Page 69 of Forgetting the Enemy
Chapter 23
Michael
Zaira is moping around our hotel room while I get ready to go to my party. I know Mia and Gina have something planned for her, and I so much want to tell her to put her mind at ease, but it will ruin the surprise, and that’s the last thing I want to do. I know dinner is on the agenda, and I also know Gina purchased tickets for Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man. After our little tryst this afternoon, I doubt Zaira needs any help in that department, but I’m always open to new ideas. I’m a little uneasy about my kid sister going to this—Lord knows I don’t want her getting any ideas—and I’m absolutely horrified that my mother will be there too. But what can I do? I can’t ruin Zaira’s night just because I’m being overly sensitive.
I’ve got Darius and Tony hanging with the girls tonight. There is no way I could let them out on the streets of Vegas alone. The Vitalis have enemies and not just in New York, and I need to be cautious and protect the ones I love. They have strict orders not to let any of them out of their sight.
Finishing up, I walk to Zaira and kiss her on the cheek. “I gotta go, babe. Have fun tonight.”
“Oh, yeah. Me andI Love Lucyreruns will have a blast.” She looks downward and then says, “Have fun with the boys. I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say.
“Oh, yes. I’ll be the one in white—or I guess ivory.”
I give her a hug and hold her close. “Thank you.”
She looks at me curiously. “For what?”
“For agreeing to marry me. You have no idea how happy you’ve made me.”
She smiles. “Well if it’s anything like my happiness, then I think I do.” She pauses and then says, “Now go.”
I give her another kiss and head out the door.
***
Zaira
A few minutes after Michael left, my cell phone beeps. It’s a text message from Mia.
You’ve got one hour. We’ll be up to collect you.
You better be dressed and ready to go.
I reply:
Ready for what?
Mia responds:
Your bachelorette party, silly.
Now quit texting me, and get your ass in the shower.
One hour, Zaira.
I quickly shoot a text to Michael, informing him I will be leaving with the girls.
His response is:
I already knew that.
Have fun tonight, my love.
xoxo
I send him back a kissy-face emoji and drop my phone into my purse and rush off to the shower.
