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)
CHAPTER 16
BRENDEN
There are certain advantages to being married to Tallie.
For example, ample opportunities to attend events at the main Sarkissian mansion.
Before her, I stepped foot on these grounds maybe twice in my life. Now it’s like we’re getting invitations every week.
This particular party is a fundraiser for a local assemblyman deeply in Arsen’s pocket. The crowd is a mix of old money locals and earnest political advocates. I dislike them all equally. Tallie hangs on my arm looking so fucking radiant in a light blue dress and it kills me, seeing my wife smiling and laughing, when all I want to do is rip her clothes off and fill her to the brim.
Which I shouldn’t do, because of that damn notebook.
“Enjoying yourself?” Annie Sarkissian leans against a table. Her back’s straight, her blond hair back in a sleek tail, her pant suit flattering while also being appropriate.
“Not bad.” I tilt my drink toward her. “You should be the one running for office.”
Annie’s smile is tight. The sound of her crying echoes in my memory.
“Don’t say that.” Tallie hits my arm. “You’ll give her ideas. You have no idea what kind of hell you’d bring down on Baltimore.”
“No worries, lovely sister. I wouldn’t settle for anything less than governor.”
That makes Tallie laugh. I like the way it sounds.
“We’ll be back,” Annie says, leading my wife away toward a group of younger political staffers. “Stay out of trouble while we’re gone.”
I watch them go before my attention drifts. Lucky for me, Sam and Davit aren’t in attendance, though I hear their father Haik’s laughter from across the garden. I grab a passing glass of bourbon and find a corner to brood in.
I’ve never been so conflicted in my life. The job is done, the notebook is stolen and in my possession, but there’s a very short list of what’ll happen once I hand it over, and none of those outcomes are good.
First possibility: Arsen destroys Sam. Maybe Arsen kills the kid, or maybe Arsen uses the unlicensed game to ruin the kid’s prospects. Either way, not good.
Second possibility: Arsen uses the notebook to blackmail Haik. This one feels more likely based on the way Arsen’s worked in the past. Why kill the kid when he can twist the whole family to his purposes? It’s no secret that Haik isn’t always Arsen’s biggest fan. But if Arsen has the material to ruin the whole family?
It’s no small thing, running a poker game without permission.
But the scale is the worst part.
Millions of dollars. Thousands still outstanding in debt. Sam has that hanging over the heads of important kids in powerful families, which means he has some small measure of power. Arsen can’t possibly let that slide, not without getting a piece for himself.
Can I really hand the ledger over? Can I give Arsen that sword to hold to the throat of Tallie’s brother?
What would she do if she found out?
I don’t know why I fucking care. None of this matters, not in the long run. When my plan works out, I’ll be gone, and what happens to Tallie and her family won’t matter anymore. She can go live in fucking Mexico, start a new life, be someone entirely different for all I care.
The bourbon’s smoky as it slides down my throat. Riley’s standing with a group near the far side of the garden, laughing about something with Alexan. When she meets my gaze, I quickly slide away, losing myself in the crowd.
How long can I do this? Keep lying to her and lying to everyone? How long can I hide this from Tallie before it kills me?
“You look stressed.” My wife touches my arm, shuffling closer. “Not exactly how you’re supposed to act at a very nice party like this.”
“Can you do something for me?” We’re partially alone, obscured by a manicured bush made to look like a perfect circle.
“Maybe. Depends. I like this dress, so I won’t ruin it.”
“Actually, the dress is perfect for my needs.” I don’t bother hiding the way I look at her chest. “I need a distraction.”
She tenses right away. “For what?”
“Doesn’t matter. Make some noise. Get eyes on you.”
“You’re going to the house again?”
“There are a few things I need to check on.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“Tallie—“
She digs her fingers into my arm. “I’m not going to be your pretty face with some nice tits attached, okay?”
“Fantastic tits, actually. And you’re the one who already used them twice now.”
“Twice?!”
“Once on the bartender—“
“Okay, enough.” She crosses her arms over her chest, blocking my view, unfortunately. “Either I’m coming with you, or I’m going to obnoxiously make sure there’s no way in hell you’re sneaking anywhere.”
I rub my temple as my head starts throbbing. When did this fucking happen? How’d I end up here, married to this stubborn woman, suddenly with a partner in my god damn insanity of a crime?