Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 182(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Even before she put this collar around my neck.
Once the prisoner’s body is secure in the contraption, a board with glued on materials to further hide the actual contents is slid on top to be one last counter measure in an unexpected quick search. Breathing holes are cleverly placed along the backside near the wall guaranteeing air during the short trip and having the new fighters subdued for the drive prevents them from using those same openings to scream for help.
It’s quite an intricate process.
One that further demonstrates how powerful we are when we work together.
Kash’s team member gives me a dismal nod as Emilio begins to put light boxes on top of the container. “Sir, can I ask you something?”
I allow my stare to remain on his actions yet allow the rest of my attention to reply, “Da.”
“Do you uh…happen to know if the house has any positions open?”
“Pochemu?” My expression remains unchanged. “Is…unhappy?” Scrutinizing his movements doesn’t cease until he’s finished. “You no longer like deliveries?”
“No! No! I love my shit!” Emilio insists before exiting the truck to secure the doors from the outside. “I just uh…I’ve got a baby cousin in need of…uh…work. He uh…owes his parents…well…uh…a lot of cash.”
“You say uh too much.” I cock my head slightly to one side. “Is nervous. Why?”
“I uh…I don’t usually ask people for favors,” he confesses without reluctance.
“No like being in debt to others.”
“Exactly.”
Nodding my understanding is effortless. “What Madam say when ask her?”
“To ask you. That it’s your household too.”
It’s impossible not to flash a prideful smirk. “Will send Rosa to find you in morning.”
“Thanks, sir.”
“Route B.”
Emilio acknowledges the order with a single nod and heads for the front of the vehicle to begin his trek back to the estate.
Lavoie escorts me to the other end of the beach in silence. He remains tight lipped throughout his security check of our SUV – scanning for tracking devices and suspicious mechanical issues – however, the second his driver’s door is closed, he inquires about the actual biggest fish I’ve ever caught, a topic that we manage to latch onto for the entire duration of our journey. Our course home differs from Emilio’s – another security measure – and is intentionally lengthier to ensure we don’t have unwanted company injecting themselves into the situation. Bragging about my past water adventures successfully shifts me from Mr. Kessler to Yavok, the man I need to be when I walk through our front door.
The man vaimoni needs to hear when she calls to check in.
The man lapseni need to see when they open their eyes in a few hours.
Arriving home, a little after two, I expect to be welcomed by nothing except the quiet, but instead, echoes of familiar giggles are heard right after I’ve finished shrugging off my jacket. I casually stroll from the foyer to the main kitchen where I suspect the source of the sounds can be found.
And as I predicted, they are.
Cora puts the box of Coco Puffs on the marble island space next to Kat who is swinging her dangling legs back and forth. “Pretty sure there’s enough in your bowl now.”
My daughter’s expression grows mischievous. “Pretty sure it needs one more shake.”
Our head of kitchen staff drops her hands firmly onto her slender hips. “I just gave you one more shake.”
“One more shake makes five shakes,” my oldest explains, devilish grin resembling that of Remy’s. “And five is a pretty number. And we like pretty numbers.”
To no surprise, Cora smirks. Grabs the box again. Sighs in defeat and shakes another round of cereal into the oversized bowl beside Kat.
And this is why Remy isn’t worried.
Her little successor is already proving how much control she has in the world.
“There.” Cora places the object down once more. “Now, the whole box is basically in your bowl.”
The sweet yet nefarious smile she inherited from the love of my life is flashed again. “We could just dump the rest in there, and then recycle the box. Help the environment! Go green and stay green!”
“Dovol'no, moya malen'kaya balerina,” I sweetly scold during my approach. “And you know it enough.”
She squeaks in surprise and peers around the thin female blocking her direct view. “Papa!”
Before I can ask for the details of the situation, they’re being volunteered by Cora, “She said she couldn’t sleep and that a snack would help, so I brought her here myself instead of waking Arlene up. Vlad’s been struggling to stay down all night, which means she’s basically just cat napping on and off.”
“Is…” my index finger is lifted to assist in the explanation, “…getting teeth.”
“Oh, he’s teething, again?!” Cora exclaims, both hands flying to rest over her heart. “Poor thing!”
“Da.” A playful smirk slips onto my face. “Poor everyone.”
She snickers and steps to the side to allow me the space in front of my daughter. “I so do not look forward to that with little Court.”