Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“You back home?” he asks the instant he answers.
“Yes. Tess is in bed. Update me with what’s happening.”
“We’ve identified one of the people going in and out of the house as Manno’s nephew. I have men tailing him. If we can get him, Manno might crawl out of the hole.”
“That’s good,” I mutter as I toss a couple of black olives into the bowl.
“What are we going to do about Irene?”
“Nothing yet. I’ll be in tomorrow to deal with her.”
“Still only on a water diet?”
“Yes, I just need her alive enough to know she’s going to die when I put a gun to her head.”
What else goes in a salad?
“The other men coming from Athens will land tomorrow.”
“How many?” Shit, where’s the feta cheese? I dig around in the fridge, then sigh when I can’t find any.
“Ten. What’s the sigh for?”
“I’m trying to make a salad. We’re out of feta,” I inform my friend.
Instantly laughter bursts over the line. “You’re making a salad? Are you shitting me right now?”
“Fuck off,” I grumble. “Bring me some feta and fresh bread.”
“Now I’m doing your grocery shopping?”
“Unless you want to lose your job, you are.”
Again Andreas chuckles. “Only if I can stay for lunch. It’s not every day I’ll get to see you in the kitchen.”
“Do you want to die?” I ask, and letting out a huff, I shut the fridge’s door.
“No, but food poisoning is worth the risk.” The fucker ends the call before I can say another word.
While waiting for Andreas, I get busy slicing up a tomato.
I’m worried the salad’s going to wilt by the time Andreas finally waltzes into the penthouse. He sets the paper bag down, and removing the french loaf from it, he side-eyes the salad. “Wow, miracles do happen.”
I grab the knife and wave it in front of his face. “Keep talking shit.”
I take the feta cheese out of the bag and add some to the salad. When I’m done, I inspect my handy work. “That’s everything, right?”
“Fuck if I know.” Andreas comes to stand next to me, already chewing on a slice of bread. “Yeah, looks right.”
When I turn to the stairs, it’s to see Tess sitting on the bottom one, a happy smile on her face from watching us.
Christ, I’ve missed that smile.
“Are you spying on us?” I ask as I walk closer.
“Yep, and I have to admit, that’s the best entertainment I’ve had in a long time.” She grins at me until I try to pick her up. Swatting my hands away, she scowls, “I can walk. Stop carrying me everywhere.”
“Oooh, the boss has spoken. You better listen, Nikolas,” Andreas taunts me.
While Tess walks to the dining room table, I point at her. “She can get away with murder,” I point at my friend, “but you’re on thin ice. Keep pushing your luck.”
He holds his hands up in the universal gesture for surrender.
Taking the butter from the fridge, I set it on the counter and quickly cut a couple of slices off the french loaf. Placing everything on a serving tray, walk around the counter.
Andreas lets out a snort which has me grabbing a slice and throwing it at him. The fucker catches it and proceeds to take a huge bite.
“Make yourself useful and bring three glasses of water to the table,” I grumble, even though there’s no threat in my tone. I’m too fucking happy Tess is home to really get upset.
I carry the salad and bread to the table, then wonder what’s missing.
“The oil, salt, and oregano,” Tess reminds me, her eyes sparkling with life.
“You heard Tess,” I tell Andreas while I take a seat at the head of the table.
Once Andreas places the condiments and glasses of water down, he takes a seat to my left.
I load Tess’ plate with salad, then butter two slices of bread for her. As thanks, she gives me a grin. “I could get used to this.”
Nodding to her plate, I say, “Eat. Everything.”
Since Tess told me about her self-esteem issues, I’ve been trying to figure out how I’m going to reverse the damage Irene has done.
I want my wife comfortable in the skin I love so much. Also, I’d lose my fucking shit if she suddenly decides she wants to lose weight.
I’ll just have to make sure she eats and keep working to build up her confidence again.
“Let’s pray he doesn’t give us food poisoning.” Andreas winks at Tess.
I slap him upside the head, then give him a glare.
Gesturing to me, Andreas looks at Tess with wide eyes. “You see this? The abuse I have to deal with?”
My blood turns to ice in my veins, and my eyes snap to Tess. Instead of Andreas' stupid comment triggering her, she smiles as she nods at him, then she catches me staring and quickly start shaking her head. “Nope. Sorry. Didn’t see a thing.”