Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 40969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
“Nope, I have no interest in hearing whatever they have to say. I’m already going to be up to my eyeballs in paperwork, not to mention having to tell Celeste what happened.” I fist my hands in my pockets. Layla created quite the shit storm this week, making Celeste believe it was something she did wrong when obviously that’s the furthest from the truth. Christ, this is a clusterfuck. “I’m heading to my office. Dante, let me know when the cops show up.”
“If we’re good here, I’m going to make sure shit is wrapped up nice and tight, then I’m leaving. Love you like a brother, man, but cops and me aren’t friends,” Nico states. I clap him on his back. He pulls me in for a one-armed hug, taking me back to a time when Nico used to run the streets, raise hell, have his mamma swearing up a storm and his pops ready to beat his ass when they got word what we were up to on my side of town.
“We’re good. Thanks, man.”
“Don’t mention it. See you later.” We both go our own ways. I already know it’s going to be a long-as-fuck day. So much for some time off.
THIRTY
Celeste
I woke up to a text from Wylde telling me he’d be home late afternoon. Of course, after he left, I only stayed asleep for a couple of more hours. After that, I was wide awake. Alone to wander around in Wylde’s penthouse wasn’t much fun. The plan to go with Tyra and Von to look at a dog in an animal shelter has since been put on hold. As much as I’d love another puppy to love on, I know now isn’t the time. Half of that reason is because Wylde and I flip-flop from between our place every night or every other night, depending on our schedule. Plus, our relationship is still new. Adding a dog to the mix can add more stress, and let’s face it, Wylde has that in spades with his hotel and casino right now. Instead of going to the animal shelter, I called up Tyra, and we had an impromptu pool day with Von.
It was a day of us splashing around. Von swimming to the steps, running around the small deck, and jumping had to be repeated a multitude of times. The music was playing, the sun was shining, food of all kinds was flowing—chips and dip, fruit trays, veggie platters, and sub rings rounded out our meal. The only thing missing from my day was Wylde. Even Von asked where he was. When I told him he was at work, he shrugged his little boy shoulders and marched on. I knew the effect Mace had on Von; there was nothing anyone could do about it except be present for him.
The clean-up was minimal. It’s why when Von started getting fussy after missing his afternoon nap, I sent him and Tyra home. Wylder’s place doesn’t have a whole lot for him to do here, not to mention his spare bedroom is missing an important place to put a toddler when he’s down for a nap. Not that Tyra or I would have felt comfortable doing that without his bumper guards. Von is a mover, meaning he does full circles in his own bed, and if you ever get the pleasure to share the experience, you’re liable to get kicked, punched, slapped, and a slew of other things he’s capable of. That’s why I got them out the door before a tantrum ensued, then it was operation pickup around the pool deck, putting sunscreen away, washing towels that were soaking wet because kids feel the need to be wrapped up the second they get out of the water. Then there were the chairs and lounge chairs all out of sorts because imaginations run wild, forts being the optimal fun when it came to eating lunch.
Now, I’m sitting on the couch, flipping through channels trying to land on something. I’m in one of Wylder’s shirts that I confiscated from his drawer after a shower. More of my clothes and toiletries are here. That doesn’t mean when the time came to throw on pajamas, I was going after mine when the scent of him surrounding me is so much better. I’m not expecting Wylde until late tonight. I sent him a few texts and photos of all of us around the pool today, throwing in one of just me, teasing him. It probably wasn’t that great of an idea with him having one hell of a day. I’m settling on a show about food where a guy drives around the country finding the smallest hole-in-the-wall restaurants, making me hungry even though there’s no way I could even think about shoving food down my throat right now.