Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 53428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“What is the percentage that the Killer Crows will give to the DeLuca Family?”
“Whatever you want? You rule this area.” I placed my hands on the table. “But, understand that this percentage comes with a loyal army behind you. And if you have an army, you might as well use it and go to war.”
She frowned. “Did Sun Tzu say that?”
“No, I say it.”
“I don’t want to go to war if I don’t have to. I simply want peace for the Killer Crows.”
I pointed at her. “After all that has been done to the Killer Crows, you all should be running Paradise City by yourselves.”
She pursed her lips.
I fisted my hand. “I understand your loyalty to the East, but the North and South should be bowing to my queen, and that is what I intend on them doing after we marry. You will be the only person that wears the crown in Paradise City.”
“And what about you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Won’t you be wearing a crown also?”
“No. Paradise City only needs one ruler. I have enough on my plate. However,” I hit her with a devilish smile. “Understand that while you are a queen on these streets, I am king in our bedroom.”
A heavy silence settled between us and the air felt electric. I watched her intently, wondering what thoughts were swimming in the depths of her beautiful mind. The tension was palpable as I leaned back in my chair. My eyes never left her perfect face.
I decided to break the silence. “After we are married, what will you want me to do, Kash? Stand down from destroying the Diamond Syndicate or move forward with war?”
She swallowed. “Let’s table this topic for another day. We have enough going on, and for now the Diamond Syndicate has been helpful to the Killer Crows.”
“They’ve been helpful because they know the Boogeyman is in their town, waiting to eat them up.”
She smirked. “And in this metaphor, you are the Boogeyman?”
“Do you doubt that?”
“Not one bit.” She tapped the table. “Dima said something interesting to me today.”
“What did he say?”
“He saw our kiss and commented that I was running the relationship.”
“Then, he is even more observant than I give him credit for.”
She blinked.
Tomasso hurried over with a woman in a white suit. She had dark brown skin, and a short curly black afro.
She pushed a large cart over stacked with tiny plates displaying savory hors d’oeuvres.
Tomasso stopped her at our table and held out his hands. “And here is the gorgeous couple.”
She smiled at us.
“This is Chef Julieta Ramirez.” Tomasso gestured to her. “I’ve heard that she is the best wedding caterer in Paradise City and providing gourmet cuisine and elegant touches to celebrations.”
“Oh, that is too kind.” Julieta waved at us. “I am simply passionate about helping two people in love see their dreams come true.”
“And that makes me quite happy to work with you.” Tomasso picked up a plate and placed it on the table in front of Kashmere and me. Two golden crusted balls sat in the center. Some sort of white herbed sauce topped them. Tomasso clapped. “Just look at this sophisticated plating. Stylish, yet mouth-watering. She’s clearly an artist. I may steal you away from Paradise and make you my top assistant.”
Julieta chuckled, but I knew Tomasso wasn’t joking at all. He had a reputation for stealing people’s chefs. Once he’d been invited to a Made Man’s home for dinner, and hired the chef by dessert.
The Made Man had called Don Enzo to get permission to kill Tomasso, which he did not receive.
Meanwhile, the chef left with Tomasso. If I remembered correctly. . .that chef was Knight who was now his assistant.
“Well thank you so much, Tomasso.” Julieta gazed at us. “I want your wedding planning to be stress-free.”
Kashmere snorted. “Let us hope that will be the truth.”
I eyed her. “It will.”
“For your wedding, I thought that your reception menu could be a fusion of Southern Soul Food and Italian cuisine.” Julieta pointed to the plate before us. “First, we have risotto balls drizzled with goat cheese.”
“It smells so good.” Kashmere picked up her fork and lifted one ball.
Curving my lips into a smile, I lovingly watched her sample that and moan.
You will definitely have my cock in your mouth this evening.
She moaned again. “So good. Santino, try it.”
“I would rather watch you eat the next one.”
She sucked her teeth. “This is your wedding reception too. Make sure you love the food.”
I picked up my fork and took a bite of the remaining risotto ball. As soon as it hit my tongue, I found that it had an excellent balance of flavors and was crunchy on the outside, yet soft on the inside, exactly the way I loved it.
“If you want to make any changes to the menu, please let me know and I will listen closely to your ideas and include any requests that you might have.” She began placing more small plates on the table in front of us. “My goal is to craft a personalized reception dinner that feels unique to you both as well as delights your guests’ taste buds.”