Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 154525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
“It took her four fucking years to come back to me after you,” Salvatore said then, “and you think you helped her? You did not help her.”
“I did what she wanted.”
Salvatore’s jaw worked hard, teeth grinding, but he stayed quiet.
Davido broke the silence first. “He did know.”
All eyes cut to the man, including Carmine who had to turn in his seat to do it.
“What?” Salvatore hissed out. “What did you just fucking say?”
“Davido,” Carmine murmured, pleading.
The other man shook his head and looked to Salvatore. “He had to know it was her, if you’re talking about what I think you are. Every woman that comes into the Red Room fills out a form and signs a waver with her legal name. She thinks he doesn’t know who she is, and the masks help with that, but he does know. He sees every wavier before the scene so that it’s fully consensual on both parts. He can refuse.”
“Davido!”
Carmine’s shout did nothing. Then, he turned on Salvatore again. “You have to understand, it’s what she wanted, Sal.”
“What?” the boss asked calmly, his words hollow and cold. “Did my wife ask you to force her the same way her father did? On that form, did she spell out how he liked to tell her to show him what daddy paid for before he put her on her knees, just the way he liked? Do you think reliving a choice she didn’t have, and turning into one she could make as an adult helped her forget? Or do you think it just made her realize she never would? Since you know so fucking much, Carmine, and you’re just giving them what they want, right? You tell me.”
Carmine’s mouth opened, but he struggled for words momentarily until they came to him in a rush. “No. She just requested a violent scene. I didn’t kn—”
“Oh, she didn’t explain why she wanted it like that, huh?”
“Am I free to go?” Davido asked quietly.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Carmine snapped.
“We got married last year, asshole. Our boy, he’s nine. And I get it, Carmine, you need what you need, too, but you lie. You’re always fucking lying to me.”
Two men broke at the other end of the table. The two on the other side stayed steady.
“You may leave,” Salvatore finally said.
Davido turned on his heel instantly.
“Davi!”
He didn’t turn around. He didn’t even hesitate.
Nico remembered something, then. Something that happened in Chicago; something Carmine said. “So, you know better than to fuck the consigliere’s daughter,” he said to the quiet room, “but his wife was okay?”
Readjusting in his chair to face them, Carmine’s shoulders trembled as he tried to keep his composure. “I don’t do anything they don’t ask me to.”
“Mmm,” Sal vocalized, looking entirely unimpressed. “And look at where it’s got you. You were the only man that fucked my wife whom I had yet to have a conversation with. Because I couldn’t imagine doing it and both of us coming out of the conversation unscathed. When men cheat, they do it for the attraction. Women, they’re filling a void. You just cratered hers. You made that void bigger. And you...I made myself sit at tables with you because I knew what would happen if the truth came out while Giorgio ran the show. I’m starting to think he should’ve known. All along, you knew it was her.”
“I only did what she—”
“Keep saying that. It won’t change how there isn’t a universe where I exist that I will ever sit at another table with you and not kill you. I will kill you. Do you understand me?”
Carmine folded his arms over his chest. “So, what? I stay out of your way, and you’ll stay out of mine? That’s it?”
“I better never know that you exist after today. You’re not welcome in New York. We will not do business with Chicago anymore. And our protection for your dealings is officially withdrawn. Be grateful I didn’t kill you. I still want to. The only reason I won’t is because I made a promise to my wife. Between us, it no longer matters. But you and me? Carmine, we’ve got problems for life. Take your leave. Now.”
Carmine’s chair screeched as he stood. Someone came to stand in the doorway at the same time. Sissy.
“I’m sorry,” she said softly, her gaze taking in the scene but settling on Salvatore quickly enough, “I know the rules for today.”
Which meant nothing good if she broke them.
“What is it?” Salvatore asked.
“It’s your wife. Larkin contacted me. Carina is in labor.”
•••
Nico had never been to Vermont.
He hadn’t ever seen the inside of Rutland Medical Center where he currently scoured for any sign of Frankie, even though he knew they weren’t on the same floor.
Yet, it felt like he did.
From the moment the helicopter pilot said they’d crossed into the state of Vermont, Nico swore he could feel her. The closer they got, landing on the hospital’s helipad after a call was put through to request permission, the stronger that feeling became until it was her heart he felt. The beats coming straight through the tile.