Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 100791 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100791 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
“Okay, okay,” Bee whispered, beginning to pace. “If we can’t make a move because they’re watching the place... and they won’t make a move until your brothers arrive, then... then we have a very short window to crack some skulls open.”
I smirked even as my head pounded with pain. “This is why you’re my favorite.”
KENZIE
I settled Laurel in the crib, smoothing down her wearable blanket. Ducking out of the room, I turned out the light and gently shut the door.
Padding out to the living room, I found River in the kitchen, standing over a boiling pot of something that smelled delicious.
I had no idea what to think when the third cabbie pulled up in front of the brownstone. River insisted that we keep switching cabs and take the most confusing route to throw off anyone who could’ve been following us. That meant we arrived at our accommodations well after dinnertime.
The first thing Sienna did when she stepped out of the car was head straight for the artists’ café across the street, promising to bring back dessert when she was done. That left River and me to get the baby inside, feed her, and get her down for the night while River started dinner.
With my task complete, I finally had a chance to take a proper look around, and first looks said this place was swanky.
Hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, plush white carpets carving out the living room and the dining room, a huge sectional in front of the big screen, and everything in the massive kitchen was spotless from the marble countertop to the six-burner gas stove.
“Wow, River. This place is amazing. Is it yours?”
He shook his head as I came in and hopped on the countertop, watching him cook with interest.
“It’s a friend of a friend’s friend,” he replied. “Well, it’s their income property. They rent it out to people on vacation. I figured it was better to be safe and stay somewhere not connected to me or the Merchants.”
“But does this friend of a friend’s friend know we’re staying here?” My brows popped. “We’re not doing that thing where we break into someone’s place because it’s empty, are we? Because I’ve watched enough New York crime shows to be very scared of the NYPD, and I do not need them busting in here guns blazing with Laurel in the next room.”
He laughed. “They definitely know we are here, Kenzie. You did watch me use a key to open the door, not a lockpick and rock.” River dropped a peck on my cheek while leaning over to reach the spice rack. “Debs said it’s cool since it’s only for one night.”
“Okay. Well, in that case, what are you making?”
“There wasn’t much to work with, so I’m making Cajun shrimp and rice.”
“Oooh,” I crowed, kicking my feet. “Sounds yum.”
River gave me a look out of the corner of his eye. “Have you thought about what you’re going to say to Frost? How you’ll confront him?”
“Oh, yes.” My smile dimmed. “I know exactly what to say to Damien.”
He squeezed my wrist—a quick and comforting gesture before returning to stirring the rice.
“Can I ask you something?” I heard myself say.
“Always.”
“What’s your plan, River? Long term,” I clarified. “I know most of the crew are living in the Leighbridge shelters, and you’re living there and running them now, but do you think you’ll ever settle down? Have a home? A family?”
“Stop being the Rat King, you mean.” River flashed me a wry grin. “I’ve thought about that a lot over the years. Thought about it even more after falling in love with you.”
I flushed to hear him say that so easily. With another unhappy reunion with Damien on the horizon, I couldn’t help looking back on our relationship more and more. And right then, I was thinking how rushed and thrown-away all of his I love yous were. Nothing like the sweet, honest, sincere I love yous from the man next to me.
“If I set up in a real house with a real job, a bank account, a mortgage, credit, and all that shit, well then, just like that, everything changes. I go from the Artful Dodger to the Fagin, and when that happens, my crew—the people who’ve been on my side and watching my back for years—will have nothing to do with me.”
“You won’t be the Fagin,” I cried. “Fagin was a greedy miser who hoarded the wealth he forced children to steal for him—letting them live in squalor while he went all Smeagol over his gold.”
River barked a laugh. “Smeagol?”
“Hey, if you can make literary references, so can I.” We laughed again, but I sobered quickly. “It’s not the same, River. You would never use and abuse your friends like that. You’d never stuff your face with everything while they sat at your feet begging for scraps of anything.”