally engage in all manner of illegal shit.
“You’re offering us triple for this job,” I say, leaning toward him. “That’s more than fair, given the situation.”
“I thought you’d think so.” His eyes sparkle and his lips turn up, as if he thinks we’re eager to accept.
“Except you neglected to talk about the politics involved.” He holds my gaze, but that glint in his eyes fades.
“The politics?” he asks, feigning innocence. He waves his hand in the air as if dismissing it. As if taking out a major member of the Rossi familia means nothing.
“If we do this job, it’ll spark a war. You know this, and yet you want us to do it anyway.”
“I don’t know anything about a war,” he says, the smile still there.
“Okay, fine. It’s none of our business, I know that. We’re not in the familia.”
“Yet,” Marco says, cutting in with a glance to my father.
I can practically see my father salivating at the comment.
“But it will involve us,” I say before my father can speak up, feeling my irritation rise. “Regardless of the outcome.”
“Do you want more money?” he asks me straight.
“It’s not the money.” I shake my head slightly, keeping eye contact.
“You’re hesitant. I can understand that. You’re young, and don’t know how the world works yet.”
I clench my jaw and have to restrain myself from smashing his face into the hard maple table top. “This is a dangerous job regardless of my age.”
“How about this,” he says. “I’ll throw in the niece of our, uh, target. You can take her and train her for us. Or at least break her down some. You know the drill. I hear she’s quite a beauty.”
I’m taken aback. A woman. They’re giving us a woman. What the fuck? The familia has never made an offer like that before. That’s not an aspect of this business I’m associated with. My father is though.
He quickly speaks up before I can even process the extent of what Marco offered.
To train? My body’s stiff with the memories of my past flashing before my eyes as my father answers him. “We’d be honored, Marco,” he says. “Gio will accept the woman and turn her into the perfect model of obedience for you.” I’ve seen what they do. I know exactly what they want. I recall the sounds, the images. My father standing over a girl, a whip in his hands, a smile on his face. My heart races as I try to ignore my recollections. “You want a slave, he’ll make her fucking perfect. Isn’t that right, Gio?”
My father stares at me waiting for an answer, and I’m at a loss for words. I know what they mean by training, and I’ve seen it a million times, but I’ve never taken part. I’ve never done anything but witnessed it when I was a boy.
I’m barely able to nod my head.
“Very good,” Marco says, and my father shakes his hand. “You two will do this contract, and you,” Marco points at me, “will break the girl in. I’m sure your father has taught you a thing or two.” Marco winks at my father, who grins proudly. “Then we'll discuss your full payment.”
I blink, surprised. My father has a huge smile on his face. Before I can speak up and tell them that we won’t be taking the contract, Marco stands. My father stands with him, and the two men glance at me. I stand as well, shaken and surprised at this turn of events.
“I trust that you two will come through,” Marco says.
“Of course,” my father responds.
“Good.” Marco nods at me. “Gio, I’ll send you the details so you can pick up the bonus.”
Marco turns and leaves, followed by my cousins.
I grip onto the table as they leave us. “What the fuck just happened?” I hiss at my father.
“I accepted the job,” he says, glaring at me. “What the fuck was that?”
“Nothing,” I say, looking away. I can’t admit to any weakness, especially not now. Not to anyone.