Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Ny moans behind me and reaches out in her sleep. Quickly looking over my shoulder, I find her hand where I once had lain. I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head clear.
I stand, not wanting to disturb either of them but needing to catch my breath. Moving to the foot of the bed, I lift my arms to hold on to the iron post of the bed frame. Ny has refurnished the room.
It has a more masculine feel now. She said it comforted her when we weren’t around. I can understand that.
We leave her alone so much. I can’t wait for the day when we don’t have to live like this. I watch them both as they sleep.
Gio looks peaceful. Something I can’t always say about him. Especially when Ny isn’t around.
Turning my attention to Nyla, I take in her naked body. I’m going to need to talk to Gio soon. My conversation with Ny earlier rings in my ears.
She’s getting restless. At twenty-seven, she wants more or at least to know the time line for when more will come. We can’t lose her.
She promised. Whether she knows it or not, I remember her words.
We’re your family now. We always will be. Don’t cry. I promise, Jace, we’re your family.
I close my eyes as it all comes back to me. The fear, the pain, the loneliness. I open my eyes and look at my two best friends. They’re my anchors. They have been since that day.
Ny rolls over to face Gio and moves closer to him. Gio wakes and takes in a sharp inhale. Placing a hand on Ny’s back, he kisses her forehead and wraps an arm around her to pull her closer. He looks around, his gaze landing on me.
“She’s cold. Pass me that blanket,” he says and nods to the chair in the center of the room where the bedspread was thrown.
I move to grab it and toss it over them. Gio looks at me and narrows his eyes. His brows knit.
“Why do you have your naked ass up standing over me?” I scoff and give him the finger. Real concern fills his eyes. “You all right?”
“Yeah, bad night.”
“You want to talk? We can go out on the deck,” he says low.
“She’ll miss us. Maybe tomorrow.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
He shrugs, leans to kiss Ny’s head, and passes back out again. I climb back into bed and place a hand on Ny’s hips. She covers my hand in her sleep and I calm as my lids finally grow heavy.
CHAPTER 46
Say the Word
Gio
I have to say I was intrigued when Judge Rick Thompson told me Kington wants one of those favors I bestow at the Dollhouse. The man has his own means of making a problem disappear.
Now I stand here on this dock in Atlantic Beach on a property few know belongs to me. Jace and Ny are at my sides. The boat Kington is arriving on heads toward us.
I have my hands in my pockets, with my shades on as the salty sea air whips at my hair, shirt, and slacks. I look over at Ny, she’s chopped her hair off again. It falls right at her chin, but even it’s blowing across her face as the pretty white sundress she has on whips around her legs.
I snort to myself. She looks innocent but that’s pure bullshit. I get it.
She’s not who needs attention today, it’s my dolls. A dressed-up Ny is the only woman getting attention in any room.
“You sure you want her here?” Jace says.
“Yeah, I have an ask for an ask.”
“Okay.” He shrugs.
“Showtime,” Ny says as the boat draws nearer. I lock eyes with Kingston right away.
He gives me a bright smile. I return it and note the hand he has placed on one of the other guy’s shoulder. I’m assuming this is the guest of honor.
“Big man, dis ma nephew, Keith. I tell he how yuh know how to trow a party. He turning twenty-one. A big man he too.
“Come, Keith. De man make time for we.”
Keith steps off the boat onto the dock. I hold out my hand to shake his.
“Happy birthday. How you doing?” I say.
“Gud, gud. Tanks, man.”
His eyes go straight to Ny. I wrap an arm around his neck. He looks at me, then back at Kingston who’s whispering to Jace. Keith’s gaze then goes back to Ny.
Now here’s what I know about Keith. He’s actually Kingston’s godson who lives in Brooklyn. Although he calls Kingston his uncle.
He likes to talk and when he talks, he doesn’t tell the truth. He boasts about shit he knows nothing about and makes promises in his godfather’s name.
That’s dangerous in this life we live. His lies have stirred up some bullshit surrounding Kingston’s name. That bullshit got all the way back to St. Kitts and there was an attempt on Kingston’s life and some money came up missing along the way. All nasty business.