Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“Boss, my ass,” I mumble as the doors open.
We walk to the apartment, and when Tyrone unlocks the front door, I notice his hand’s shaking a little. He pushes the door open, and stepping inside, he lets out a long whistle.
“Wow. Nicccce,” Eden comments.
They glance around, and I can feel the excitement coming off Tyrone in waves. Before I can take cover, he comes at me and yanks me into a bear-hug.
“Thank you,” he whispers, sounding choked up. “You don’t know how much this means to me. Everything you’ve done for my girl and me…” He shakes his head as he lets go and wipes over his eyes. “Damn man. It’s like we won the lotto.”
I pat his arm. “You’re welcome.”
Eden watches us from the side, her features tight with emotion.
Thinking they might want some time alone, I say, “I’m heading back to my place. You guys stay and look around.”
I start to walk toward the door, but Eden catches up to me and presses a kiss to my cheek. “Thank you for doing all of this.”
I nod before leaving the apartment so I can get back to work.
On the ride up in the elevator, my thoughts turn to Eden’s mom. She’s placed my woman’s life in danger multiple times with her addiction problem.
When the doors open, I walk through the foyer and head back to my office while pulling out my phone.
Dialing a number, I listen as it rings.
“Frankie speaking.”
“It’s Dario.”
“What can I do for you?”
“I need cocaine.”
“Say what?”
“It’s not for me dumbass,” I snap.
“Oh…ahh…it will take me a couple of hours. Since your boss sent his men into the area, the dealers have been hiding.”
“Call me when you have it.”
“I need money to get powder,” Frankie reminds me.
“I’ll make a transfer now.”
I end the call and take a seat on the chair by my desk.
I plan on giving Mandy the weapon so she can take herself out. It’s the only way to keep Eden safe.
Focusing my attention on my system, I get back to work, searching for Miguel so we can close the chapter on the fucker.
Chapter 35
Eden
Walking into Yukhaejang, the restaurant where Dario brought me on our first date, I feel nervous for a different reason.
I glance at the tables and customers, thinking this place is the complete opposite of the diner.
Walking to a stand where a woman is reading something, I wait for her to look at me before I say, “I’m here to see Skylar.”
A frown forms on her forehead. “The chef?”
“Yes.” Worried I’m going to be kicked out, I add, “She’s expecting me.”
“Oh.”
As the woman glances over her shoulder, I see Skylar coming from the kitchen.
Thank God.
A smile spreads over her face when she notices me. “You’re here. Come to the back.”
I dart around the stand, and when I reach Skylar, she gives me a quick hug.
“Thanks for agreeing to see me,” I say while we walk to an office.
When she shuts the door behind us, she smiles at me again. “Let’s get the business out of the way so we can relax.”
“Yeah…okay.”
She gestures at a chair, and even though I feel too nervous, I sit down.
“Dario says you have experience in waitressing?”
“Yes. I worked at Ben’s Burgers since I was sixteen.”
“He mentioned the diner. Did you do anything else, or just waitressing?”
“I’ve cashed up at closing time, helped with schedules, and placed and received orders. You know, the usual stuff that goes on in a diner.”
She stares at me for a moment, which doesn’t help my nerves shit, then she says, “I have a manager’s assistant position open. You’ll have to help keep the fridge stocked and plan the serving staff schedule.”
“Really?” I gasp. “That would be awesome.”
Skylar lets out a chuckle. “I have one rule, though.”
“What?”
“If we butt heads at work, it can’t affect our personal relationship.”
“Personal relationship?” I parrot her.
“We’re going to become friends, Eden. Dario and Renzo are close, and we’ll spend a lot of time together outside of work.”
“Oh, right. Sorry,” I chuckle. “I forgot about that.”
She reaches her hand out to me, and when I shake it, she says, “Welcome to the team.”
“Thank you so much.” I feel some of the tension leave my body. “When do you want me to start?”
“The second week of January.”
“That’s still a month away,” I mention. “You sure?”
“A certain person wants to spend the holidays with you before I steal all your time.”
Laughter bursts from me. “Dario?”
“Yes.”
With the business out of the way, she asks, “How are you doing after…?” She lets the sentence trail away, but I know what she’s referring to.
“Much better. I’m back to my old self.”
“Did Dario mention we all get together once a month?”
I shake my head.
“It’s Tori and Angelo’s turn this month. I was Renzo’s and mine last month, and we had Thanksgiving here at the restaurant.”