Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 55782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“She is fine. She is out with Lara shopping. Have you tried her phone?”
“Sì, hijo. But it is ok. She is having fun. Let her. I was simply calling to see if you two would like to host a brunch for the family and your other cousins who couldn’t make it to the wedding?” Shit. I forgot about this.
“Sì, mama. When were you thinking?”
“How about next weekend?”
“No problem mama. I will make sure Lexi is ok with it and get back to you.”
“Estoy muy orgulloso de ti, hijo mío.” I am so proud of you my son. She says to me. “Such a wonderful husband. That girl loves you, Saxson. Don’t betray that love.”
“Never mama. Never.” She says she loves me and hangs up. Looking at my watch, I realize it has been almost two hours since the girls have been gone and I haven’t heard from Lexi. I am about to call her when I hear the door open. My shoulders sag, relief sweeping my body when she walks in with her friend smiling and very much ok. Not able to contain myself, I walk up to her, take the bags from her hands dropping them on the floor and lift her over my shoulder.
“Saxson what are you…” she begins to say. I swat her ass and shush her. I need her right now. Turning to my brother; “I trust you two can find something to keep you busy for the next hour or so, Yes?” When he looks at Lara and looks back at me and nods his head I bound for the stairs. Right now, I just need to be inside of her, to reassure myself that nothing and no one can take her from me.
24
Lexi
One Week Later
I have been losing my mind all week trying to make sure this brunch goes off without a hitch. The day Saxson told me about it, which was after he fucked my brains out, I could have slapped him. How in the hell did he tell his mom yes, and not wait until I got home to confirm with me? I mean I am not equipped for this shit. I freaked out. Began crying, hyperventilating. I was a mess. He finally sent Lara up and when she told me she would stay until after the brunch to help me get it ready, I began to calm down. I asked her if she was sure. What about school? She said she was on a break for some sort of thing or another. Once again there is something she is not telling me. She swears it is nothing. Yeah. Like I believe that. I am going to get to the bottom of it as soon as this brunch is done.
“Lexi all of the flowers are done.” Julissa says. She and Manny came into town yesterday just for this. That is the other thing. Apparently, Manny’s family has some property 30 miles north of here and she decided that they needed to live on their own. So, she moved out of the family compound and away an hour and a half almost with traffic. Needless to say, no one is happy with this. I on the other hand admire her confidence and her knowledge that no matter what she decides to do, her family will always be there. I didn’t have that before Saxson and his family. Plus, I love it when she visits because I get to ask a lot of questions about their childhood. Like this time.
She, Lara, and I all went to the salon and got our hair and nails done. While Lara was in getting a wax, Julissa and I talked. I wanted to know how was it for her growing up in a mob family. She laughed. “To be honest, I didn’t know until I was 16. People in the neighborhood were too scared to tell me, and my family, extended and otherwise, kept it as hush hush as they could for as long as they could. Truthfully, Lexi, we were a normal everyday family inside our house. My mom and dad were present, loving, and supportive. My brothers and I bickered and fought and played and....I don’t know, I thought it was normal.” Even knowing what I know I can't help but envy the life she is describing. Mine was lonely, void of any affection, and I never felt important. To anyone.
“So how did you get involved in the business?” This is what I really wanted to know.
“Saxson. He realized very early on that I had a knack for all things digital and computer based. He talked to my dad when I was 16 and he decided to offer me the choice. He told me everything and gave me the opportunity to walk away and not be involved. I never thought about for a second. If my brothers could do it, so could I. This is my family. I would be nothing without them.” She shrugged her shoulders like it is the most natural thing in the world. Must be nice.