Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 23105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23105 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
“All right, godmother. Let’s pull it back.”
“So you heard my new voicemail,” I say, perking up. “Logically if there’s a godfather, then there has to be a godmother. Right?”
“I’m not pleased you sent me to voicemail several times.”
We’re back to this again? “Sorry, I was busy. You know how it goes. I’m a young female business owner who is working her way through the mob.”
“Sounds like hard work,” he says, and I nod in agreement. “Tell me, why do you think I snitched on you?”
“Oh yeah,” I say a little too loudly, but the man washing his clothes doesn’t glance up from his phone. I lower my voice and whisper, “There have been a few men in here that are definitely in the mafia. I’m on to them.”
“I’m sure it’s fine,” he’s quick to assure me. “Is that why you’re thinking about making a run for it?”
“Why do you think that?” He’s not wrong, but is he reading my thoughts?
“When you’re in the mob, you need to trust your instincts.” Right, and mine are telling me to run. Or maybe take a nap instead.
“I’m not sure I can trust you,” I tell him.
“I’ll make it up to you. I’ve had a busy morning.” Wow, his instincts are good. “Besides, you’re supposed to send me a price.”
“Well, I’ve had a busy day too,” I say defensively.
“I know, you’re a young female business owner who is working her way through the mob,” he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice.
“I’ll send you a picture of my toes,” I tell him and wiggle them inside of my sneakers.
What should I charge for a picture of my toes? Do people charge more if they’re painted? The polish on mine might be a little chipped, so that would probably take the price down.
“How much?” I swear it sounds like he’s holding back his laughter.
“Umm,” I stall, trying to come up with something to say back. Why does he have to put me on the spot like this? “I’ll let you know,” I blurt out and then immediately hang up.
I should ask Reddit. They always have the best advice.
* * *
Chapter 6
Mattia
I wish I could see Leo’s face right now. I bet it’s adorably scrunched up as she thinks about exactly how much to ask for. And her cheeks are probably bright pink from embarrassment.
Last night after I popped the lock on the hatch, we ate our pizza on the roof and talked for hours. I didn’t want it to end, and without realizing it, I was asking more and more questions so it didn’t have to. I could tell she didn’t want to let me go as her hostage, but I made the offer, and no matter how much I wanted to stay in our bubble, I couldn’t.
There are responsibilities that go along with what I do, and as ridiculous as Leo was about me being in the mafia, she wasn’t wrong. I had early morning meetings with several of the bosses, and I couldn’t get back to her. Sending one of my guys to her apartment with a phone seemed like a logical solution, but then I got to thinking about how easy it would have been for someone to spot me leaving her place this morning.
We might not have fucked, at least not yet, but any of my enemies could have seen me there for a few hours and assumed that’s what I was doing. Being with Leo puts a spotlight on her. One that I’ve worked my whole life to keep off of me. Having a relationship makes someone in my line of work vulnerable, and that’s not a headache I’ve ever wanted to deal with.
Even now, I know I should stop talking to Leo, but I can’t seem to. I’m telling myself this is it; I could disappear from her life right this second and she’d never have to know the reasons why. And yet I had my men stationed at her laundromat all day to keep an eye on her. Not only are my guys going to know something is up, but anyone could find out.
Meanwhile I’m stuck in the back room of a strip club while the men around me argue about the dumbest shit. I don’t want to be here, and this could have literally been an email. Yesterday felt like an alternate universe where I wasn’t a boss, or even a bad guy. I was just Mattia. Being with Leo made me feel like another world opened up and I got to escape to it. If only every day could be like that.
“There’s a delay in supplies at the docks,” someone says, but I’m busy typing out a text to Leo.
Me: I’ll give you $5 for a pinky toe.
Leo: $5!? I feel insulted.
Leo: Reddit says $500.