Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
She touches my cheek. “I’m sorry. I know that was hard.”
“Killing Ignazio was satisfying as hell. But losing the others—“
She kisses me. “You’ll do right by everyone else.”
“That’s my plan.”
“And you will. I promise. You will.”
I believe her. More than anyone in the world, I think she’s the only person who would tell me the truth.
I’m a monster. I’m a killer. I murdered men from my own family tonight for opposing my vision. I took control of the Corvino operation for the second time, tightening my grip, showing those who survived what happens when they cross me.
There was never a vote.
There were only battle lines. Sides drawn across a conference room table.
Those on their feet, and those in their seats.
The plan was always simple: kill the men who voted against me and ensure there would be no opposition in the future.
It was brutal but it’ll be effective.
That’s why I felt so terrible when it became clear Ignazio had convinced more of my Capos to join him.
That meant more men had to die, and it’s not what I wanted.
I wrap my arms around June. She leans into me, smiling to herself.
“Does this mean you won’t be in such a bad mood all the time?”
“That’s just my sparkling personality.”
“Something like this.” She tilts her chin up and I kiss her. “What do we do now? Nobody’s out to get me anymore.”
“Now you’re my wife. Now Hattie’s my daughter. We’ll figure it out.”
“Yeah.” She touches my cheek. “We’ll figure it out.”
37
RAFE
Six Months Later
“This took way too fucking long!” Doug Denning scribbles his name on the closing document and throws the pen onto the table. “God, I’m so glad this is over.” He loosens his tie and leans back with a happy sigh. “It’s over.”
“Glad you’re happy.” I extend a hand. He takes it and shakes. “Enjoy your retirement. I think you can afford it now.”
He snorts and climbs to his feet as Theodora and his lawyers speak quietly, wrapping up the meeting. “Brother, I got four kids, an ex-wife, a current wife, and more creditors than you can imagine. All this money is already earmarked for other people.”
“Then why do you seem so happy?”
“All those other people are gonna shut the fuck up for once.” He grins and waves as he walks out of the room.
The remainder of the meeting is procedural. More documents, more signatures. Most of the real closing costs were settled weeks ago. Theodora congratulates me when it’s all done and we’re alone in the conference room of my shiny new pharma distribution company.
“How’s it feel to be a drug peddler? Oh wait.” She smirks at me. “Seriously, congrats, Rafe.”
“Thank you.” I wander to the windows overlooking the city. “You know what it took to get here.”
“I sure do.” She joins me. “But you deserve it. You and your brothers.”
“I wonder about that word, deserve. I suspect I deserve much worse than this. But I’ve always taken what I wanted and now here I am.”
“Good enough for me.”
“I had a feeling you wouldn’t mind.”
“The massive check I’m getting sure as hell helps ease any moral issues I may have with our partnership.”
I arch my brows at her. “Moral issues? Since when did you have any sense of morality?”
“Great point.”
I think about how busy the next few weeks will be on the drive back home. Denning is a mess, but we’re going to fix it. Silas has plans, Devlin and Kellan have grit and determination, and I have an iron will. Cassian is Cassian and will remain in the woods until needed.
I stroke my knuckles and walk up my stoop. I open the front door—
“CONGRATULATIONS!”
I drop to a knee, one hand going to my jacket on impulse, reaching for a weapon.
Until I realize it’s June holding Hattie. My brothers, minus Cassian, are behind her, all three cracking up at my reaction.
“Ah, I wasn’t expecting this.” I straighten and clear my throat. “Erm, thank you.”
“Daddy Rafey, were you tying your shoes down here?” Hattie reaches for me. I take her from June.
“That’s right, baby.”
June rolls her eyes at me and kisses my cheek.
“Congrats, bro.” Kellan pounds my shoulder. Devlin punches my other arm.
“Can’t wait to tear that place to pieces,” my youngest brother says happily. “God, it’s going to be fun to fire all those assholes.”
I glare at him. “Watch your language in front of my daughter.”
“It’s okay, Daddy Rafey, I hear you say bad words all the time.” She wriggles from my grip and runs off.
Devlin cackles in my face and I scowl at him.
June takes my arm and steers me away. There’s champagne and food already prepared.
“I’m just happy that it’s over. You’re happy too, right?” she asks. “You’ve been a ball of stress this last week.”
“I’ve never bought a company before, but I’m glad it’s over.”
“Think you’ll do it again?”