Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Poet cupped her face in her hands. “You told me that you loved me, and that I was lovable. You looked at me the other night as we lay in my backyard under the stars, and said, ‘Kage, you’re beautiful.’” His voice cracked as he fought strong emotions. “Well, I learned from the best. All of you is beautiful, Poet, every inch of you. Every piece of your heart ’nd soul was kissed by angels, and I love you more than words…”
The woman’s chest rose unsteadily as she looked into his eyes while he spoke. The possibility of her having been hurt while his house was under siege crashed his mind. For five seconds, her life flashed before his eyes—the possible loss of her. The end of the love that he never knew existed. She was everything he wanted in a mate, and so much more. He hated Grandpa for what he had brought to their doorstep. It didn’t matter that the old man hadn’t orchestrated the hit. If it had not been for him, none of this would have transpired. Life was too fragile. He didn’t want to be sloth-like and indifferent anymore. He didn’t want to let love pass him by one day longer.
He moved away from the darkness of his thoughts, and back into the light.
“So, baby, I’m takin’ today, right now, this very second, to ask you if you’ll be my wife. Poet Constantine, will you marry me?”
Poet showed her entire face now, and as her tears flowed freely, she smiled.
“Yes. Yes, I will marry you, Kage!”
Huni clapped as he slipped the ring on her finger.
“Time to celebrate. I’m pouring wine!” the old woman exclaimed as she raced to the kitchen, leaving them two lovebirds behind. Just as he was simmering in the good feeling and holding Poet close, his phone rang. He held up a finger, slid the device from his pocket and looked at the number. He didn’t recognize it. Something told him to answer it anyhow…
“Yeah…”
“Good evening, Mr. Wilde. This is Francesco Sivero.” Kage’s entire body burst in flames. “It seems you took out some men of mine today, in a barbaric way, and I was told by the few that managed to drive away in order to save their own cowardly lives, that you—”
“If you were there, I’d have done the same to you. Fuck you, fuck your men, fuck their daddies, and fuck their mammies. Don’t call my gotdamn phone again, or the next number you call will be 911.”
“Wait! Don’t hang up just yet. You’ve proven yourself to be a worthy adversary, but our fight was never with you. In fact, believe it or not, I didn’t arrange the ambush you were confronted with this evening. Another family member of mine did, wanting justice for the altercation and subsequent death of my nephew. I wanted justice, too, there’s no mistakin’ that, because I don’t care for you. I understand a man’s need to defend himself, but you went above and beyond. I don’t like you, and in fact, if you died right this second, I would appreciate it very much, but that won’t bring anyone back from the dead, now will it? Regardless, you were a byproduct, Kage. A favor gone wrong. Things have gotten out of hand.” He chuckled. “Don’t you agree?”
“What in the fuck do you want?”
“You should have never been the target, so, I want to call a truce, and make you a deal.”
“Like I’d trust you after everything that’s happened!”
Huni appeared holding a serving tray laden with three wine flutes filled with alcohol. Confusion crossed her face.
“That’s understandable. Just hear me out. I will prove it to you, once and for all…”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Tea and Trespassers
A couple of weeks later…
Kage served Poet a cup of green tea with a slice of lemon from her farm. She had four thriving lemon trees on her property, and the fruits were selling fast at the monthly farmer’s market. He was a lucky duck who often got the surplus. She sat at the kitchen table sipping it, wearing her oversized, worn overalls and showcasing a rather peaked complexion. She’d been battling a cold, so he’d insisted on picking her up and bringing her to his home to rest, especially since Aunt Huni was on some afternoon senior excursion to an electronic bingo hall with an all-you-can eat restaurant.
“I never take off work, but I had to today.” She sneezed, then took another sip of the tea. “I rarely get sick, but I suppose I was overdue. I look a mess.” She ran her fingers through her tousled curls.
“You look beautiful, actually.” She offered a watery smile. “You’re glowin’. Don’t fret, you’ll be better in no time.”
“A, Kage, I hope you don’t mind, but I started lookin’ into wedding venues. I knew you were busy trying to heal and cleanin’ up your house after what happened, so I did it on my own.”