Total pages in book: 181
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
Fuck! Lucca was right, and he knew it. It was a position Sal probably would have had, if the job he already did for Lucca wasn’t so important. His friend would eventually find an underboss who could handle the job in a few years, but replacing Sal would be impossible. Lucca already bent the family rules for his sister Maria to be his consigliere—that’s how little options he had currently in the family.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”
“So, you’ll do it, then …?”
Sal ran a rough hand through his hair. “I mean, are you asking or telling me, Lucca?”
Lucca gave him a sympathetic look. “I told you long ago I’d never ask you to do anything for me you didn’t want to do, and I meant it. We’re brothers. Our bond is stronger than my brothers whom I share blood with, and you know I haven’t even given Nero a promise like that. In fact, I purposefully give him the shitty jobs. Plus, are you really going to let an innocent woman go down for this?”
Ugh. Sal hated when Lucca pulled that card, even though he was truthful in the fact he wouldn’t make him do anything he didn’t want. But how was he supposed to say no after a speech like that?
“Fine, I’ll do it,” he finally agreed while making one thing clear. However, it was uncertain if he was making it clear to Lucca or himself. “But only for you, not for her.”
“Damn.” He couldn’t believe the savage statement. “You don’t care if she ends up in prison? That’s harsh for you.”
“Nope.” Sal shook his head violently. “I have practically dreamed of her going to prison every single night I spent in my home.”
“Really?” Surprised at his deep distaste for her, Lucca peered over at the woman in question. “Did you look her up and find something?”
Even though he hated to admit it … “No, she’s clean. Her search history is boringly PG, unlike the video games she plays. The only things against her are some parking and speeding tickets. She’s also behind a couple of months on her mortgage payments and bills, but I’m sure she is considering she was recently fired, not like we care about that stuff, anyway.”
“So, what’s the issue?” Lucca asked, looking back at him. “I’ve only seen you act like this if you know they’ve done something rancid.”
It was scary to wield the power to know about a person’s full digital Internet history. It was like being able to read people’s minds or know a person’s deepest, darkest secret. It regretfully made you weary of people and have an aversion to humans. Eventually, he had to quit looking so deeply into any woman he came into contact with who he found attractive; otherwise, he would never ever get laid.
“You really have to ask?” he said, looking back at her with her bat back in her hand.
Lucca’s voice went even lower as he stared at the girl in concern. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She plays video games too much.”
“Ah …” He nodded, getting it now. It was clear that was all Lucca needed to hear to understand her.
“Yeah, so, imagine living next door to that!” Sal quipped, losing his cool.
“Shh …” Lucca reminded him with a laugh. “So, she’s eccentric. So, what?”
“If by eccentric you mean certifiable, sure.”
“Do yourself a favor and look around here. We’re all certifiable, Sal,” Lucca told him, knowing it was the truth. Every made man was a psychotic individual, held on by a tight leash that the craziest one of all controlled. They were only one bad day away from Lucca Caruso and the whole family crashing down.
Smiling, his boss and friend looked over at her once more, and Sal really didn’t like the look of his shit-eating grin.
“Something tells me she’ll fit right in.”
“It’s settled,” Lucca spoke up again to finally include her in the no-longer-private conversation. “You’ll stay with Sal at his place here in the Casino Hotel until further notice.”
What?
“Listen, I, uh … really don’t think that’s a good idea.” She crossed the room closer to him. At this point, she thought she preferred prison rather than living with Salvatore.
However, Lucca’s patience had finally been worn thin. “And I really don’t car—”
“But isn’t he married?”
“Excuse me?” Lucca asked her in disbelief while Sal put his face in his palm.
“Isn’t Sal married?” she asked again, more clearly. “I just really don’t think it would be appropriate if I stayed with him. I promise not to run or anything. Maybe you have an extra room I could use here—”
Lucca held up his hand, silencing her. “I can assure you, Valerie, Sal is not married.”
“Oh.” Valerie didn’t know why a part of her felt happy at that fact, but there was the question of … “Well, maybe he has a girlfriend?”
Another smile touched Lucca’s lips, this time lingering longer. “That, I do not keep track of, but you will still be under his supervision and staying with him.”