Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 148949 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148949 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
It would hurt too much to even try.
Blue gestured to Yuri’s photo. “I will be right back.”
My voice grew shaky. “Cool.”
Blue went over, embraced Fatuma and kissed her cheek.
More guilt rose within me.
I turned away and focused on my baby.
Look at that adorable little boy. Did he really come from Kaz and me?
As usual Max had tired Emilio out. My baby boy lay in his arms with his mouth wide open and that one tiny fist raised in the air.
I signaled his top guard, Luda.
She came up to us. “Bedtime?”
“Yeah.”
“Damn. Nephew can’t hang.” Max kissed Emilio’s forehead and handed him over to Luda. “See you next time, E.”
I smiled as Luda took Emilio from Max’s arms. “Thank you.”
“Of course, ma’am.” Luda cradled Emilio in her arms.
Slowly lowering his fist, Emilio snuggled into her chest.
I turned back to Max. “Thank you for taking care of him this week. It was a huge help.”
“Anytime, sis.” Max grinned at me. “You know I love that little guy. When he gets older, he’s going to stay with me in Italy during the summers.”
“Sounds good to me.”
A server brought over a tray of vodka.
“Thank you.” I grabbed one.
“Oh shit!” Max clapped his hands. “You’re drinking tonight, Em?”
“Hell yes. I pumped enough milk today to have some fun.” I smiled at the glass. “I will just have to dump all of tonight’s milk, but one glass should be worth the trouble.”
Max pulled out the joint that had been tucked behind his ear. “Hell yes. Let’s have a smoke out session too.”
I shook my head. “Max, I can’t smoke yet—”
“What the fuck, Em? What do you mean you can’t smoke yet? You’re about to drink.”
I swirled the vodka around in the glass, watching the chandelier light reflect off the crystal. “Dr. Stovall told me that alcohol takes about two hours for the body to completely eliminate it, but marijuana can take up to a month to fully clear from breast milk.”
“Bullshit.”
“It’s facts.”
“How?”
“The cannabinoids are stored in fat cells.”
“But hold up.” Max placed the joint between his lips. “Jamaican mothers breastfeed and smoke all the time and their babies are always just fine.”
“How the hell do you know that?”
“Remember my plug in East Flatbush. She had five kids and would smoke right around them. Motherfuckers were chill as fuck—”
“And probably very high.”
Max lit his joint. “I bet they’re fine.”
“No worries. We will be smoking soon. I make the final decision on the wet nurse and hire her tomorrow—”
“Titties? I’m definitely helping with that.”
“No, you’re not. Anyway, once we land in New Orleans, bring out your fattest blunt.”
“Word?”
“Word.”
“Shit.” Max blew out smoke. “I’m going to get you so fucked up in N.O.”
I laughed. “Max, not too messed up. I’m still a mom—”
“With a fucking team and shit. You’ve been through a lot, Em.” Max winked. “Take a fucking break and get high.”
“New Orleans is about healing, not partying.”
“Fuck that. The trip is also about R&R—rest and reefers.”
“Rest and relaxation, Max.”
“That too.”
“I can’t with you.” I took a sip of the vodka. Although the liquid was cold, a burning sensation smoothed down my throat and warmth spread through my body.
Wow. That’s quite a kick.
I studied the glass, wondering if I would actually finish it all.
I better slow down. That pregnancy made me a super lightweight.
Raising my head, I looked at the photos on the wall. Memories of the people I had lost flooded my mind. It was hard to believe they were gone, but being surrounded by their smiling faces made me at least feel closer to them.
I’m glad we did this.
Suddenly, the chandelier lights dimmed.
Next, the audience erupted in cheers as the members of Crucifix stepped onto the stage.
They wore black leather jackets and ripped jeans, their long hair flowing as they took their positions.
I scanned the space, hoping to see Kaz’s face, but didn’t see him.
“Yo, Em.”
I gazed back at Max. “Yeah.”
“Besides hiring the wet nurse, is there anything else that needs to be finalized?”
“Nothing else.”
“Perfect.” Max blew out smoke to the side. “How long do you think we will be back in the States?”
“It would be nice if it is just a few days—”
“A few days?” A skeptical expression decorated his face. “I don’t know about that.”
“You said Timur was there for two days and was back to normal.”
“Look, man. Timur and Lunita are two very different people.”
“Then, how long do you think we will be there?”
“I think it may be two weeks. That’s if the Lion can behave himself and don’t start any bullshit like in France and Italy.”
I quirked my brows. “What?”
“Kazimir tends to go to places and make enemies.”
“Leave my baby alone.”
“Yo, just talk to him.”
“About what?”
“Jean-Pierre stressed that New Orleans had a very nuanced criminal underground.”
I nodded.
“Dude was trying to tell Kazimir how things go in the meeting and the Lion was on that usual bullshit, thinking he was god almighty.”