Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
The thought of one of Christian’s men putting their hands on her. It makes me murderous. Clenching my fist, I dig my nails in my palm. Rage simmers just below the surface. If I get the chance, I’ll kill him, draw out his death, make him wish, plead, and beg for death.
“Knock, knock…” Matteo’s voice reaches my ears, and I force myself to unclench my fist, sliding the mask of emotionlessness across my face before turning around to face the door. I’ve already exposed my biggest weakness, and the last thing I need is to expose my emotions further. I refuse to let him or anyone else know how close I am to losing my shit.
“I hope you have some information for me?”
Matteo doesn’t look amused by the way I talk to him, but the way I see it, if he wanted to kill me, he would’ve done so already.
“I do, but I think it’s important you realize just who it is that’s calling the shots here.” I withhold an eye roll. I’m not used to working with anyone, let alone someone that mirrors Christian to a T. I don’t take orders. I’ve worked as a one-man team my entire life. Now, I’m being forced to take orders from some prick in a suit. All I want to do is find Dove, do this asshole’s dirty work, and fucking leave this place behind.
“Tell me what I need to know…please,” I grit out. Matteo smirks at me as if he enjoys seeing me grit pleasantries through my teeth. Little does he know; he’d be dead too if I didn’t need him as badly as I do. I’m not about ass-kissing or becoming his best friend. I just want Dove, and I’ll do whatever the fuck I have to do to get her back.
“That sounds much better… glad you cleaned up your attitude because I would’ve hated not sharing news about your little Dove.”
Her name rolling off his tongue makes me want to slit his throat, but I withhold as a bubble of hope fills my belly.
“Where is she?” I demand and take a step toward him.
“An insider let me know that there was an ambush at one of Christian’s secret compounds. We believe that’s where they were holding Dove. I doubt she’s still there as Xander Rossi’s men were just seen leaving the place.”
Xander Rossi. Fuck. More bad news. Slicing my fingers through my hair in both frustration and rage, I try and think, instead of reacting. Using my fists isn’t going to help her right now. I need to think. But all I can think about is my sweet fucking Dove, how she was tossed from one cage to the next, landing now with the worse villain of all.
“What do we do?” I ask a moment later.
“We?” Matteo blinks, “We aren’t doing shit. You are going to go there and check the place out, see what the hell happened, and if there is anything that was left behind. Maybe they did leave her there, who knows? I’ll expect you to return though, and if you don’t, well, let’s just say there will be more than a bounty on your fucking head.”
“I don’t take orders from you.” I clench my fist, ready to slug him in his arrogant face. I’m so close to losing it, to shutting down completely and going on a killing spree, that it’s not even measurable at this point. And this fuckhead standing in front of me will be my first victim.
“You do if you want my help.”
Like a volcano seconds from erupting, I shudder with a burning rage. Coming here was obviously a mistake. I don’t know if Matteo is going to be worth all of this trouble. He’s dangerous, yes, but what level, I haven’t figured out yet.
“All I need is a gun and a car,” I say without even looking at him.
“I can provide you with both of those things. I’m also sending two of my men with you. Can’t have you trying to run off if she is there.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know, I owe you, and I better return. Get it.”
“I’m warning you, Zane, if you find the girl and hide her somewhere, or if you try and disappear, I will find you, and when I do…”
I look up, and most men would be cowering in fear from the look he’s giving me, but I’m not most men. I’m not afraid of this fuckwad, but I am afraid of what he can do to Dove, or at the very least, what he’ll try to do. Double-crossing him isn’t something I want to do unless I absolutely have to. With no one in my corner and no other help, I’ll have to wait for the perfect opportunity to leave.
“If she’s there, I’ll return with her.”