Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Back in the day, this place wouldn’t have been an option for me and my mom. Boy, have I come a long way. I wonder what my mother will say now. That’s another bridge I need to cross.
I’m grateful to Uncle Claude for taking her on a vacation. I need more time to think about how I plan to deal with things. My life might be better for me, but the truth of it is the exact opposite of what my mother wanted for me.
Rico
I haven’t been this happy in years. I once put an ice pick through a guy’s eye because he joked that I needed to get laid. In all fairness, he sent a stripper to my club for me.
I didn’t find it funny. It was the anniversary of when I met Oni, and the stripper favored her too much, as if he was taunting me. That behavior can be a thing of the past—to an extent.
The sun is still out shining as I walk with my arm around my girl. We have our shades on, strolling without a care in the world.
“You know you’re going to have to answer that soon,” Oni says as my phone rings again and I send it to voicemail.
I shrug. “I’ll get to it when I’m ready.”
“You’re only pissing him off. Is that wise?”
I sigh. “I don’t want to talk about him. Knowing what you know has only pissed me off more.
“He has swept so much under the rug. I guarantee you, when I start to dig, I’m not going to like what I find. I know he didn’t leave it all to go away on its own,” I say more harshly than I mean to.
“Maybe we should let it go,” she murmurs.
“Nah, not a chance. That beef has been between our families for generations. I need to know what happened so it doesn’t come back to blow up in my face.”
Releasing a heavy breath, she nods. “You’re right. I wouldn’t leave it either. I also know your uncle. He’s not going to give you the answers you want unless it’s something he wants you involved in.”
“Who says I’m going to him for answers?”
“Whatever you do, know I’m here when you need me.”
“That’s why we’re here,” I croon as I stop in front of my jeweler’s storefront.
Oni looks up at me. “You were serious?”
“When have I ever played about you?” I peck her lips. “Come on, I want you to pick it.”
“Rico. We … I … how long have we truly known each other?”
“My soul has known you from the moment we were created. I know what it’s like to lose you. Now I want to know the feeling of loving you for the rest of my life while you’re in my arms.”
“You don’t feel we need to date?”
“No, it will end the same way no matter what. Like you said, you will be my donna. No matter what I have to do to make that happen.”
She stands searching my gaze for a beat. Then a huge smile comes to her face. I love that smile.
“Okay, let’s do this.”
I kiss her forehead then lead her into the store. It finally feels like my life is moving in the right direction. Nothing can tear us apart.
CHAPTER 31
Not Your Enemy
Rico
Oni was right, I can’t ignore my uncle forever. I also should have known he would use her to get to me. If not for Oni, I wouldn’t be here at one of his restaurants, where he’s summoned us.
“Stop looking so pissed off,” Oni says as she cups my face after I help her from the car.
I look her over and smile. She’s wearing a navy-blue tailored pantsuit with a tie around her neck, but no shirt, just a bra under the jacket. She looks good.
Her bangs are blown out of her face and curled back into waves. I love how versatile her haircut is. I’ve seen it in a number of styles since she’s been home.
I chuckled when I first saw her tonight, as I’m wearing a similar suit in the same color. We look like a power couple together. In the last week, we’ve been just that.
“I can’t help if I look how I feel,” I mutter.
“Let me ask you something.”
I lean in and peck her lips. “Go on.”
“Are you happy?”
I wrap my arms around her and pull her in close. Having her in my arms makes everything in the world feel right. As long as she’s with me, I’m always happy.
“I am now,” I answer.
“Are you any closer to the goals you had when we met?”
“Yeah, I’m a lot closer. You know that.”
“I do. That’s what I want you to see. You can’t be mad at him for making us who we’re meant to be.”
I purse my lips and frown. “He’s made you a traitor. You know that, right?”