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)
“Cool.” He went up without glancing over at Valentina as she talked to our men.
I wonder how Tisha and Valentina will work out together.
Then, Valentina grabbed my attention again.
“I say jump!” Valentina glared at them. “You leap very high and try to touch the sky.”
Max muttered, “Shit show.”
Valentina prowled down the first line of men. “Big pussy energy. So big you can see nothing else.”
Max scratched his head. “That doesn’t even make any sense. You have to tell her, Em.”
“Hell no.” I shook my head. “I’m minding my business.”
“However, if you want to test me.” Valentina bobbed her head and gestured to all of them. “Tickle the dragon’s tail and see what happens to your finger.”
Shaking his head, Max put out the joint. “I can’t do this anymore. Valentina is fucking up my session. I’m going on the plane.”
I smirked. “Don’t forget your seatbelt.”
“You just make sure Valentina doesn’t get on our plane because if she says big pussy energy around me one more time, I’m throwing her off that motherfucker.”
* * *
Ten minutes passed before Valentina finally finished harassing the men. Once done, they all loaded up on Kaz’s plane.
I checked my watch.
Come on, baby.
The flight crew took away empty luggage carts. Plane engines buzzed.
I looked around.
Besides airport staff, I was the only person on the tarmac.
Soon, our private planes would soar into the sky, leaving Moscow behind and making our way across continents and oceans to the vibrant city of New Orleans.
My stomach churned with nervousness as if it were a turbulent sea, tossing me from side to side.
We are really going to do this.
My mind raced.
I leave Moscow one way. . .I will return. . .as a different person. But how different?
I thought back to the moment when I had fought the mirror, wishing I could hit Lunita.
Will I get rid of her?
Fear twisted in my core, and it was not my fear.
A little guilt tugged at my heart. Part of me knew that Lunita was also me. Plus, hadn’t Lunita saved us from the horrors of our life—the things I could not even remember.
But, she also created horror in my life too. . .
I couldn’t lose more innocent people.
And even more, I would not have my relationship with Kaz messed with again.
After what she had done with that gardener, most men would have left me.
Others—the ones as dangerous as Kaz—might have killed me along with the gardener.
Kaz had remained by my side, patient and loving.
I will not lose him over your shit, Lunita. Trust and believe. If it is a choice between him or you, it will always be him.
Sorrow washed over me, and I couldn’t identify who felt sad—me or her.
“Emily?” Abena appeared at the top of the stairs and looked down at me. “Can we have a quick talk?”
“Sure.”
Abena hurried down. She had her red hair out. Those kinky curls bounced around her shoulders.
When she made it to the bottom of the stairs, she gave me a nervous smile. “Chidi and I were wondering if you wanted us to start feeding Emilio on the flight or in New Orleans.”
“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.” I blinked. “I. . .well. . .”
Abena nodded. “You want to stretch out your time nursing Emilio as much as possible?”
“This has been our thing. I think it would feel weird to not feed him.”
“True. It would feel like that for a few days, and then you will discover other ways to spend time with him.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes.”
“This might sound odd, but I don’t want him to forget me or stop seeing me as important because he isn’t drinking from me.”
“You are his mother, Emily. That will never happen. Chidi and I are only here to give you more time to rest and enjoy your life.”
“Hmmm.” I considered it. “Then. . .if he gets hungry, go ahead and feed him. Just. . .call me so I can be there.”
“Of course. Emilio will still need his mother.”
My heart warmed. “Yes.”
Kazimir’s car rolled up.
There he is.
Abena spoke, “I see champagne on the flight. Make sure you get a glass or more. You do not have to worry about what you drink.”
“That is true.” I watched King David step out of the car first.
To my shock, David placed his view on Abena and widened his eyes.
She turned to him.
David studied the woman, slipping his gaze over her red hair.
Alright now, David. Your favorite color is blue, not red.
“I should. . .check on Emilio.” Abena nodded and headed away.
David put his view on the car.
Kaz stepped out and all my attention went to my baby.
As usual, he was a vision of strength and sophistication.
His broad shoulders filled out the tailored jacket. The suit’s color—a deep shade of navy—complemented his tanned complexion.
Ummhmm. I’m going to be all over you when our plane takes off.
When he spotted me, his piercing blue eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief.