Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
“My sister is married to Matteo Cattaneo.”
Holy fuck. Of course I know that name. Everyone does. I’ve even heard my father say it more than a few times.
“Isn’t he kind of like a mob boss? A criminal?” I take a step back. What the hell is happening? This is all insane.
“Least he’s not assaulting girls and killing them.” Nikolai utters this before taking another bite of his meal. Riley elbows him in the side. “What? Like her family is much better.”
“Hey.” Abel’s hand comes down on my hip. I turn to face him.
“Where do you fit into all of this?”
“I’m here to make sure you’re safe. That no one hurts you while this all plays out.” I step into him, wanting his comfort.
“What is my father doing? Does he know I’m gone? Is he trying to find my brother?” I’m not sure what my father would do with Brent. I’m sure he doesn’t want his secrets to get out.
“We’re going to wait. See how some things play out,” Abel tells me.
“And I get to stay here with you while we're waiting.”
“You’re staying right here,” he confirms.
“Okay,” I agree. I honestly don’t want to know any more right now. This is already so much to take in. I rest my head on Abel’s chest. He wraps his arms around me, holding me close.
I trust Abel will keep me safe.
11
CHURCH
“How do you think your captive is going to respond when she finds out you’ve killed more people than her brother?” I ignore Nikolai’s question. It's not something I want to face right now. Maybe I never have to tell her.
We could leave. I could take her away from here and start a new life somewhere else. I could stop being Church. I don’t need the money. I’ve amassed enough of a fortune that Angel and I could live extremely well.
“How about when she finds out you got her daddy in your basement?”
“Can you shut the fuck up?” I grit out. When did he become Chatty Cathy? Nikolai and I often work together, but it is usually in silence. Unless you count the screams that were not coming from us.
“She’s not from this world. She’s an innocent.”
“Do you want to piss me off?” I ask him when we make it down to the bay area. We left the girls alone. I could tell they wanted to talk, and if there is anything I can do that will make Angel happy and keep her little ass here, I’ll do it.
"I don't think I've ever seen you pissed off. In fact, I don’t think I have ever seen you anything.” Nikolai leans against his car and pulls out his phone. Matteo should be calling soon. I also need to go downstairs and check on the senator.
“Is there a point to this conversation?”
“Truthfully?”
“No, I want you to fucking lie to me.” Nikolai actually laughs at that.
“Think that’s the closest thing to a joke I have ever heard you say.” He smirks. “That's kind of my point. Do you know what you’re doing here, Church, because I’m a bit worried.”
“Why?”
“We both grew up fucked up.” I nod. We did. That might be why we gravitate toward each other when working. There is an understanding between us. We know what it’s like to live in the gutter and steal to feed ourselves. To steel our emotions, to protect ourselves. We have seen some of the most fucked-up people and things. It leaves a mark on you. It changes who you are and what you’re capable of. “If something happens to her—”
I’m moving before I realize it. My hand wraps around Nikolai’s throat. He doesn’t fight me. “What are you doing?” Does he want me to snap his neck? Is he trying to make me unalive him?
“Proving a point. You’ll become unhinged.” We stare at each other for a long moment.
“You wouldn’t?” I release my hold on him, stepping back. I squeeze the back of my neck, trying to calm down the rush of adrenaline pumping through me.
"Yes, I'd kill some fuckers and lose my damn mind if anything happened to Riley. But you’re different.”
“Sick in the head like her brother,” I mutter. He’s not wrong. I’m unhinged. I think I've started to realize why. Emotion. It’s been so long since I let myself feel anything. Now everything is rushing back, and I don’t know how to handle it.
“You don’t prey on innocent people. I also don’t think you get off on your kills.” Nikolai’s hand comes down on my shoulder. I shoot a glare at him. He smirks, lifting it. “You’re not her brother, but you got your own demons.”
“Are we getting to a point here?”
“Get your head on right.”
“My head has never been quite right.”
“Yeah, but you can’t be popping off. Don’t think your Angel up there would be too happy if you killed me.” I glare at him. “Maybe this won’t be so bad. You have something you have to check yourself against.”