Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Nope. I don’t like it.
Gently taking her by the arm, I help her off the ground and am surprised that she allows me to lead her without a fight. I walk her over to the bed while Ling closes and locks the door. As soon as I sit her down, she shuts us out, dipping her chin, she pretends I’m not there.
The move is so childlike that my usually calm demeanor spikes, and suddenly, I want to smash heads.
My heart beats up a hard, quick drumbeat as my anger rises. I pace in front of her. I pace a long while before I utter a low and rough, “I’m real mad at you, Alejandra.”
Her response is immediate. “Fuck you.”
Pausing midpace, I turn to face her, my jaw tight. That was defiance and disrespect, plain and simple. My anger rises to a higher level, bubbling like molten lava deep in my veins. I mutter a deathly quiet, “Talk to me like that again and we’re gonna have problems, chica.”
Lifting her face to mine, she lifts her chin in insolence. “You’re not my father.”
“No, only the man you tried to frame for your husband’s death. The same husband you accused of murder. No, I’m not your father, but if I were”—I shake my head lightly, appalled—“I’d disown you for being a little cunt.” Bam.
Taken aback by my blunt statement, her eyes widen, and her mouth opens before she controls herself and snaps it shut. She looks out past my elbow into nothingness, losing focus, and something tells me I just lost her inside her own head.
Ling, sitting at the small table, waves her gun in the air to get her attention. “Which, by the way, is now on me, considering I’m the one who shot him.” She scoffs. “Not that it wasn’t worth it. The guy was an asshole.” She looks at Alejandra and shrugs. “No offense.”
Alejandra swallows hard, shuts her eyes, and then whispers, “Please stop talking.”
Ling rolls her eyes. She doesn’t like drama. I manage to keep quiet a short while before joining Ling at the table. Leaning forward, I place my mouth to her ear, and whisper, “What do you see?”
Ling watches Alejandra closely, assessing her carefully before responding just as quietly, “I see a scared little girl trying to be strong.”
Me too.
I stand, making my way over to the bed. Pulling Alejandra up with a stiff yank, I pick up the duffel and throw it to Ling. She catches it, opens it then smirks. “Alejandra, you shock me, you dirty little sneak.”
That catches my attention. “What?”
Ling lifts wads of cash out of the bag, and I frown then scowl down at Alejandra, who refuses to look at me. “Exactly how long have you been planning this?” She doesn’t answer, but she visibly pales. I thought I was a good judge of character. It’s obvious to me that I can’t be trusted around beautiful women. They clearly fill my head with bullshit, and what’s worse is… I let them. My lip curls in disgust, and I yank Alejandra forward a little harder than I should. “Move.”
But she digs her heels in, eyes wide, pulling back in clear panic. “Where are we going? Where are you taking me?”
Without looking down, I grip her arm so hard I know it’ll bruise. Dragging her to the door, I utter, “I told you what would happen if you lied to me. You’re going home.” I look down at her and smile sharply. “What did you think? That you’d just get away with it?” I lower my face to hers till we’re almost nose to nose. “Vito Gambino wants you in a body bag.”
What I don’t add is, “And he’s getting his wish, because your father is a pussy.”
Scared Alejandra fights me to no avail then suddenly turns into resigned Alejandra. She stops hesitating and allows me to move her. Her sudden compliance should have me nervous, but I’m too pleased with the fact that I have her.
The second we’re outside, I realize my mistake. I hear her inhale harshly and I know what’s coming.
The little minx is going to scream.
I do the only thing I can think of. Pushing her against the concrete wall with a harsh thud, I grip her throat hard. Gritting my teeth, I hiss, “Don’t you fucking do it, bitch. I will off you right here if I have to.”
Alejandra reaches up and scratches at my hand with one of her own while balling her other hand into a fist and hitting my arm. Her eyes wide, her mouth opens and closes, a gurgling noise escaping her.
I should let her go. I should apologize. But I don’t. She has to understand that for as long as she’s with me, I own her.
Ling moves past us sounding a little more than put out. “Jesus, c’mon! You’re making a scene.”