Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
I think of a solution that might work in my favor. Adriano has been working my nerves with the way he watches my wife. I want to say he’s just doing his job, but I know it’s more.
“Listen, I’m going to send someone to look after you for a while. He will keep you safe. Stay inside for now. Adriano will be there in a few hours.”
“Thank you, Michael. I thought this was over.”
“I will get to the bottom of this and take care of it. Breathe. This could be nothing.”
“Okay.”
I hang up and go to find Adriano. I sent him on some errands earlier to get him away from Sim while I got some work done. Now, I will get him out of our home, at least for a little while.
Uri
“LaSalle will be promoted soon. Don Trovati is ready for you and Sim to take over as well,” I say to Michael as we sit waiting in my office for Misha to arrive.
Michael sighs and pulls a hand down his face. I stare at him closely as he sits across from my desk. He has something on his mind.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Sim has been struggling. The timing just sucks. We’ll be ready.”
“Uri, Michael, my friends. We have arrived. You have drink for me, da?” Misha croons as he enters my office.
I lift a brow as my gaze lands on Sammy, who walks in with him. Sammy is wearing a holster with two guns. However, he seems more focused than ever.
“Does Sam know about this?” I ask, pointing to the boy.
“He knows I plan to help. Michael, your wife, she is like Sammy, da?”
“She is on the spectrum, but not everyone is the same. Sim was verbal when she came to us. We had to learn what worked for her, what things were best.”
“LaSalle’s boy likes pressure. Guns have stopped the tantrums and squirming. He talks. We have conversation in car on way here.
“We can help, my friends. Where is wife. She help too,” Misha says as he goes to flop in the other seat across from my desk.
As if on cue, Sim enters the office. I notice she has her vest with the blades on. I look to Michael and give him a look.
“The piano wasn’t helping today. I decided to train instead. Gino said Misha and the child have arrived,” Sim says.
She squats as Sammy stops walking in circles and moves to stand in front of her. Sim places a hand on the top of his head. I swear it seems like they both settle before my eyes.
“These pistols are too heavy. You have the right idea, but there has to be something better. Have his parents tried a vest like mine?”
“This vest you have on, it helps?” Misha asks.
“Yes, it does.”
“I will buy. He has small hands. Find small blades, maybe metal stars to throw.”
“He doesn’t need the weapons. I have a vest without them. I just like to throw blades and adapted my vest to accommodate the skill.”
“He is old enough to learn skill. I show him how load gun clip for guns too.”
I groan and shake my head. I’ll have to check in with LaSalle on my own. Misha isn’t going to have my family massacred with him.
CHAPTER 48
This One Together
Symphony
I awaken to kisses all over my face. When I open my eyes, sparkling blue ones are looking back at me. I smile at Michael and cup his handsome face.
“Good morning,” I say.
“Good morning and happy anniversary, gorgeous. I have a big day planned for us. It’s time to get up.
“I just need twenty more minutes,” I whine. “Val has been pushing us harder in training. My body hurts. That woman is a tyrant.”
“Training? Training for what?”
I gasp and cover my mouth. See? I need more sleep. Michael pulls the covers back and begins to tickle me. I kick my legs and squeal as I lose my breath.
“What have you guys been up to? You and I don’t have secrets. Talk, my little brat.”
“I am not a brat.”
“But you will be in trouble if you don’t start talking.”
“Bella training. Val calls us bellas. After Ellen’s demise, Val thought all the wives should train. When we all get together, we are training,” I gasp out as he continues to tickle me.
“Why am I not surprised,” Michael grumbles as he finally shows me some mercy.
“I have told you. Now can I go back to sleep? I will be grumpy today if you fail to allow me some more rest.”
“Fine. Your gifts can wait.”
He lies down in bed next to me and looks up at the ceiling. I go to lie back down but his words settle in, and I become excited.
“Gifts? What gifts?”
“You will see when you wake up.”
I blink at him like he’s crazy. How am I to sleep now? I get up and rush into the bathroom.