Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“I’m so sorry about your jacket. I’ll have it dry-cleaned.”
“It’s okay,” Alek chuckles. “A little chocolate never killed anyone.”
“Hi,” Rosalie says, and holding one of the cups out to me, she smiles. “I brought a peace offering. In my defense, I didn’t know you had a history with Alek.”
“Yeah, and you wanted to hook me up with one of the new employees. Can you imagine how that would’ve gone?” I tease her to lessen the tension between us.
“New employee?” Alek asks, a dark frown on his face. “What new employee?”
Rosalie rolls her eyes at him. “I wanted to arrange a blind date between Everleigh and you.”
Immediately Alek relaxes then he grins at me. “See, even Rosalie thinks we make a great couple.”
“Don’t gang up on me,” I warn them. I point to the back of the store. “There’s a restroom in the back. Will you wash Vincent’s hands, please?”
“Sure.”
When Alek walks away, Rosalie takes hold of my hand and gives it a squeeze. “How are you doing? Viktor told me everything last night.”
“I’m processing everything.” I smile so she’ll feel better. “You didn’t know. I’m not angry.”
The worry doesn’t leave her eyes. “But how are you doing?”
“It’s a shock,” I admit. “I’m trying to focus on the positive. Vincent has his dad back.”
“And you? Do you think things will work out between you and Alek?”
I shrug. “It’s way too soon to say.”
“I want you to know I’m here for you. I don’t want this to affect our friendship. I like spending time with you.”
“I like hanging out with you, too,” I say to reassure her, but I can’t help mention, “I’m just not comfortable with the whole ‘bratva’ thing.”
“I understand.” Rosalie lets go of my hand and picks up her cup of coffee. “If you have any questions, just ask.”
“Mommy, look,” Vincent calls out. “Daddy did my hair.”
My eyes fly to Vincent’s head, where the short strands are perfectly in place.
“How did you get the strands to stay down?” I ask.
“Magic,” Alek chuckles. “And years of experience. That’s why I wear my hair on the longer side.”
Seeing Vincent and Alek together makes my heart squeeze. Our son really looks just like his daddy.
I glance between Rosalie and Alek, then ask, “Did you come together?”
“Yes, but I need to get home.” She glances at Alek. “I’ll have Peter drive me home.”
“Tell him to go to the house to make sure the men are doing their work,” Alek says.
“Will do.” Rosalie shoots me a smile. “I’ll call you so we can arrange a play date.”
“Okay.”
After Rosalie leaves, I glance at Alek. “You can put Vincent down. He has a little space in the corner where he plays during the day.”
Alek widens his eyes at Vincent. “You have a little corner?”
“Yes.” Our boy points to the back. “It’s that way.”
I shake my head as I watch them disappear behind an aisle of books.
“I brought all my favorite cars to show you, Daddy.”
A smile spreads over my face, and picking up the cup of coffee Rosalie brought for me, I take a sip as I continue to check the bestsellers lists.
I hear Vincent’s chuckle and Alek’s deep voice, and my smile grows.
Chapter 37
Alek
I had to leave the bookstore so I could take Viktor to his one o’clock meeting.
Every time I see Everleigh and Vincent, I feel a little calmer.
“What’s on your jacket?” Viktor asks. “It better not be shit.”
I let out a burst of laughter. “It’s chocolate.”
“Thank, fuck,” he mutters. When we get to the office, check on the shipments that are due. I want to know what the rest of the week looks like.”
“Okay.” Hesitating for a moment, I decide to go ahead and ask, “How did you get Rosalie to fall in love with you?”
“I kidnapped her,” he chuckles before he gets serious. “I showed her she’s safe with me. It took three years, Alek. She didn’t take it easy on me.” He glances out of the side window of the car. “Everleigh already loves you. Just remind her who you are.”
I nod as I steer the G-Wagon into the underground parking. “Any news on Brayden Kelly?” I ask as we climb out of the vehicle.
“No, but I’ve increased the hit on his head to two point five million, so he should be dead soon enough.”
“Hmm.”
That’s good news.
I make enough to give my family a good life, but I want that two point five million. And it will help me blow off some steam if I kill Kelly.
It’s a win-win situation.
I escort Viktor to his office before I head to the shipping department. I get the list of incoming shipments and tell the supervisor to email me an updated list daily.
While I wait for Viktor, I call Peter.
“Sir?”
“Do you have eyes on her?”
“Yes, sir. She’s walking through the aisles and seems to be checking the books.”