Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
I slip Sam’s phone into my back pocket. “That’s exactly what I’m doing.”
“Oh yeah? Who’s getting married?”
“I am. See you later, Alan.”
I wipe mud off my shoes before climbing the back stairs to my tiny dressing room. The church is beginning to fill and the ceremony should start soon. I’m wondering if anyone noticed I was missing as I elbow my way inside, only to find Arsen Sarkissian standing near the back window gazing out at the city with a drink clutched in his hand.
Surprise jolts me. I do my best not to show it. Arsen looks at me, mouth tugging down into a frown. He’s older than me, around the same height, but physically imposing. Where I’m rangy and lean, hard and athletic in my way, he’s got the muscular build of a man who spends a lot of time lifting. Scars poke out from the neck of his shirt and every inch of his skin, aside from his face, is covered with intricate tattoos.
The leader of the Armenian Brotherhood turns to face me.
“I was starting to think you were going to abandon my cousin.” Arsen doesn’t smile. I doubt he’s joking. “I was going to send people to bring you back.”
“Had an errand to run.”
“All good now?”
“All good. No surprises.”
Arsen considers me like he’d read a clock. It’s disconcerting, that intelligent and placid face, the skin of an enormous body of water, undisturbed. I’d hate to be the rock who sent ripples through him. I doubt it’d survive long.
“My wife encouraged me to come speak with you before the ceremony. She thinks I should thank you for this service.”
I move sideways toward a bottle I have propped on a side table. I lift it, fill a paper cup, and sip. “I appreciate her kindness.”
“And I appreciate your willingness. What happened in Vegas and with the cartel afterward, that was an ugly business, but it’s behind us now. You’re entering the family.”
Nerves flutter through me. There aren’t many people in this world who can unsettle my calm, but Arsen’s definitely one of them. “I’m happy you’re giving me this opportunity to prove myself.”
Arsen gestures with his glass, a short shake for emphasis. “That’s exactly it. Well stated. I’m giving you the chance to prove yourself. You want to be useful, don’t you, Brenden?”
Coldness floods me. I nod, meeting his gaze. “That’s right.”
“Perfect. I know you can be. Your sister always speaks very highly of you.”
“Riley’s a good person.”
“Now you’re becoming one of us. Not exactly a Sarkissian, but close, and that means we’ll be related. I always believe family comes first. I think you have to be able to trust your family. Can I trust you, Brenden?”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation.
When I really mean absolutely not.
“Good.” Arsen doesn’t smile. He shows no hint that he’s actually pleased. “This was an enlightening conversation. I want you to know that I’ll be seeing you again. I’ll have jobs for you. I’m sure you’ll be able to handle them.”
“That won’t be a problem.”
Except it will. It’ll be a huge fucking problem. Enormous on scales I can’t comprehend. But I keep myself composed the best I can.
“Good luck today.” Arsen walks past me and pauses at the door. “Just so you know, I like Tallie. She’s a sweet girl. I don’t have to explain what would happen if she were unhappy, correct?”
“I’ll take care of her.”
Arsen leaves the room and it’s like the air comes rushing back. I lift my paper cup to my lips and drink, staring grimly at my reflection in the mirror. This fucking tuxedo, my hair combed back, my eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. What’s going to happen to that man? How am I going to let a girl like Tallie into my life without hurting her?
That’s an easy answer: I won’t.
But I’m a liar. Always have been. And my first mark has always been myself.
I can say Tallie means nothing, that she’s only an obstacle in the way of my true goal, that when I’m free she won’t matter anymore. None of this will hurt her, not seriously anyway. She doesn’t want me, not any more than I want her.
So why was I at her house last week? Why did I sneak into her room? Why did I give her that damn ring?
Why did I kiss her?
To keep her from asking questions.
That’s becoming my move.
Or it’s turned into a decent excuse.
Tallie’s pretty face rolls through my mind as I nearly crush my cup. I’m busy obsessing about my future wife when the door opens again, and this time, my father’s standing on the threshold, not coming any closer, like an invisible barrier’s keeping him out.
I watch him mutely for a long moment, not sure what to say. I haven’t seen my father in months. He made it clear that I’m not wanted anymore, that I’m only a liability, that my failures have done nothing but embarrass his precious McGrath clan. My father’s a hard man, a lot like Arsen, and it was painful growing up under his roof.