Saving Blu (Kings Reapers MC Book 4) by Nicola Jane (classic reads .TXT) 📕

and now they’re so big, they think they can cut the Italian families out. That can’t happen.”

“So if they aren’t happy with us, why not just wipe us all out?” I ask. It’s happened with other families.

“The future of the organisation looks bright. We’re not in the nineteen twenties. Things are done quietly and professionally. We don’t want people thinking we have lost control and the only way we can keep it is by killing a whole family.” He smiles. “Your poor brother won’t see sunrise. That leaves you and mummy dearest. We’ll marry, our families will be tied, and I’ll lead the Romano businesses. Elders are happy, you get to live.”

I shake my head, biting my lip to stop the tears coming. “You killed my dad?”

He scoffs. “A mafia boss doesn’t go around killing people.”

“But you ordered it. You put the hit out!” I accuse.

“Get some rest, Gianna. You look tired,” he says. He leaves, locking the door behind him.

BLU

Leia hands me a glass of water and I swallow four painkillers. “You really need to ease up on those,” she says. “You’ve had way more dose than you should have. Rest is best.” I hiss as she wipes over the bullet wound before re-covering it with a clean bandage. “You’ve bust the stitches,” she says. “It’ll keep bleeding.”

“Then glue it,” I snap.

“I can’t glue it, it’s too wet. You need stitches and rest.”

I snatch a bottle of whiskey from the club bar and take a swig. “Haven’t got time.”

Vinn sticks his phone in his pocket. “You ready?” he snaps. “Or are you gonna keep whining about your shoulder?”

“Vinn,” says Leia. “I forced him to show me. He needs new stitches.”

“He’ll be fine. If he bleeds out, it’ll save me a job. Go put your feet up and rest. That baby’ll come if you keep rushing around,” he says, kissing her on the head. Chains growls from across the room and I send telepathic thoughts asking him to kill Vinn so he’ll get off my back.

“There’s a few of Cobra’s men in the Crown Bar,” Vinn tells Riggs.

“I don’t like it,” says Riggs. “They’re being too obvious. They might be luring us out.”

“Then their plan is backfiring because I won’t just be asking questions or even giving them a chance to talk. We’re sending a clear message to Cobra,” snaps Vinn.

We climb off our bikes and have to rush to catch up with Vinn and his men, who take the lead and head straight into the bar with guns drawn. Around eight bikers turn to look as we enter and two of them are on the floor bleeding out before they’ve registered we’ve arrived. The rest follow, dropping like flies.

Vinn turns and leaves without a word. Riggs shakes his head. He hates being sloppy.

By midnight, I’m back watching the same place we were last week, waiting to see if Cobra is running his club from here. “This feels like a waste of time,” I mutter.

Blade nods in agreement. “I reckon they wanted you out the way,” he adds.

“Well, fuck Vinn. I have my own contacts.” I pull out my phone and call the only man ever to hurt me my entire life. Considering he didn’t call me back before, I’m surprised when he answers. “Father,” I mutter. It feels like an alien word on my tongue.

“Azure,” he replies. “It’s been a long time.”

“I know I have no right to ask, but I need your help.”

He laughs but it isn’t cold or cruel like I expected. “I thought you might. I’m in London.”

I stutter. He hates flying and he hates London. “How come?”

“Business,” he says. “A lot has happened since you left. I’ll text you the address I’m at. Come alone.”

Chapter Twenty

GIA

“We have an important dinner,” says Ric, straightening his black tie.

“I told you, I’m not hungry,” I snap.

He rolls his eyes. “Are you going to fight me at every turn?”

“You can be certain of it,” I growl. “And if you make me go to your stupid dinner, I’ll cause such a scene that it’ll ruin your reputation.”

He laughs. “You have no idea what my reputation is. You cause a scene and they will expect me to beat you in front of them. Behind closed doors, they don’t care much for insolence.”

“Nice,” I mutter. “Like father, like son,” I add and his eyes flash with annoyance.

“It would be easier on you if you just play along.”

“I’ve never been one for games,” I say.

“I’m losing patience with you, cara mia. I expect you to be a good wife or our marriage will be very sad for you.”

I laugh at his threat. “It will be sad for me anyway because I don’t fuckin’ love you and I never will. I knew,” I hiss. “I knew you were trouble. I felt it. Something inside me was screaming at me not to marry you.”

He moves towards me with the stealth of a tiger hunting its prey and leans down, his hands resting either side of my thighs. “Don’t you see? I’m doing you a favour, you ungrateful bitch. I could have you and your mum killed. What I’m offering is a life.”

I push my face closer to his. “What you’re offering me is suffering and unhappiness. I’d rather die along with my dad and brother than be married to you.”

His hand grips my throat and anger boils in his eyes. “Then let me help you on your way,” he growls, squeezing until I’m gasping for air.

There’s a knock on the door and he reluctantly releases me. I fall into a heap on the bed, rubbing my neck and sucking in air. “Dinner is delayed,” announces a female from outside the door. “Mr. Rossi has had an important meeting come up.”

Hearing that name is like hope. That has to be Blu’s dad. “More time for us to play,” says Ric, grinning down at me.

BLU

I find the house on the outskirts of London. It’s practically a stately home. I’m