Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
I glance around for anything I can use, but aside from the throw-up-covered clothes, there’s nothing.
“Welp, guess I’m going to have to make a run for it.”
The moment I step out of the shower and open the bathroom door, I’m hit with the cold air. I take a deep breath and then sprint through my room and into the hallway to grab a towel from Lorenzo’s bathroom since his room is closest to mine.
As I carefully race down the hallway, trying not to slip and kill myself, water drips down my body and onto the floor, and I wonder if there would’ve been a better way of going about this, but since I’m already halfway there, I keep going.
I make it into Lorenzo’s room and grab one of his towels when I hear my cell phone ring.
“Shit!” I hiss, not bothering to wrap the towel around me as I race back to my bathroom to answer it.
After the morning Leo had, the last thing either of us needs is his nap being cut short.
“Hello?” I breathe out, not bothering to see who’s calling.
“Why the fuck are you running around my house naked?”
“Lorenzo?”
17
Lorenzo
“We’re going to need to get together with the inspector. Set up a meeting and make sure it’s on my calendar.”
My assistant, Kathleen, nods, and everyone files out of my office, except for Kane, Dominick, and Matteo since we’re having lunch brought in.
“I’m going to check on Peyton before lunch gets here,” Dominick says.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, she texted that Damien came home from school early, not feeling well.”
“How’s it going with your new wife?” Matteo asks with a smirk, no doubt remembering my antics when I was buzzed at the casino the other night.
“I was actually thinking about asking her out,” I admit.
Matteo’s eyes go wide, and I wait for him to tell me that’s a bad idea. He never held back how he felt about Hillary when we were together.
“Yeah? Well, normally, I’d say you shouldn’t risk it with that bitch on the loose,” Matteo says, “but I actually wanted to talk to you about that.”
“Wait. You’re not going to tell me going out with her is a bad idea?”
Matteo shrugs. “Dani likes her.”
“Bri does too,” Kane chimes in. “She’s making her some pregnancy dress or some shit.”
“Did you forget that she drugged me and then conned me into marrying and fucking her?” I point out.
“Her back was against the wall,” Matteo replies, shocking the hell out of me. “But if you have a problem with what she did, why are you thinking about asking her out on a date?”
Fuck, he’s got a point.
“So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?”
“With Leysa going quiet, she’s either given up or she’s hiding out, waiting for us to fuck up. And I’m leaning toward the latter. And since Vanessa is her new obsession, I was thinking, what if you two went out somewhere public, but not too public? Like a restaurant we own. My guys and I would be there, so she’d be completely protected, and we could try to draw that psycho bitch out from hiding.”
“I’d have to ask her and find a sitter for Leo …”
“Bri and I could watch him,” Kane says. “With her being due in a couple of months, it could be good practice.”
“You sure?” I ask.
“Yeah. She’s all nesting and shit.” Kane stands and pulls out his phone. “I’ll call and confirm with her now, but I know she’ll be on board.”
“Tonight?” Matteo asks.
“That’s last minute,” I note.
“What else are you doing tonight?” Matteo smirks like the asshole he is. “Besides, now you’ll be forced to ask her out instead of chickening out. Unless you don’t want to …”
Fucker.
“Fine, I’ll ask her out for tonight.”
Matteo grins smugly and stands. “I’ll make the arrangements. Let me know where you want to take her. I suggest Pasquale’s. They have the best Italian.”
Since I’m not sure what Vanessa likes, I nod in agreement, figuring I can’t go wrong with Italian.
“Yeah, okay. That place will work.”
“Great. Hopefully, we’ll lure this bitch out and take her out once and for all.”
With my office momentarily empty and lunch not having arrived yet, I check my phone, immediately concerned when I read a text from my sister from earlier.
Dani
I just wanted to check on Leo. Peyton said he threw up. I texted Vanessa, but haven’t heard back. If you guys need anything, I’m here.
What the fuck? Leo’s sick?
I double-check and don’t find a single call or text from Vanessa. I’m about to call her when I stop myself. I trust her, and if she thought she needed to call me, she would.
I set my phone down, but the thought of not knowing if my son is okay hits too strong, and I pick up my phone and click on the security app.