Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
The volume of her voice got lower and I heard the click of heels on floor and then outside noises.
“Wait, she’s got Luc’s girls in the backyard. They’re playing in the snow. Tessa’s boys must be at daycare. I don’t know where Luc and the baby are.”
“Snow?” I asked. “Lots?”
“We got a dumping of it overnight. You out of town?”
“Yeah. Business. But things need to go on lockdown. Need to find Tess immediately.”
“Oh, uh, you texted her?”
“I called. No answer. Luc isn’t there in another part of the house or something?”
Fuck. Both my sisters unguarded.
“I’m not sure but I don’t think so. I’ll ask Sarah.”
“I need to talk to Sarah,” I started and then changed my mind. If Lisa was gonna continue to be a member of this family, we had to get over this awkward dance and she needed to be able to act quickly in a crisis.
“Scratch that,” I said. “I need you to keep things calm at the house and keep Sarah and the kids there. Find out where Luciana is and text me. Anyone else there?”
“Dex is around somewhere, I think. Unless he is over at your house. He’s been back and forth today. Tessa might be at the restaurant. She’s been helping Eddy with prep a few days a week.”
“Right. No panic all right, but stay there until you hear from me or unless I give Dex a change in orders. Yeah?”
“Okay,” she answered softly.
“I’ll get word to you guys when things are cool. Ask Sarah about Luc and text me. I need you to be cool and collected, Lisa.”
“Got it,” she replied and her voice sounded sure.
Me? I wasn’t sure about her yet, but Dex was on her heels and reporting to me and Dare that she seemed adjusted since returning from her retreat. I wasn’t fully convinced, but she was getting some leeway from me.
I’d had a brief text discussion with Tia last night and first thing this morning to check in. I called Tino, who was overseeing security for the house, and told him what was up as well as to make sure he got someone to catch up with Luciana, pronto, to make sure she was okay. He called back to confirm all was still well.
I got a text from Lisa, saying Luc had the baby at the doctor’s for a check-up and Dex told me he was having security meet up with her. Tino said that at my house, Tia and her friends were eating breakfast. I told him to subtly get rid of them and hustle Tia over to Pop’s house. I scrolled to my brother’s contact details and called him.
Dare answered. He and Angel were in Italy and they were at a restaurant for dinner. They’d spent the day at the hospice with Dare’s mother Annette, seeing Dare’s stepfather. Some girls would’ve complained about going to see her new husband’s dying step-father on their honeymoon, but not my brother’s girl.
Like me, he had lucked out in the wife department. Not that it was easy; seemed like real love never fucking was easy. And also not that either of us were worthy of everything we got from our women. I know I certainly wasn’t.
I cut my brother off from talking when he was clearly not picking up on my vibe and kept talking about whatever, like we were just shooting the breeze. I told Dare the gist of what was up, but we figured there was no point in him cutting his honeymoon short until we knew exactly what was what. I told him there was bullshit with Leo, told him about the chart, and said Tessa was off radar and that we were on it. I let him go, saying I’d keep him posted.
I got a text from Tino.
Your girl needs to cut the sass.
Shit.
I called Tia.
“Baby. End the party. You’re needed with the girls. Now.”
“Tino’s trying to drive the girls home already. We just got up and we’re only half way through –”
“Tia. You’re all going on lock down. Get off the fuckin’ phone and listen to Tino,” I snapped.
She usually respected Nino, knew he didn’t fuck around, so her attitude with Nino’s twin was surprising since Tino wasn’t nearly as friendly as Nino.
“Oh,” her voice went small. “What’s wrong?”
“Do it now, Athena. Gotta go.”
“Kay,” her voice went smaller. “Love you.”
She hung up to do what she was told before I could reply.
3
I was leaving the daycare, where I’d just dropped off Antonio and Lucas for the day.
I was heading to Venetia for prep before the lunch rush. I’d started helping out a few days a week; my brother-in-law was having some staffing problems, so he needed the help. He has high standards. His kitchen was like Hell’s Kitchen. He had fired three people last week for their laziness.