Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 67263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
I couldn’t imagine being who I was without them and those memories.
Because of that, I was grateful for my life, even though it was fucked up. I was grateful for my memories, even though some of them were bad.
I miss you Kennedy, X, and. . .even you Daryl. . .a little bit.
My throat grew dry.
I’m glad I didn’t know my real family if they’re really related to me.
I put the photos in the envelope and then placed it on my lap.
What will Em think about this? Would she tell me to get the DNA test? Would she want to check out my Grand Aunt Delphine?
I leaned back in my chair and smiled.
No matter what, Em would have my back and give me all the support I needed.
Wasn’t that the true definition of family? Not blood or DNA, but true love and constant support.
My heart warmed.
I’m going to see you soon, Em.
Every time I left her to go on an adventure, I was changed. But this time, it was a deeper shift. I no longer had that ache hollowing out my chest. It lowered from the craziness in California. Then, it dulled in New Orleans. Tiana’s comfort and Gwen’s hug cleared it all out.
I touched my chest.
Am I still me? Will Em notice a difference? Would our relationship be different?
However, my chest wasn’t completely empty.
Now a new burning desire existed where the ache had been. Now I hoped to find a woman that I could truly love. I yearned for someone who craved adventure as much as I did. I hoped she would be my partner-in-crime, my best friend, and my lover. I needed this woman to help me heal as I hoped to heal her.
One would think that I would end the hope of love after hearing about my grandparents’ tragic, disgusting relationship, but that just made me want to search out love more.
That Voodoo woman—my supposed Grand Aunt Delphine—said that my bloodline was tainted. Maybe good love could be the light that banished the darkness from my family line.
Perhaps. . .I could. . .be the father. . .that mine never was.
A shiver ran through me.
Maybe. . .
The stewardess came over. This one was new. I waved her away, only wanting to be lost in my thoughts and to get some sleep.
Italy. Here I come.
I checked behind me.
Smiling in his sleep, Boris snored gently and was curled up against the window. A thin, plane blanket covered his big body.
I smirked.
He definitely got himself some pussy.
I would have clapped for him if I weren’t too tired to raise my hands.
Where the hell is Jean-Pierre?
My answer came in the next minute.
The Butcher stepped onto his plane. He was freshly shaven, and his dark hair was combed back. He looked like he had just walked away from a photo shoot for a magazine ad selling designer cologne. He nodded to the stewardess, made his way to his seat on my right, and sat down.
I quirked my brows. “Where’s Timur?”
The Butcher turned my way. A smile spread across his face, but no words left his mouth.
I eyed him. “Do I have to kill your father-in-law or not?”
“See for yourself.” Jean-Pierre pointed to the front.
Two men escorted Timur onto the plane.
This morning, Timur appeared a little weak. He used a brown cane, leaning on it heavily with each step. He wore a nice, well-tailored black suit with a gray shirt and tie.
No fool, I pulled my gun out of my jacket and placed it on my lap.
Jean-Pierre wagged his finger. “He’s fixed.”
“Just because he is wearing a suit and has a limp, doesn’t mean he’s fixed.”
Timur continued toward the back with the men. He glanced my way and warmly nodded like we were old friends.
I glanced over my shoulder and watched him head away. “I don’t know about this, Butcher. Dude may be pretending.”
“On the drive here, Timur didn’t say anything about the an eagle or snake.”
I looked at Jean-Pierre. “Then, what did he say?”
“Well. . .” Jean-Pierre shrugged. “He actually didn’t say anything at all.”
“You’re smarter than this, Butcher.”
“Yeah, but I’ve been known to make unwise choices before.”
“Like this one.” I pointed in Timur’s direction. “I say take him back to California after you drop me off in Italy. You don’t want the Lion to kill him.”
Jean-Pierre gazed at his father-in-law. “I believe he is fine. The Voodoo Woman was effective.”
“I hope you’re right because the first time he says Great Eagle, I’m shooting that motherfucker in his head.”
“Maxwell, I am respectfully asking you not to kill my father-in-law.”
“Then, make sure you have a tight leash on him and that he doesn’t bother Em.”
“I will do my best.”
I kept my gaze on Timur. Two guards guided him to one of the plane’s private bedrooms in the back and opened the door for him.
Using his cane, Timur walked forward, stopped by the doorway, turned his head, and looked at us.