Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
The black dress and yellow heels are sexy as fuck. I want to pull her into my arms and feast on that bare skin. Her legs look silky and smooth, the heels adding the illusion of length to them.
The dress stops at her mid-thigh and halters around the neck, cupping her breasts as it crisscrosses in the front and leaves a keyhole between her cleavage. My mouth waters as I look at her.
She turns as if she can feel my gaze on her. The smile that lights her face takes my breath away. I think that’s it. How she stole my heart all those years ago, that smile.
The way it lights her eyes and animates her features, it’s as if light radiates from it. I’m drawn to her like a magnet. Before I know it, I’m across the room. I stand before her with my hands on her hips.
“Eww, Daddy. There are kids in the room,” Snacks says, causing me to laugh into the kiss I’m stealing.
“Hello, Paige,” I say, shaking my head. “Evening everyone.”
“Hi, Daddy,” they chorus.
“Hey, baby,” I say to Lynn, flexing my fingers on her hips.
“Hello, handsome.”
I reach to trace her hairline. She has her hair in that high low style again. I love it like this. It has a wild innocence that speak of her personality.
“Do we have a date I forgot about?”
I sway her in my arms to the music in my head. She places her hands on my chest and smiles up at me. God, how did I get so lucky?
“No, you didn’t forget. You didn’t know about it. We’ve been invited to the Billings ranch for a party. Adults only. Tasha called with the invitation. You want to go?”
“Would it make you happy to go?”
“Not if you’re too tired to go,” she replies searching my face.
“Will it make you happy to go?”
“I … yes,” she replies as I give her a pointed look.
“Give me a minute to shower, shave, and close my eyes for a few. I’ll be good as new and ready to go.”
“You want me to fix you a sandwich or something?”
I peck her lips. “I could eat a sandwich or two. No Roman tonight?”
“The kids wanted to do a Tex-Mex night, so I gave him the evening off. Snacks has it from here.”
“Okay, I’ll get to it.”
I leave the room feeling lighter than I have in years. I text Brad to see if he’ll be there tonight. He confirms he will be and informs me that the men will be dressed formally.
I groan, ready to ask Cakes to stay in. Probably sensing I’m about to back out, Brad texts that he’s sending a car to pick us up. I look down at my watch and sigh. At least I have three hours.
CHAPTER 33
Still True
Trevor
I walk out of the rec center with LaSalle and Uri, heading for the smoke lounge. I almost didn’t leave with Lynn looking the way she does. If not for the fact that every man here only has eyes for their woman and the fact that Lynn knows I’m her man, I wouldn’t have.
I loosen my tie as I see the others have. When we step into the smoke lounge, I’m impressed. The walls are wrapped in glass. Behind the glass are racks of wines and other spirits. All top-shelf stuff. In the center of the room is a wooden carousel with an intricate woodwork design. The initial B is carved into the middle of the panels.
Misha moves to it and pulls open one of the panels to reveal it’s full of cigars. He plucks out a few and holds them out to us as we enter the room and take seats.
Logan, Brooklyn, Czar, Michael, and Vlad are all already seated. Misha says something to Vlad in Russian, causing him to laugh. The more I get to know these men, the more I’m learning each has multiple personalities.
Uri pours glasses of brown liquor as Michael goes to hand them out. Brad and I favor each other, but not as much as Uri and Michael. The two could pass for twins as if they are, like Caleb and Cameron.
Once everyone has a glass, LaSalle holds his up. We all follow suit. Michael takes a seat, but Uri and LaSalle remain standing and Misha and Logan rise.
“To family and a life hard fought for. Salute,” LaSalle says.
“Salute,” we all say and sip the whiskey.
It’s smooth and smoky. I nod my head at the glass and take another sip. It was a long day, but I can’t say I’m not happy we came over.
“Trevor, I didn’t ask you here to just have a smoke and drink. In this room, you have the heads of our family. It’s not one of blood, but one of immense trust. A bond we’ve forged through bloodshed and triumph,” LaSalle says.