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)
That presented its own problem. I didn’t like the look on Lex’s face when she found the bloody towels before I could take them out to be burned. That has stuck with me since last night.
I know she said she could accept it, but the reality of it all in her face may change her mind. I can’t change who I am and we won’t be able to avoid the truth much longer. Not if I’m being called back into action since Uncle Blake is cleaning house.
There’s so much going on. Like someone pressed play on a paused track. Luckily, we’ll have dinner with Uncle Blake tomorrow night. I plan to apply pressure to find out what I’m missing. For tonight, I’m grateful for a night off.
“Can I catch a break?” I breathe to myself.
AJ turns to look up at me. I kiss the top of his head. He’s been sitting against my chest, watching videos on my phone.
Pit had one hell of a house built. It’s like we’re in our own wing, with all of the luxuries of a single-family home. There’s a separate living room up here and everything. I have the game on the big screen, but my mind is all over the place.
I know I should warn Lex about my uncle before we go to dinner with him, but I’m in no rush to look the way my father did after my mother was gone. I know it’s not the same, but I also know that’s the shell of a man I’ll become.
Last night while beating the shit out of that guy for crossing Uncle Blake, I felt the difference between who I am and who I used to be. That dark side hasn’t gone away, but it didn’t fuel me either.
“Hello.”
“Yo.”
“Uncle Pit.”
“AJ?”
“Hi,” AJ sings in reply. “You want Daddy?”
I was so lost in thought I didn’t hear the phone ring. The kid answered and put the phone on speaker. I smile with pride as my boy talks to his uncle on the phone. His speech has been getting clearer with each day. He’s my big boy now.
“Yeah, little dude. I want to talk to your dad,” Pit says.
“What’s up?”
“Wow, he’s answering your phone now. We need to hang with the guys and bring him along. He’ll be in college before we know it.”
“Slow all that down. I already think it’s crazy that I’m teaching him how to aim for the bowl and not everything around it.” I chuckle.
My son is determined to piss on everything but the water in the toilet. Shitting isn’t a problem. He’ll sit there and poop like he’s taking a board meeting. Taking a leak is a whole other story.
I’m going to have to pay to have Pit’s bathroom cleaned once we leave. Maybe we should chill on the potty training for the rest of the week. We’ll be back at our place next week.
“You sound like you’re loving it.”
I laugh again. “Did you need something?”
“Yeah, Kid didn’t come in. No call, no-show. Lex didn’t happen to hear from her, did she?”
“Not that I know of.”
“She didn’t ask you for the night off, did she?” he asks, sounding more concerned.
“No, did you call her?”
“Tried three times. This isn’t like her. Not once in all the years she’s worked for me has something like this happened with her.”
“Hold on, Lex just walked in.”
I look to Lex. I can tell she’s overheard the call from the bedroom. She looks nervous and afraid.
“You haven’t heard from Kid, have you?”
She shakes her head. I sit up on the couch and place AJ beside me. I don’t like this.
“Pit, I’m headed to her place to check on her. I’ll call you back.”
“Let me know if you need me.”
I hang up and stand. Pulling Lex into me, I kiss her forehead. “I’ll run over and check on her. I’m sure she’s fine.”
She nods wordlessly. I don’t have faith in my words either. Something tells me the attack at the house was just the beginning.
Chapter 51
Blowups
Alexis
I’m so nervous. When Ant said he wanted me to meet his uncle, I thought we’d go to his house or something, not dress up and go to one of the most elite restaurants in the city.
I’m no stranger to places like this, but it’s not the most relaxed environment and this is already nerve-racking.
I feel sick to my stomach. If this wasn’t Ant’s uncle, I wouldn’t be up for any of this. Not the fancy restaurant, the gown and makeup, or the smile I’m forcing.
Jenny is still missing. Ant found her place empty. She’s still not answering anyone’s calls either. This is so unlike her. It’s been two days.
“I’m sorry about the poor timing and your friend. I’ve had my men out looking for any signs of answers,” Uncle Blake says, drawing me from my thoughts.