Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“Dario,” I say in warning. My twin can be hotheaded and stubborn.
“Grandpa,” Bella squeals as she runs into the room.
Uncle Lucas ambles behind her. I pull a page from my father’s book and act as if nothing is amiss. It’s just another ordinary day. It’s what we do.
Lizzy
“Hey, Daddy,” I sing as I cup my father’s face and kiss his cheek.
He’s working on one of his classic cars again. Elijah Hemmingway is the best father in the world. I may not have his blood in my veins, but he has never treated me any different.
I never got to really know my biological father, Carl Manning. He and Elijah served together and were both engineers and techs. They had plans to start a business together, but my parents were taken from this earth much too soon. Elijah, like the kind and loving man he is, stepped up to raise his two goddaughters all on his own.
Carl was a brilliant man and built the company that made Elijah millions—leaving my sister and me to inherit fifty percent of said company. I wish I got to know my real father. His brain was amazing. However, I’ve come to know Elijah’s genius firsthand. He can put anything together.
Once when I was about eight, he built me an operational wooden Ferrari as a go-cart to race the kids in the neighborhood. I think he was making up for my father not being around to do something like that. He said my father totally would have.
“Hey, sweetheart, can you hand me that wrench?” He points to his tools neatly lined up on his station.
“Sure, what’s on your mind? You’re only out here when you need to think or clear your head,” I say, handing over the wrench.
“I’m thinking about your sister. She’s been away for too long. Once you went to work for Di Lorenzo, she took on a lot more work. I’m wondering if it’s time she takes a break.”
“Why? Did something happen? Is she okay?”
My sister is badass. If my father is worried, something must have gone wrong. Dad shakes his head. He places the wrench down and picks up a towel to wipe his hands on it.
“When your aunt started to train you girls, it was never so that you would get into the business. She wanted you guys to be able to protect yourselves. It certainly wasn’t for your sister to run out there chasing after ghosts and her personal demons.
“I wanted her to take the job with Gio, she was the one Denise assigned. I knew then she needed to be grounded, but she redirected him to you. I was so livid with her.”
I take this all in as my mind races. Aunt Denise was a part of my father’s team. He was both Elijah and Denise’s commander. When Aunt Denise left the service, she started a business with my mom. Aunt Denise still has that side hustle, and Nyla and I happened to fall into it—the reason Gio sought me out, or so I thought. I never knew the job was meant for Nyla.
“But I like my job,” I murmur.
He gives me a smile. “Yes, I know. I do believe you’re better suited now, but back then I was thinking about your sister’s safety. She can be so stubborn.”
“We spoke a few days ago. I think she’s on her way home for the holidays. Maybe you can talk to her then. Tell her how you feel. Make her see you could use some help around here,” I offer, always wanting to keep the peace.
He goes to answer, but the door to the garage starts to open, which it shouldn’t. Lightning fast, my father reaches for his guns mounted beneath the car he’s working on. Why am I not surprised?
He aims for the garage door and that’s when the stilettoed boots come into view. I know right away they belong to my sister.
“Jesus, Nyla,” Dad breathes.
“What? Are you guys not happy to see me?”
I squeal and race over to my sister to wrap her in a hug. Her sweet scent is the first thing to greet me, bringing comfort with it. Dad comes over to wrap us both in his embrace as we remain in a tight hug.
“Look at you girls. Your mother and father would be so proud,” Elijah croons.
Nyla pulls free and smiles up at Dad with sadness in her eyes. My sister was older than me when our parents died. She has taken it all so much harder.
Elijah’s face crumbles as he seems to take notice of the tension his comment has caused. I reach to place a hand on his forearm. I know he means well.
“I’m sure they would be,” I say. “As a matter of fact, I have a date this weekend. I think they would be proud I’m getting out of the house to interact with humans.”