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Gio smirks and pats Terry on the shoulder. “That’s why we got him. His specialty is thinking on his feet. Just don’t throw too many girls in front of him or he’ll start playing with his food.”
The others laugh, and even I smirk, because it hit so close to home today.
“You’ll get the job done, won’t you, Terry?”
Terry sniffs like a hound who caught a scent. “Of course, Don Gio.”
My father likes hearing his title before his name. The light’s returning to his eyes from the high praise.
“We’re packing a lot of snow, boss,” Sal risks reminding.
“We also need time to make sure the pigs aren’t onto us,” I add. “I’ll need maps of all the locations day of so we can plan our hit. Can your connects get us that?”
“Yes,” Gio says.
“Not to mention, we’re holding a scalding hot potato we were supposed to hand off in twenty-four hours. Now we have to do housekeeping.” Sal scratches his head.
“Risks we take in our line. Take comfort, boys. Whether it be a few weeks or a few months, there’s too much at stake on Vlad’s end to let this opportunity slip. His shipments age quickly, mine do not.” He laughs facetiously and slaps the granite. “Alright. You boys sit tight. Run your business and defend our stash. I will be back when the time is right, and we will get our payday.”
Gio nods for his bodyguards to follow him toward the door. “I bid you all farewell. Donny, c’mere.” He beckons me so he can whisper something in my ear.
“Don’t you ever interrupt me while I’m dealing business again, got it?” His grip around the back of my neck tightens.
I only look at him, the creeping feeling of strangling him inching back into my mind.
He slaps the back of my neck in farewell when he takes my silence as acceptance.
Chapter 5
Ellie
The front door of the safe house slams shut, and a car engine roars to life. My worst fear is that Donny’s shift ended… leaving me with Don Gio.
The thought makes my hands tremble. I’ve been in a handful of tense situations thanks to my awful brother, but nothing ever like this.
Being helpless as an old, slimy mob boss presses his fingers against my leg made me want to crawl out of my own skin. His thugs were ready to watch, too. I’ll never get over it.
And Donny saved me – twice now. He’s my only hope of staying alive long enough to make an escape. The way they were talking, I only have a few hours left before I’m sold off.
The thought ignites a fire within me.
I rush to the window and use whatever strength I have left to try and lift it. No use. It’s bolted shut, and my view is limited. Chances are Gio was just paying his son a visit to talk business.
Please be the case.
They thought I was trying to kill myself before. But really, I just wanted them to free my hands and put me in something loose to break out of later. It worked. I know for a fact I can wear down the rope around my wrists against the sharp marble dresser. Though none of this matters unless I find the car keys.
That’s my only chance.
My breath catches in my throat when footsteps ascend the stairs. A pit forms in my stomach. I don’t want to be manhandled again.
I curl near the dresser in a crouch that leaves me ready to leap and run.
My breathing resumes when the footsteps are quicker than the limping don’s. A sigh of relief escapes me. Terry was already put in his place by Donny, so it shouldn’t be him.
Maybe it’s Sal. He’s the weakest-looking of the bunch. Maybe I can get past him. Maybe—
The door flings open, and six-feet of muscle walks in with an unbuttoned dress shirt and rolled back sleeves. My eyes cling to a glistening set of abs, then to the two grey pearls staring directly at me.
