All Chapters of Daughters of Ruin: 3 Sisters fall for the Mafia: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

CharliThe stainless steel wall of the restaurant’s kitchen is the only thing keeping me upright. My palm is pressed flat against it, the cool metal biting into my skin as I try to stop the sway in my body.Four shots. Four stupid, empty shots.I haven’t eaten since lunch, and now the alcohol is sprinting through my veins, making my head loopy, making me giggle at everything.I tilt my head back, trying to breathe, trying to steady the dizziness, but I feel him. Every nerve in me sparks to life. My skin prickles, my body heating despite the chill. My knees almost buckle from anticipation.I almost sigh. Worse; I almost moan.“Running from me?” His voice slides into the space behind me.I whirl around, eyes wide, heart hammering like I’ve just been caught stealing. He’s leaning against the opposite wall now, hands tucked casually into his pockets.His gaze drops deliberately to the line of empty shot glasses, then back up to me. He tucks his bottom lip between his teeth, biting down ju

CharliThe guard outside my door nods when I step out. “Mr. Holder is waiting for you in the main sitting room with breakfast.”My stomach twists. Of course he is. I was hoping to avoid him all day today, but Elijah Holder isn’t the type of man to make anything easy.I chew my lip raw as I walk down the long hallway. I shouldn’t even know where the main sitting room is. This house is huge, practically a maze, and I know it well enough to find my way around.The knowledge sends a shiver down my spine.Last night replays in my mind like a broken record. The alcohol blurring my edges. Crawling onto his lap. His hands gripping my hips, my neck. His voice confessing all those filthy things he wants to do to me.The edge of my yellow dress skims the skin of my thighs, and I break out into goosebumps, my bare feet cold against the marble.Still, heat rushes to my face, and I suck my lower lip into my mouth. What if he brings it up? What if we have to talk about it?I prefer he thinks I still

CharliI stomp down the hallway toward Elijah’s bedroom, my thoughts a chaos that I can’t control.That man gives me whiplash.He’s the sexiest, most infuriatingly beautiful man I have ever seen, and yet he kills for a living, for hobby, even. He killed someone for touching me, like I was his to protect, like it angered him and yet he threatened my sister. He treated her life was nothing but leverage.To manipulate me into agreeing to that stupid, idiotic kiss.I slam the door behind me, leaning against it, hands pressed to my face.Oh, he kissed me like he knew me, like he knew exactly what to do to make me turn to jelly. He tore the ground right from under me.And then he just looked at his watch, adjusted his shirt and walked away. Like nothing had happened.I walk across the room and catch my reflection in the mirror. It makes me freeze and let out a horrified gasp. My lips are swollen, wet, bruised. My curls are a mess, tousled, and my cheeks are flushed, my eyes glossy.I look,

JoI stare at him from behind the counter, my apron digging into my ribs. I catalog automatically.1.) Leather jacket, worn, but definitely expensive. 2.) black pants. 3.) Gun tucked neatly beneath his arm.His posture is loose, easy. What is he doing here?The probability that he’s just here for coffee? 7%. He’s not here for that, no matter what he says.He gives me that sweet, practiced smile. “Hi, Jo.”My stomach flips like it does when I finish coding something and it runs smoothly. I blink out of my analysis. “What are you doing here?”He shrugs, rocking back on his heels. Casual, like him being here hasn’t just blown up my entire day. “Just getting some coffee.”I frown, sharp, and turn to Emily. “Can you cover the register?”Her blue eyes dart from me to Tony, to the gun at his side and back to me. She nods quickly, cheeks flushing red.I untie my apron slowly, tilting my head just enough that Tony follows. His eyes track me, observant but amused. Like he thinks I’ve invited hi

CharliI fold my arms tight across my chest as Elijah guides me up the narrow stairs into the jet. He’s behind me, hands wrapped firmly around my waist, pushing me forward.I don’t know where he’s taking me.I just heard him over the phone, talking about finishing someone off. The trial is over, and now he’s flying me out of here. Is this to get rid of me somewhere else? Or is it safer for him to have me in another state? Maybe that’s why he gave me the phone—to let me say goodbye to my sisters.I spin in his hands, trying to push past him and back down the stairs.“Charli.”“Where are you taking me?” I ask, breathy, avoiding his eyes.“Get on the plane.”“But why? I can just stay here. If you’re going to do something to me, you can do it here. If you need to kill me, I get it. I’m not naïve, but I didn’t get to say goodbye to my sisters. I didn’t—”“Wildflower.”He stops me, cupping my jaw with one hand, forcing my eyes to his. That warmth in his gray eyes burns straight through me.