Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
“None of that.” Dad’s eyes darkened. “He claims it’s about rare goods—art, antiques, and shit like that. He wants to move them quietly.”
“Yeah, right.” Wrath grumbled under his breath. He was the club’s enforcer, and it was his job to be wary of anyone outside of the club. “Whatever’s in those crates, it’s worth enough for him to cross borders and risk meeting here. No way this shit isn’t dirty.”
“Which is why we decide together. Maltese arrives in an hour. We meet, we listen, and then we choose. But make no mistake—we make the choice. Not him.”
A subtle twitch of his jaw represented a warning that the discussion was over. We all exchanged looks, each of us weighing our concern, but we all remained silent.
An hour later, we were gathered in the bar when Rooster walked in with Maltese. Just like the times before, he was dressed in a jet-black business suit and exuded an aura of confidence as he scanned the room. He didn’t look the least bit rattled as he started walking over to us.
His back was straight, his chin was out, and his expression was blank as he came over to Prez and gave him a slight nod. “Maverick.”
“Maltese.”
“I appreciate you agreeing to meet with me.”
“Why don’t you tell us why you’re here.” Dad cocked his brow. “And don’t give us any bullshit about moving fucking antiques.”
“About that.” He crossed his arms. “There’s a bit more to it than that.”
Beck
“Hey, we’re here.”
“Are you excited?”
“Yeah, and a little nervous.”
With my phone still in hand, I glanced up at my rearview mirror, and my heart swelled at the sight of my precious daughter. Her reddish-blonde hair was pulled back and looked more like a bird’s nest than a ponytail, and her lips were bright red from the juice she drank at our last pitstop. Her wide, curious eyes were taking in everything around her.
My mother’s voice pulled me from my thoughts when she asked, “Nervous about what?”
“Ava... What if she doesn’t like it?”
“Ava is four. She’s going to love it because you love it.”
“I guess we will see soon enough.”
“You certainly will. Now, you two go on in and check things out. Your father and I’ll be over in a minute.”
“It’s just you guys, right? You’re not bringing anyone to help.”
“Nope. It’s just us.”
“Okay, good. I’ll see you in a few.”
I ended the call, then turned to Ava and asked, “You ready to go see our new house?”
“Hm-hmm.”
She really had no idea what I was talking about. We’d lived in an apartment over four hours away from here, and it was the only home she’d ever really known. It was my fault. I just couldn’t bring myself to come home to visit, but that had all changed. I was done running from my past and wanted to give my precious daughter the home she deserved.
As soon as I got out of the car, I walked over and opened the back door. I unbuckled Ava from her car seat and lifted her into my arms. Her eyes were wide with wonder as we made our way up to the front steps. I still couldn’t believe it. It took five years of working and going to school part-time for me to scrape up enough money for a down payment.
My parents helped a great deal. They came up to visit and begged me numerous times to just come home, but I always refused. I was studying to be a radiologist, and I was already going to the college closest to home. So, I got a job on campus and used the money I made to pay for on-campus daycare. It took some time and a lot of patience—for both me and my parents, but we got through it.
I could’ve just let Dad do what Dad does and let him take care of all the finances, but I couldn’t accept. Call it being stubborn or just plain prideful, but I needed to do it on my own. I pulled out my new key and unlocked the door, then lowered Ava’s feet to the floor and said, “Go check it out.”
She took off like a bolt of lightning, running to check out every room. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it had two bedrooms with a fully updated kitchen and a cozy living room. It also had a nice backyard with a fence and a wraparound porch that was to die for. I absolutely loved it, and I hoped Ava would love it, too.
After a few minutes, Ava came rushing back into the kitchen and asked, “Dis’ really our house?”
“Yup,” I replied with a smile. “It’s all ours.”
“But what ‘bout my room?”
“I already explained that.” I knelt in front of her and took her hand in mine. “We moved here so we could be closer to GiGi and Pop.”