Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Okay, now I was confused.
“And?”
“When they both turn up dead, and they will, we know the Irish and cartel are involved without even having to cause a war, and then we deal with them.”
Running a hand down my face, I’m not happy. I wanted to draw blood. Those two bastards were responsible for putting a hit out and nearly killing Charlotte.
I see what Ivan is doing. If we get the information from Benjamin and Hank, we must react. It’s the only strong thing to do. However, if we dump their bodies, then the cartel and the Irish won’t know if we extracted that information. They would either have to start the war first or withdraw. This is the more intelligent way to do it, and it would also mean less casualties.
But I know Ivan is up to something as well. Why would he suddenly want to take the easy route?
****
Lottie
Ive’s Birthday
Glancing around the penthouse suite, I have checked the candles and they are lit. It is nearly eight o’clock and I asked for Hubert to wait near the door for Ive to arrive. I had been planning this for the past couple of days.
While Ive had been busy with work, I had been on the phone to Michael, so that I could produce the perfect birthday cake. I was determined to make it for him. I’d even told Cassie not to come around today. I spent the whole day baking.
All Ive had to do was turn up on time.
I knew this was hard for him to do, but I had gotten Hubert to text him and asked him, on my behalf, to be home, on time.
He’d snuck out this morning, so I’d not gotten the chance to sing him a happy birthday, or give him a present. I had no idea what to give a man who had everything. Admittedly, what I had gotten him was stupid, but I hope he liked it.
This was the first birthday I had been able to put any real effort into. My dad never allowed me to do anything for him, nor for Cassie. I often made Cassie homemade gifts. Little things like decorating her book covers or cleaning her bedroom. I even did her laundry for her.
Cassie always thanked me. She always saved me cake and we’d even have our own private celebrations together. That was what we did. Always. In secret.
Glancing down at my dress, it was a small red dress, because he liked it. I even had on red lingerie that I knew he liked. I’d left my hair down as he said he loved to play with it.
I was a little nervous, but not entirely.
Our honeymoon may be over but it wasn’t over over. Ive hadn’t changed, not since coming back, and having to deal with work. He never talked about work, but I knew a lot was going on. Especially as yesterday, Rage called to tell me he was back in the city.
Cassie hadn’t left. She was looking for work, and it seemed she planned to stay. She had asked me if I could talk to Ive about her renting the apartment permanently. I had yet to ask Ive about that. Today was his birthday. It was his special day.
Checking the time, I saw it was a little after eight. Pressing my lips together, I waited, clasping my hands. Ten past eight came and went, as did twenty past, then at eight-thirty, I thought he had forgotten. A minute after, the door opened. I heard the rough timber of his voice, and then the door closing.
Hubert must be leaving.
I waited and seconds later, there was my husband. A few buttons at the top of his shirt were open.
“Charlotte,” he said.
“Happy Birthday.” I didn’t care that he was late. He had arrived home. His steak might be a little overdone, and the potatoes too crispy, but I didn’t care. He’d arrived and that was all that mattered.
I moved toward him and wrapped my arms around his waist. Going onto my tiptoes, I pressed a kiss to his lips.
“You didn’t have to do all of this.”
“It is your birthday.”
“I don’t celebrate my birthday.”
“You didn’t celebrate your birthday, and I never celebrated mine, but seeing as we’re together and we can make our own traditions, why don’t we start with this one?”
I pushed some hair off my face and handed him a card and the present I got him.
“Charlotte?”
“What? You don’t think you deserve to be sung to and have a birthday?”
He chuckled but he did take the card and gift. I watched as he tore open the card. All it said was a happy birthday with a balloon and a cake. I didn’t know what kind of card to get him. All of this suddenly seemed extremely lame. I wanted to do something good for him.