Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
I think back over dinner and the men there. I’ve known Antonio DeLuca for a long time. I know how powerful he is, and I try not to embarrass my father around him. I think Mr. DeLuca is just a little younger than my father—who is forty-two. That seems to be awfully young for a man who has that much power, but I have no idea really. The other guy, I’d never met. Niko. He’s kind of hot. His hair dark in spots but with hints of this sandy brown running through it. He’s got deep brown eyes that almost look black. His face is intense, even when he’s trying to smile. Zoe would love him. I grin because my best friend thinks most men are hot. Zoe and I are total opposites. Honestly, I’d hide from people and be happy—men included. Zoe is outgoing and full of energy.
I did kind of like Niko. At least until he made me feel foolish and everyone laughed. It was stupid to ask him if he had a best friend. He’s older and obviously works for Mr. DeLuca. He must think I’m the biggest baby around. As much as I dislike Dante, I was glad he showed up and Father ushered all the men into his office. I finished my dinner with only Vic as company and then came back upstairs. I could tell Vic wasn’t happy Dante showed up. It was nothing he said, but when Vic is upset, you know it.
I get the feeling Niko didn’t like Dante, either. I’d even say their feelings are completely mutual. There was so much animosity coming from both of them that it made the air in the room uncomfortable. When Dante came over to talk to me, Niko placed himself between us—even going so far as to get in front of my security guard—making it clear he was protecting me and no one else. I admit I liked that. It made butterflies flutter in my stomach.
I don’t like Dante. I never have. He leers at me and it’s uncomfortable. At first, I thought I was just imagining it. After all, he’s in his twenties and I’m just fourteen. The more he comes around, the more he worries me out. I haven’t said anything to my father. I don’t want to make waves with the family business. It’s getting harder to ignore, though.
I’ll have to tell Zoe all about what happened tonight. She hates Dante, too. When I tell her what Niko did, it will probably make her laugh her ass off. She’s constantly saying that Dante needs to be brought down a peg or two. It’s not like I disagree, either. I wish he would just leave me alone and I’d never have to see him again. Judging by the way my father, Vic, and Niko were looking at him tonight, it might happen. I don’t know how DeLuca feels, but I’m positive that the others did not want Dante here.
I find myself hoping that means he will be gone soon…
CHAPTER 5
Niko
By the time Maxwell pulls us into his office, I’m fuming. I keep my anger hidden—it never pays to let your emotions show—but I’m sure the air around me vibrates. Maxwell seems just as upset, and he’s not bothering to hide it. We barely have the door closed before Dante speaks.
“I’m sorry to barge in unannounced tonight, Uncle Antonio, but I didn’t know where else to turn.”
I don’t miss the way Maxwell rolls his eyes. We both know this is bullshit. Dante is trying to fuck things up for me. It wouldn’t take me much to shoot the asshole now and be done with it. I’m not stupid. Somewhere down the road, the two of us are going to clash and when it’s done, only one of us will be standing.
“Explain,” DeLuca orders, not bothering with small talk. Perhaps his nephew annoys him as much as he does me.
“My mother is a mess since my father’s death, and no one is finding out what happened. I want revenge, Uncle. It’s my right. I need men working under me to find out who did this to my father.”
“I’m handling it,” he snaps, and it’s not my imagination this time. He’s clearly not happy.
“Uncle, every minute that goes by and my father’s killer isn’t brought down, the family becomes weak in the eyes of our enemies.”
“The family is anything but weak,” I growl. “If anyone tries anything, they’ll know that immediately.”
Dante’s lips curl in distaste as he looks at me. I smile coldly.
Come on motherfucker. Say something. All I need is a reason.
“What would you know about it? You’re just a grunt.”
“Odd, I thought you and I were on an even playing field within the family,” I respond mildly.
“You were wrong. I’m actually blood. I was born with a place in this family.”