Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Not listening, my boots hit the ground running as I lift my hands, holding my weapon ready.
Somehow, the Mercedes landed upright. The driver's door opened, and the guard fell out during the accident, but from his brains spilling over the sand, I’m pretty sure he’s dead.
I reach the front passenger side first, and ripping the door open, I grab Anton by his throat and haul his ass out of the car before slamming the handle of my gun into his face. “You thought you could hide, motherfucker.”
Terror creeps into his eyes, and it feeds the vengeance in me.
Behind me, Boris stumbles from the wreck and begins to run, but Santino tackles the bastard to the ground. Boris swings at Santino, but my friend knocks him out with two quick punches.
I hit Anton again, just for the fucking pleasure it gives me, before I drag the fucker toward the SUVs.
My men move in fast, bringing zip ties, and while they restrain the assholes, I watch, a sliver of peace returning to my soul, knowing I have them.
When they load Anton into one of the trunks, I step closer and smirk at him. “Nina’s waiting. My woman has a lot of anger to get rid of. She really liked the idea of skinning you alive and cutting off your dick.”
I indicate for them to close the trunk and watch as Santino slams the other one shut with Boris inside.
I climb into the passenger seat of our SUV, and when Santino slides in behind the steering wheel, I grin at him. “Let’s go home. I want them in the cells.”
Nina
“Eat your carrots,” I tell Simi when she pushes them around her plate.
“No.” My daughter pouts, her jaw setting with a stubborn look. “Georgi doesn’t.”
“Carrots are good for you.” I pick one up and hold it in front of her mouth. “Come on.”
She presses her lips together and shakes her head, causing frustration to slither into my chest.
Just then, I hear the elevator doors open, and I hurry out of the kitchen to see who’s here, my heart quickly increasing to a thundering beat.
The sight of Raya lets me exhale an audible, relieved breath.
“Hi. With Georgi gone, I finally get to spend some time with you,” she says, her tone cheerful and a friendly smile easing over her face.
“Hi.”
I glance at Simi, noticing the moment she realizes it’s not Georgi. Her chin begins to quiver, and she looks down at the carrots she’s refusing to eat.
My child was not happy when she woke up the day before yesterday and didn’t find Georgi in the penthouse, and she’s been moody ever since.
“What’s wrong?” Raya asks when she reaches me.
I gesture at Simi. “She misses Georgi, and…and…” My throat closes up as tears threaten to fall. “She’s being difficult, and I don’t know what to do because this is all new to me.”
Georgi would probably set her down on his lap, and she’d eat everything he feeds her. He’s so much better with Simi than me and it makes me feel like a failure.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” Raya rubs her hand up and down my arm. “Rome wasn’t built in a day, Nina.”
We walk to the island where Simi is sitting in her kid chair, and when she frowns at Raya, my heart sinks even more.
“Oh my word, is someone in a bad mood?” Raya asks, her tone dramatic. “You know what I do whenever Georgi is in a bad mood?”
Interest trickles into Simi’s eyes as she shakes her head.
Raya lifts her hands and wiggles her fingers. “I tickle him until he laughs.” Suddenly, she pounces on Simi, teasing her sides until my daughter is crying with laughter.
Everyone is better with Simi.
I cover my mouth with my hand, fighting to keep the tears back.
“Now,” Raya glances at me, then asks Simi, “How can we make your mama laugh?”
Simi looks at me, and seeing I’m struggling, she holds her hand out to me. “Come, Mama. Carrots are good for you.”
I move closer and sit down on the stool beside her. She picks up a carrot and feeds it to me. While I chew, I say, “Now it’s your turn.”
When she finally pops one into her mouth, I swear it feels like I’ve reached the top of Mt. Everest. I throw my arms into the air and shriek with happiness. “Yay! Mama’s so happy.”
After that, Simi eats all her carrots.
I give Raya a thankful look, to which she shrugs. “I didn’t do anything. That was all you.” She opens the fridge and helps herself to a soda before coming to sit at the island. “Sooo, you both know I’m Georgi’s sister. I’m younger by four years. Unlike him, I like to stay indoors to chill.” She taps her chin, then grins at Simi. “And I love castles and horses.”