Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“Yeah, if he wasn’t covering the bar for his brother, I don’t know what would’ve happened. We both couldn’t take time off while Pit’s on his second honeymoon,” Kid says with wide eyes.
Looking down at my sleeping son in my arms, I hold him tightly and kiss the top of his curls. I rock from side to side as my thoughts race. I knew this day would come, but I didn’t think it would come this fast. I chew on the side of my cheek.
“What happened? What triggered this?”
“I don’t know. AJ started calling him Da-da.” She winces. Then with a shrug, she says. “Maybe that did it.”
“Ugh, it doesn’t matter. He wants to meet me now. Give me some time. I’ll figure something out.”
“Okay, whatever you decide, I’m here for you,” she says and pulls me into a hug. “Hey, I wish I could stick around, but I need to jump on this flight back. I work tonight. I’m helping to cover while Pit is gone. I think AJ had a great time. Ox spoiled him without question.”
I pull her into a one-arm hug. “Thanks, honey. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Travel safe. Call me as soon as you get home.”
“I will. I love you. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you and this kid. I put in for some time. I’ll be back to spend a month or so with you guys.”
“Aw, you don’t have to do that. I love you too.”
She pulls away and makes a face. “I want to spend time with my family. I wish I were here to take you both back with me. Until I can do that, I’ll be here to be a pain in your butt.”
I snicker. “I look forward to it.”
I kiss her cheek and she kisses mine, then kisses AJ’s as she rubs his back. I hike his bag up my arm and wave as she goes. I get this eerie feeling like this is the last time we’ll do this.
My mind goes back to the fact that Ant wants to meet AJ’s mom. I don’t know how he’s going to react when he finds out that’s me. My heart sinks. Ant isn’t the type of guy who’s going to walk away from his son.
This is going to be a problem. His life is in Vander. I’m not allowed to step foot in Vander without destroying the lives of so many people I love.
“God, help me. What do I do now?”
* * *
Ox
I’m cleaning the bar top, lost in thought about AJ and our visit, when Uncle Blake walks in. I furrow my brows as I look up. Pit and Skittles took off this morning for a second honeymoon. I call bullshit, they took off to make a baby.
We have a great team here, so it’s not a big deal. I’ll hold things down in his absence. However, the back room won’t be open, no secrets will be bought while Pit is gone.
“What’s up, Uncle Blake? Pit took off for a vacation. It will be about a week.”
“I’m not here for him. I want to talk to you.”
I wipe my hands off on a towel. We open in two hours. I’m just getting things set up.
“Oh yeah? What’s up?”
“Andy Rossa died,” he says and stares at me for my reaction.
I don’t even flinch. However, on the inside, I’m cringing. Andy Rossa is the friend of the family I paid to bury my marriage license so no one would know. That was before shit blew up in my face.
With his death, I know for a fact Uncle Blake made it his business to retrieve all his hidden documents before anyone else could. I’m sure he even went as far as to have someone scrub court data Rossa was paid to earmark and cloak.
The things you can pull off when you run a city. I don’t think people truly understand the hold Uncle Blake has on Vander and Bridge Lake. Nothing moves without his permission.
So what I’ve done is a violation and a slap in the face. The things you do for love. Although, back then I hadn’t meant to keep this hidden for all this time.
“I’ve taught you well. If you weren’t my nephew, I would think those words mean nothing to you. However, I know for a fact they do.
“Why hide something like this from me? What happened to the girl?”
I pin him with a glare. “How many people know you’re dating Zoe Gataki?”
“Anthony,” he drags out. “I’m not a stranger or your enemy. You have always known about Zoe. I trust you. You’re family. I would think you felt the same way.”
“I do,” I say, looking down at the bar top. “To be honest, that wasn’t my reason for not telling you. You were locked up at the time. You had bigger shit to think about. I had planned to bring her to meet you, but then…”