Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91357 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Sam watched as she interacted with his brother, who admittedly hadn’t been her biggest fan. But Mike had come around, trusting Sam’s feelings for her over his history with her mentally ill sister.
“I’m thrilled for you,” she said to Cara. “Are you feeling any better?”
“A little. I think telling people has helped my mental state, at the very least.” She shot a glance at Mike, who pulled her in for a hug and a long kiss that had even Sam wanting to look away.
On the other hand, Nicole watched them, a look of pure longing on her face. A look so wistful, like she knew she was seeing something she’d never have.
Sam’s stomach twisted badly, and he glanced away. “Anyone ready for dinner?” he asked, hoping to break the tension building inside him.
The family jumped on the idea of his mom’s food, and the meal was one of the happiest and most fun Sam could remember in a long while. Considering they’d always ribbed each other, joked, and had a good time, that was saying something. Erin wanted to know if Mike and Cara planned on finding out the sex of the baby. Either way, she was mentally planning baby playdates. By the time they’d finished coffee and dessert—his mom being smart enough to serve only Nicole’s meringue puffs and not anything she’d made or bought too—Sam was ready for grown-up time.
Beneath the table, he reached out and placed his hand on Nicole’s thigh. Through her long skirt, he felt the heat of her skin against his palm, or at least he imagined he could feel it. His body thought so too, igniting at the thought of getting her home and into bed.
He leaned over. “Ready to get going?” he whispered, his hand trailing higher.
“Behave,” she whispered back. “I want to help your mom clean up.”
“Nonsense,” Ella said, having heard that. “Guests don’t clean up.”
“But . . .”
“Go,” Ella insisted.
Sam rose from his seat. “You heard the lady,” he said, pulling out Nicole’s chair.
“Thank you for a delicious meal and a wonderful evening,” Nicole said.
“Our pleasure,” Simon said.
Ella actually snorted in reply. “As if he cooked?” She laughed. “But it is our pleasure. See you soon.” She blew a kiss in their general direction.
“Congratulations again,” Nicole said to Cara and Mike.
“I’ll walk you two out,” Mike said, taking Sam by surprise.
He followed them to the front door, where Sam paused, turning to face his brother, Nicole by his side. “What’s going on?”
“Change of plans. It turns out the DEA was already watching the Romanovs. They have a guy deep undercover and a sting in place. They want us to stand down and stay the hell out of their way.”
Sam glanced at Nicole. Her eyes opened wide. “But . . . what about the money laundering and my father’s firm? Tyler? And me? They’re after me!” she said, her voice rising.
Sam pulled her tight against him. “You’re going to be fine,” he said, glancing at his brother for reassurance.
“Mike?” Nicole asked.
He exhaled a harsh breath. “From what I understand, and it’s sketchy at best, they hope to have the Russians behind bars by tonight. According to Cole’s sources, there’s a huge shipment coming in, and if they can catch them in the act . . .” He trailed off.
“Okay, and the bit players? Like Tyler’s father?” Sam asked.
“The New York City cops will talk to Tyler about giving grand jury testimony and indicting his old man and anyone else involved in laundering money.”
Nicole sucked in a breath. “I need to go home and talk to my father.”
Sam exchanged glances with Mike. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. The less you’re involved, the better.”
“But I am involved. I’m the one who overheard the conversation.”
“Which probably can’t be used as evidence anyway,” Mike reminded her.
She sighed. “I still want to talk to him. He deserves a heads-up. He may not have been a doting parent, but I can’t imagine he’d let anything happen to me. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t warn him before his world comes crashing down.”
Sam admired her loyalty to a man who didn’t deserve it, but given what he’d learned of her so far, she was loving and caring and put others before herself. “I’ll go with you.”
She swung toward him. “You don’t need to do that.”
“Maybe not, but I want to.” He squeezed her shoulder, and she laid her head against his arm.
Mike shot Sam a knowing look. “I’ll leave you two to figure out your next step. I don’t have to remind you to be careful,” Mike said before turning and walking away.
Nicole looked up at him with trusting eyes. “Will the Russians leave me alone?”
“Once the DEA arrests them with drugs in hand, you’ll be off their radar, believe me. We can go to the city tomorrow and talk to your father.”