Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“Everything good?” Matteo asks.
“Vanessa’s leaving.”
“Oh yeah. Dominick told me she has an interview with Franco at the casino.”
My head whips up to look at him. “What the fuck are you talking about?” I ask, my tone harsher than intended.
“I guess she needs money for school, and Peyton convinced my brother to let her interview for a server position. They’re short-staffed.” He shrugs.
“Is that safe?”
Matteo’s brows furrow in confusion. “You know Dominick keeps that place on lockdown.”
I’m about to argue when my phone rings with a call from Dani.
“Hey, is Leo okay?”
“Yes, he’s a sweet little angel,” my sister says. “I was talking to Clarise, and she said her cousin was looking for a job. She’s experienced with children, and she’s in a serious relationship.”
“Can you have her send over her résumé?”
“Already did, big bro. Her name is Katie. But you know … you already have someone who Leo loves and can watch him.”
I know where she’s going with this, but I’m not letting her—or me—go there. “She’s too young and inexperienced. Let Clarise know that I’ll be in touch with her cousin.”
Before she can argue any more on Vanessa’s behalf, I hang up, only to be met with Matteo’s knowing gaze.
“Falling for your wife, huh?”
“It’s not like that.”
He snorts out a laugh. “Okay.”
“Is there a reason you came to my office, other than to talk shit?”
“A man needs a reason to visit his best friend?” He smirks.
When I quirk a brow, he laughs. “You’re right. I do have a reason. Dani’s birthday is coming up, and I want to do something special for her. She mentioned your mom had a necklace she loved. Your dad had given it to her …”
“Yeah, it was a heart with our names on it or something. I have it in the lockbox. You want to give that to her?”
“I was hoping to see it so I could have one made that’s similar, but with our daughter’s name on it, leaving room for the next baby.”
I chuckle. “Already planning for the next one?” I joke, only Matteo doesn’t laugh. “Oh shit!” I bark out a laugh. “You totally knocked up my sister, didn’t you?”
“She’s only a few weeks along, so we’re not announcing it yet, but yeah. Mother’s Day isn’t until May, so I figured I could give her the gift for her birthday and then add to it in May when the new baby is here.”
He shrugs like it’s not a big deal, but after everything my sister’s been through, my best friend loving her the way he does is a big fucking deal.
“Congrats, man.” I stand and round the desk to give Matteo a hug. “You’re a damn good husband and father, and this new baby will be blessed to have you as his or her dad.”
“Thanks,” Matteo says.
“I’ll get you the necklace this week.”
“I appreciate it.”
After he leaves, I spend the rest of the afternoon in meetings. And it’s not until my phone goes off, letting me know that someone has entered my condo, that I stop to check the time.
I click into the camera app and find Vanessa rushing down the hallway like her ass is on fire. She disappears into her room, and I’m about to call her to make sure everything’s okay when I notice a text from Matteo, letting me know she got the job. But instead of a cocktail server, she’s their new bartender.
I tell myself that what Vanessa does isn’t my business, and I keep repeating that as I finish up the last couple of items on my agenda before I leave to pick up Leo from Dani.
But when the app goes off again and I click into it, seeing Vanessa walking down the hallway toward the elevator—this time dressed in tiny black leather shorts and a matching top that pushes up her ample cleavage, forcing it to damn near spill out—all previous thoughts fly out the window. Before I can grasp what I’m doing, I’m texting Dani that I’ll be late, and I head toward Hotel Blu.
I tell myself it’s because I’m concerned about Vanessa.
She shouldn’t be putting herself at unnecessary risk.
I’m staying married to her and letting her live in my home so she’s safe. And her getting a job outside of the home is reckless.
But as I walk into the casino located in the basement of the hotel and search for my fake wife, I know that her safety is the least of my concerns.
And as my eyes land on her, standing behind the bar, with her hair pulled into a tight ponytail and her makeup done to perfection, laughing at something some jackass sitting at the bar said, I can no longer deny my true reason for showing up here—I’m attracted to my wife. And I want more than to keep her safe.