Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55748 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“A businessman,” Owen says, laughing harshly, the kind mask slipping away. “Is that what he told you? This will do… Well, open the door, will you? Can’t you see I need some help?” He says, lifting his cane.
“Are you sure we’re allowed to use the manager’s office?” I say for the benefit of Killian, so he knows where we are.
“I own the hotel, so I’d imagine so, girl. After you…”
Fear spikes in me as I walk ahead of him. What if he pulls out a gun and simply shoots me? I gave Killian my word that I could do this, but the deeper I get, the more terrifying it becomes.
He closes the door behind us, then leans against it, gripping the pommel of his walking stick in both hands. From the way he holds it, it seems more like a weapon than a tool of assistance.
“Why don’t you enlighten me about what you think you know?”
“For months, a man named Shane Delaney has been visiting my bakery to collect payments. I knew he worked for the mob, but not for who… until recently, when he arrived with a prisoner. I demanded that he let her go. He got angry, and he mentioned your name. Owen Doyle. He said that if I didn’t do what he wanted, I’d have to answer to Owen Doyle.”
“He used my name,” Owen mutters, his eyes widening, his jaw pulsing like he’s trying not to scream. “My name specifically.”
“After that, Killian helped me get rid of the man. I don’t know where he took him. I know nothing. But when I heard you were going to be at this party—”
“You stupid bitch,” he cuts in.
It’s good. It means my naïve tone is working. He sees me as a misguided young woman, beneath his contempt. His age and his culture and his personality are bending toward the perception I want him to have… that I would never have the guile to trick him.
“Do you think Killian could do that if he wasn’t in the mob?” Owen snaps. “Your magnanimous mogul isn’t who you think he is.”
I gasp, shooting my eyebrows up, hoping I’m not going too far. “What!”
Owen pushes away from the door, walking toward me… no longer leaning on his stick. In fact, everything about him changes. He seems fitter, more capable, no longer a harmless old man.
“You made a mistake asking to speak with me alone,” he growls, reaching into his pocket and taking out a pistol.
Are you going to shoot me? I almost say that, but if I let Killian know he’s just pulled a gun, he’ll rush in here before I can get the proof we need.
“But I should thank you… Shane was wrong to mention my name, but he wasn’t lying, you stupid bitch. Do you think that drunk moron runs the Family? I’m in charge. I’ve always been in charge. From the very beginning.”
“I just want to know why you sent those men after me,” I whisper. “It was Killian who got rid of Shane and that girl. Not me. I didn’t ask him to.”
He raises the gun. “Then you have your answer.”
“Those men weren’t targeting me,” I whisper, struggling to stay calm, but exerting all the willpower I have. “Why burn down my bakery?”
“It’s beyond your comprehension. You’re not part of this world. You don’t understand the importance of messages. But soon, you’ll learn how this all works. I’ve seen the suspicion in Killian’s eyes… and I see the way he looks at you. We’re going to work together. You’re going to keep tabs on him. If he shits, I’m going to know about it.”
“I won’t do that,” I say.
He laughs in disbelief, prodding me with the cold barrel of the gun. Sweat slides down my body. “You’ll do whatever the fuck I tell you to do.”
“I want nothing to do with the mob,” I hiss. “I never did. Please, just let me go. I’ll leave the city. You’ll never hear from me again.”
“I’ve survived and thrived this long by recognizing a potential tool when I see one,” he says. “Shane was right; I run this fucking Family, and I always have. If you think the fire was bad, you’re truly more ignorant than you seem. I can make your life agony from the moment you open your eyes to the moment I finally allow you to pass out.”
“Killian’s been through enough,” I snap. “Don’t make me betray him. He’s had too much tragedy already.”
When Owen smirks, I know this is the right tactic. I’m on the right track. I just have to keep pushing forward, bury the fear, bury the desire to scream for my man to rush in here and save me.
“Killian is a spoiled little shit who doesn’t appreciate how fortunate he is,” Owen snaps. “Most men in his position would’ve leapt at the chance he had.”