Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
My eyes widen, and I spare a glance at Roman, who looks as though he could snap the marble countertop between the force of his fingers. “Why did she say that?” I ask, deciding to take over the line of questioning. I mean, I’m more than aware that the boys and I have purchased a one-way ticket straight to the deepest pits of hell, and I’m more than okay with that because where I burn, they burn with me. But Sebastian doesn’t need to know that yet. He’s only five.
Sebastian shrugs his little shoulders. “She said it’s a sin because you kiss Uncle Marc and Uncle Levi, and a woman is supposed to be fateful to one man.”
I clench my jaw, knowing he meant to say faithful. “And what did you say?” I prompt.
His eyes sparkle with silent laughter, and he peers up at me through those long, thick lashes that are so much like his father’s, and I hold my breath, terrified of what could possibly come out of his mouth. “I told her I was going to beat that pussy up.”
I blanch, my eyes widening like saucers as I hear the boys start to snicker. “WHAT?” I screech. “Why the hell did you say that?”
He looks up at me with those big obsidian eyes that I simply can’t stay mad at, innocence swirling in their depths. “Because that’s what Uncle Levi says every time you say something naughty.”
Ahh, shit. How am I supposed to explain that?
My gaze snaps to Levi’s and the smug grin across his face has me desperate to put that mouth straight to work. But damn, Sebastian isn’t wrong. That’s exactly what Levi tells me when I’m being a naughty girl, only this is a very different kind of naughty. Very, very different.
“I, uhhhmmmmm . . . shit,” I say with a heavy sigh, meeting my son’s stare again. “Okay, here’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to find you a new nanny who loves you almost as much as I do. Uncle Levi will drop you at school while Mommy has a chat with Chelle. Then this afternoon, Mommy and Uncle Marc will pick you up. How does that sound?”
His little eyes widen with excitement, and I know it has everything to do with the fact that Uncle Marc let him play with his gun in the car the last time he was responsible for picking him up, but what can I say? Those two are practically the exact same person, just spaced twenty-odd years apart.
“Really?” Sebastian rushes out. “Can we stop for ice cream?”
“Of course,” I laugh, lifting him off the counter and putting him back to his feet. “Now go grab your school bag and lunchbox. You gotta get moving.”
Sebastian takes off and Levi hurries along behind him, making sure he’s actually doing what he’s been asked as I level a stare at Roman. “I swear, that kid is going to be the death of me.”
Marcus grins from across the kitchen, shaking his head in wonder at Sebastian’s retreating back. “Isn’t he just the best kid you’ve ever met?” he drawls, letting out a heavy sigh. “Why can’t all kids be cool like that?”
Good God!
Chelle comes busting out from the hallway, looking all sorts of frazzled as a low rumbled growl fills the room, the sound coming from Dill and Doe’s corner of the living room. Chelle spares a glance toward them, and I know they sense my irritation with her. But I put on a smile, not having time to deal with this until after lunch. The Dragoni family needs to be dealt with first.
“Chelle,” I say, forcing her attention back to me and giving her a professional smile. “Levi has offered to take Sebastian to school this morning. They’re just grabbing his school bag from his room. In the meantime, could you ensure he has something to take for his lunch?”
“Of course, Miss Shayne,” she says with a nod, unable to hold my stare for too long.
“Wonderful,” I say as she scurries across the kitchen, searching for the fresh loaf of bread. “We’ll be heading out for some meetings and should be back later in the day. If you have any questions, you can contact me on my cell.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she says as the boys and I head out of the kitchen. “Oh, Miss Shayne?” Chelle calls after me.
I force the fake smile back across my face, the judgment in her eyes making me want to pull out my chainsaw and show her exactly what happens to bitches who make it their business to step on mine. “Yes, Chelle?”
“I, uhh . . . Sebastian’s school teacher,” she starts. “At pick up yesterday, she mentioned something about requiring a meeting with both you and Sebastian’s father.”
“Why’s that?” I push as Roman glances back over his shoulder, his lethal gaze locked on the woman we both know won’t be making it home for dinner tonight.