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)
A smile slowly comes to my face. I should have thought of this myself. I take a deep, cleansing breath to relax and think. He is right.
“Da, you are right. I haven’t lost yet. We do this, but we do on my time. I will go to handle this one on my own.”
“I figured you would say that. I will make arrangements for when it is time.”
Tasha
“You look good. I was getting worried about you,” Val says as she pulls me into her embrace.
I pull away with a smile on my face, then run a hand through my new haircut. I had it cut into a bob that stops just below my chin. It now looks healthy and is full of body.
Today I have it curled to show off all the body, layers, and bounce. I’m wearing one of LaSalle’s white dress shirts with a belt around the waist and thigh-high black leather heeled boots that made the man growl in my ear with promises of a steamy evening once our children are in bed tonight.
I smile at the thought as I reply to Val. “Girl, that spa day saved my life.”
“Uri told me about that. I love that boy more with each passing day. Uri was tickled when he asked him to help plan that day for you and LaSalle.”
“You guys are the ones who helped him? I was wondering about that.”
“I didn’t help. That was all Uri. Did you know Sammy had roses sent to all the girls with thank-you cards and sweet messages addressed to each of us?”
“Thank-you cards?”
“Yeah, for the things we do for him. No two cards were the same.”
“I love that kid so much. LaSalle looks at him like he’s so proud of him and I can’t blame him. I am too.”
“I’m letting you know now. I’m going to beat the life out of his girlfriends if they try to break his heart. I want nothing but the best for him,” she says.
“Girlfriends, I’m not ready. Megan has been texting her little friend from school. That smile on her lips almost got that boy hurt.
“Girl, the way LaSalle stopped and started watching her, then asked who she was texting. If Sammy hadn’t been there to answer for her and reassure his father it was nothing—” I stifle a laugh and shake my head. “They are growing up too fast.”
“Tell me about it. Vita’s mosquito bites are turning into something I can’t ignore. I had to break down and buy her a bra. She’s nine; like, what the hell is going on? I’m changing her diet to vegan,” Val grumbles as we go to take our seats.
I sigh. “Took Jess shopping for her first training bra and realized Megan needs her own. You are preaching to the choir. Did you order?”
“No. Chef Eric is in, so I waited for you.”
“Oh, I didn’t know he was back.”
“I ran into him coming in.”
I nod. Val must have entered through the kitchen, as we tend to do most of the time. I came in through the front today as I rode with LaSalle, who has a meeting here.
Club Smoke, Fire, and Desire NY is our spot. We come to eat, relax, and kick back as we talk over Bella business at least once a week. Although it’s been a while since we’ve taken advantage of the spa and amenities here.
“Anna got on my nerves last week. I think Uri and LaSalle had a talk with her. I don’t think she’s coming back.”
Just like that, I’m reminded why we stopped. Anna was a chef here. She had a habit of rubbing all of us the wrong way, but she was Ramses’s hire. We didn’t want to make waves for the guys.
“Good, because her ass had one more time to say something slick to me or to look at my husband like she was fucking him in her mind. She only got the one pass because this is his business, but he has partners.”
Val rolls her eyes. “I doubt either of them would have sided with her. Remi and Ramses know the deal.”
“I thought Ramses had something going on with her.”
Val waves me off. “He used to. That’s why her ass was so bold, but he’s done with her.”
“Figures,” I snort. “Old stink-ass attitude.”
“Right. That’s exactly why she ended up with my gun in her mouth.”
“What?” My eyes go wide as I look back at her.
She shrugs and picks up her menu, telling me there is way more to the story. I should have known. Eric wasn’t supposed to be back for another two months.
“Anyway, I love those earrings,” she sings.
Then she reaches for my ear, fingering the white-gold chandelier earrings LaSalle gifted me this morning. When I asked what the gift was for, he smiled at me and told me it was because he loves me. My cheeks heat as I think about how I thanked him.