Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“It’s good to see you, Mother.” She pulls back, taps my chest, and smiles at me. “A little more notice next time might give me time to properly prepare.”
“A mother doesn’t need to give notice or a good excuse to visit her child. Besides, I miss the dogs,” she says, and appraises Michael, who she thinks is my personal assistant.
She reaches for him to give him a warm hug, one he begrudgingly accepts.
“We just finished with a business meeting,” I explain to her as I get her settled in the car. Michael sits behind the wheel, and I join my mother in the back. I almost always choose to drive, but it’d been months since I last saw my mother.
She immediately begins to interrogate me. “So, why are you staying out here? Big business venture?” she asks. “I was surprised when you said you’d bought an estate here. I didn’t think you liked it in New York.”
Michael looks through the rearview mirror, and I can sense he’s probably laughing internally right now. How do you tell your mother you’re addicted to a woman in the same way a druggie is to crack?
“I’ve met someone,” I say simply. “But, yes, also a business venture.”
Her jaw drops. “You know my girlfriend told me you might’ve met someone, but I didn’t believe her. She must be such a sweet girl. Tell me about her.”
I try not to choke on the assumption of her being a sweet anything. Unless you liked your treats dipped in poison, that is.
“She takes some getting used to and is stubbornly headstrong.” I smile thinking of Anya and how she just chewed me out over the phone. I can’t help but find it all charming.
“So when do I get to meet her?” She reaches into her purse and pulls out a bag of cookies. She makes them for me every time she sees me. It’s like our little ritual. I accept the one she offers.
“It’ll depend on her work schedule,” I hedge. I want my mother to meet Anya, but with the current mood she’s in…
My phone begins to ring and automatically goes through the car system. Mention the she-devil and she will call.
Michael stares at me through the rearview mirror.
“Is that her?” my mother asks. The screen shows “She-Devil,” and I’m grateful Michael and my mother can’t see the photo I have of Anya as my screensaver.
“It would appear so. Think she got my package?” I say to Michael with an arrogant smile. Because Anya is most likely going to be explosive right now.
“Sir?” Michael asks.
“Answer it. She doesn’t take it well when I don’t,” I say, already amused by the outburst that’s about to happen.
“You piece of shit. How dare you send me lingerie as well as a fucking diamond collar. You think this will make up for your bad behavior of saying you liked to fuck her? You think I’m going to get on my hands and knees for you just because you say so?!” I smile as she yells. My mother, on the other hand, has wide eyes and is staring at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“Sweetheart,” I say with a smile, just imagining her livid expression.
“Don’t you sweetheart me. I earn just as much money as you, asshole. I can buy my own fucking jewelry. And how about you wear this collar while I shove something up your ass for a change?”
My mother gasps. “Oh, her language.”
There’s a pause.
“You have another woman with you? Are you fucking kidding me?!”
“Jealousy sounds good on you, sweetheart.”
“I am not fucking jealous! Fuck you! I’m pouring gasoline on your car and torching it. Once I’m done with this car, I’m going over to your house and torching the others. And then I’m going to—”
For my mother’s sake, I hang up through my phone before Anya can tell me she’ll put a bullet in my brain.
My mother’s absolutely shocked to the core. “That was her?” she asks almost breathlessly.
I crack a smile. “I might’ve upset her a little today. She’s a bit of the jealous type.”
“A bit?” My mother gulps.
“Michael, go to the Ivanov estate please. On the way, please drop my mother off.”
“She’s not really going to set your car on fire, is she?” my mother asks with a hand over her heart.
I casually shrug. “It’s been a rough day. We have a few trust issues at the moment.”
But at least I know how to provoke her so much that she’ll call me three times in one day.
My mother looks stricken with fear but attempts a fake smile.
Well, shit.
Michael drives me up Anya’s driveway after dropping my mother off. Her guards are out front, but I see no sign of her. One of them greets me as we park in front of her home.
Smoke is billowing on the front lawn from what appears to be one of my favorite cars up in flames.