Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81488 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
He looked down at his shoes, towards the closed window, and at the machines. Minutes passed, and he didn’t speak. He fell deep into dark thoughts. They smelled like fresh blood and gun smoke. All he could hear was the pen scrolling across the paper, muted chatter from the hallway from visitors and staff beyond the closed door, and the machines burping and beeping. When Daddy was finally finished, he let the pen and paper drop onto the bed, flopped back onto the pillow, and closed his eyes, bobbing his head ever so slightly to the music. It was more than evident that his father was in excruciating pain, but he’d never complain. That was his father’s nature.
Dad had once got bitten by a snake—he laughed and joked all the way to the hospital, all the while his leg was swelling up like a water balloon and he was losing sensation.
The man’s dry lips parted. No words could come out, but they didn’t have to. The way they stared at one another was enough. Roman placed his hand on his father’s for a brief moment, then picked up the pad of paper and read it:
I don’t fuck around when it comes to my boys and your mama. I called your grandfather and told him to lay off you. He did not respond back right away. When he did respond, his rebuttal came in the form of an inmate.
I’ve got a bad liver and heart on top of the damage to my body from the drug abuse. The man who did this to me is Oscar Fuerte. Your grandfather somehow got to him, offered him money. I know this because he said it to me during the attack. He choked me, then shanked me after I wouldn’t stop fighting back. Left me for dead.
Burn this letter. Don’t tell your mother. Don’t tell your brothers. I may never speak again, but me and that fucker of a father of mine are not done talking. I promise you that.
Genesis felt the vibration of Roman’s phone against her thigh. She reached into her jacket pocket and removed his cell, taking note of the number and the contact name attached to it.
“Hello?” she answered after quickly typing in his passcode.
“…Oh. I must have the wrong number. I was trying to reach Roman Wilde,” came a soft, sweet voice drizzled in trepidation.
“Hi. This is Roman’s phone. I’m just answerin’ it for him. Are you his mother?”
“Yes. Who are you, sweetheart?”
Genesis paused. She wasn’t certain if she should just say her name, introduce herself as a friend, or his girlfriend. Technically they were a couple, but she realized even though she thought of herself as his mate, and he’d introduced her as his girlfriend recently when she’d accompanied him to a gathering, she’d never actually said it herself up until that point.
“I’m Genesis, and I’m your son’s girlfriend. He wanted me to answer his phone in case you or his brothers called. He’s in the hospital room visiting with his father right now.”
“Ohhhh, well, hello there. Nice to talk with you, Genesis.” The lady chuckled, but her laughter seemed wrought with distress, too. “I wish it were under better circumstances.”
“Me too.”
An awkward silence passed between them.
“Genesis. Like the first book of the Bible?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Well, isn’t that somethin’? That’s different, ain’t it? Roman is named after his uncle. My brother. He was a four-star general. A true war hero. You know Roman made it all the way ’til E-6, staff sergeant? He was being promoted like wildfire in the Marines, and movin’ up the ranks until… well, anyway, all that matters is that he landed on his feet. Would you be a sweetheart and please just tell Roman I called?”
“Of course.”
“Maybe he can bring you by the house soon, Genesis, so I can meet you? I’d sure like to see the wonderful young lady my boy is so smitten with. I’ll even fix you a five-star dinner.” She giggled, making Genesis smile.
“I’d like that. Roman talks about you frequently. He’s quite smitten with you, too.”
“Hopefully he sugarcoats everything he says.” Her lighthearted reply lacked a ring of finality. “Genesis, I don’t know you, and you don’t know me, but… oh, never mind.”
“No, please go ahead with whatever you wanted to say,” she urged.
“Roman would be sore with me if he knew I was sayin’ this about him, but I’m glad my son has someone with him right now at the hospital. He loves his father more than you could imagine. Roman knows… Roman knows that… see, how do I say this? Roman is popular. Like, super well-liked and admired, I guess you could say. He knows a lot of darn folks. Not just in Houston, but all over Texas and plenty of other states, too. He’s charming, humorous as all get out, and sociable when he wants to be.”