Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 99413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Get out. Go home.”
CHAPTER 23
He’s Coming Home
LaSalle
“What’s that smile about?”
“Sammy is on his way back in the morning. You and Elijah can stop giving me the stink eye and asking when he will return,” I say as I sit down on the couch.
Tasha is surrounded by the kids, so I have to take the spot next to Sunny who’s tucked into her side. I lean in and kiss her temple. Jessica and Megan look up from their spots on the floor on either side of Tasha’s legs.
They are all watching movies together. While Sammy is homeschooled, the other older kids attend a private academy. Jess and Meg had a half day, so Tasha has been with the kids all day doing activities and keeping them busy.
“Sammy’s coming home?” Jess asks. “I miss him.”
“From Wyatt’s text, he will be boarding a flight in the morning. I think we all missed him.”
“I hope we can have a sleepover,” Elijah says with a grin on his little face.
“We should give him some time to settle in. We don’t want to overwhelm him on his first day back,” Tasha says.
“Are we going on our vacation now?” Megan asks.
“I guess we can start to plan.”
“Yay,” the kids cheer.
“I want to go to the place with the big mouse,” Paulie says.
“Yeah, Disney would be fun,” Megan says.
I smile and look at Tasha. She shrugs. I don’t think that’s what she had in mind, but we’ll make it happen for them.
“I think we should vote,” Jessica says.
“In that case, we’ll wait for Sammy to come home,” I say.
“That’s fair,” Tasha says. “You guys start getting ready for bed. Bathtime. Karen, I need to wash your hair.”
“I’ll take Paulie and Sunny for their baths.”
“Thanks. You know this might take a while.”
I lean in and peck her lips. I’m always here to make her load lighter. Giving the boys their baths is the least I can do.
***
I stand in our bedroom, lighting candles to create a romantic ambience. It’s been a long day, and I want to give my wife a chance to relax.
“What are you up to?” Tasha asks as she enters the room.
I look up from the candles I’m lighting with a glass of wine in my other hand. A smile comes to my lips as I look her over. Even in sweats and a tank top with her hair up in a ponytail, she’s the most beautiful woman in the world to me.
“Snooze” by SZA featuring Justin Bieber is playing in the background. Tasha was listening to this track the other day and some of the lyrics stuck with me.
I know for a fact I can’t lose with her by my side. My gut is telling me another challenge is coming. I’ve played Sammy’s words over in my head, knowing how important it is to listen to what’s said as much as how it’s said.
Sammy said that was their final major challenge against me. Not that I won’t be challenged again. After analyzing his words and thinking about what I now know about Misha, I can’t help feeling like someone out there wants to see LaSalle Locatelli in full force one more time.
Scorching the earth once wasn’t enough for them. I will blaze again, and this woman will be by my side. If there are bodies to bury, Tasha will have the shovels and maps of where to spread the bodies out before she burns the maps and all other evidence.
How can I place such a heavy crown on her head and not pamper her and check in as much as I can? She deserves every moment I plan to focus on her tonight.
“I feel like you need a reminder of how much you’re loved. Come here,” I reply.
She saunters over to me and takes the glass of wine I hold out to her. I pick up the other one and lift it for a toast. Her eyes sparkle as she looks back at me.
“What should we toast to?”
“To days and nights filled with love and passion. May you never rest your head without knowing just how much I love you.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
We clink our glasses together, then take a sip. Her face brightens as she swallows. I special-ordered this one.
We had it on a trip to Italy and she loved it. I was thinking of her one day and called to have a case shipped in. Once she finishes her glass, I take it and place it down with mine. Moving to lace my fingers with hers, I then grab the bottle of oil I set out and walk her over to the sitting area of our bedroom.
After placing the oil on the coffee table, I take a seat on the sofa, stretching one of my long legs out. I then pull her down between my legs. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I then tug her back against my chest.