Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 38276 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38276 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Zoe will give me hell. I’m already expecting it. I’ve ordered her a rental in the meantime. I had it delivered to her house on the promise that it would only be for a few days. I gave her the excuse that Dave needed time to fix the brakes. She told me she’d just hitch a ride to work with her dad instead and refused the rental. I didn’t like it, but I let her think she won. I’m learning when it comes to Zoe, I need to pick my battles.
“Callan Miller, long time no speak,” Marco says when he picks up the phone. His assistant transferred me to his line after a brief hold.
“That’s for sure. How have you been?”
“Things are good. Unless you’re calling to give me bad news. This isn’t about the tax issues, right? I’m hoping everything was fixed the first time.”
“No, that’s all good. I’m looking into purchasing a vehicle with certain safeguards that I know you could understand.”
We don’t discuss the fact that both of us have mob ties, but it’s an unspoken understanding. That’s why I know he will pick up on my word choice. He’ll understand that I’m not looking for the bells and whistles offered on a showroom floor. Zoe may not be connected to Niko’s world, and hell, I’m not either, to an extent. Still, I deal with people that are. That means my woman needs that extra protection.
I could’ve just gone to Niko for them but with Niko being dead set against me starting anything with Zoe, he wouldn’t have agreed. He doesn’t understand that I’m keeping Zoe. I don’t need to hear from him how he knows everything will end badly. That’s bullshit. Nothing is going to end. Ever. I’m going to keep her and be the man that gives her those babies she’s talked about.
Hell, I’ve even called realtors to start finding me a house with a picket fence and lots of bedrooms. It might be a little crazy and if I brought it up to her, it would scare Zoe. So, buying her an SUV that has bullet-proof glass and a hidden GPS system—one that’s made to locate her, even if the factory one is disabled—is my way of protecting her. Keeping Zoe in the dark is giving her time to get adjusted to me. I don’t need her to run away from me. That’s the last thing I want.
That’s why I plan on not telling her about the hidden options on the Mercedes GLS. Yes, she will think it costs close to one hundred grand when really, with what I’m having it equipped with, it’ll be a lot more. I don’t give a fuck if it keeps her safe.
“Is everything good there?” Marco asks.
“Damn good,” I murmur. “I just want to make sure my woman is protected when I can’t be there. She’s very headstrong, so it’s something I need done quickly.”
“It’s women with that vein of stubborn in them you must watch out for, my friend. I married one, so I would know,” Marco says, laughing.
“I’ve discovered that,” I joke.
“Well, if you’re protecting someone precious, I think I can help you. I have a nephew in Vegas. His name is Brendan Russo. He owns a luxury car dealership. He can get all the options you’re looking for and have the car delivered to you quickly.”
“Perfect. What am I looking at price wise?”
“You’re looking at starting…two fifty. It could be more.”
“You know I’m good for it,” I tell him.
“I do. I’ll call Brendan this afternoon around three. I’ll make sure he’s expecting you.”
“Thanks, Marco. I appreciate it. I’ll owe you one.”
“Anytime. There are no markers between friends. We’ll talk soon.”
“Sounds good. Thanks again.” I click off my phone and recline back in my seat, satisfied with how things are going. Zoe needs to be protected.
God, I need her.
I hate that I won’t be seeing her until our date but soon, I will make sure a day doesn’t go by without having her close to me.
I need to call and get the balloons delivered to her. I want her to know I’m thinking of her. Besides, it will give Zoe something else to chastise me about. The thought makes me smile. Life with Zoe will never be boring, that’s for sure.
Chapter 16
Zoe
I can’t stop myself. I’m having lunch with Emilia and every other word out of my mouth is about Callan. I’m not the type to talk about this kind of stuff. Still, I want her to know. She is my best friend, and I need her advice desperately.
“On top of falling asleep in his arms, he had my car towed to the garage and even got me a rental. I told him to send the thing back. I can’t owe him for everything,” I grumble. “He has to be insane, right? Who does all that for someone they barely know?”