Page 78 of Loving the Enemy
“Yeah, it is. I gotta do this, Mikey. I’ve got to get to know Emma. The last time I saw her, she was an infant, then all that shit went down with my parents, and fuck, I just walked away. It’s time she knows I’m here.”
“When I talked to Ice last, he said you all were gonna tell her after the funeral. Hawk is buried now, so does she know?”
“Not yet. We left right after the funeral, and Ice didn’t want to tell her and leave. The last thing he wanted to do was upset her, especially since she’s pregnant.”
“Yeah, I get that. Well good luck. You’re gonna do well with the MC. They are lucky to have you on their team.”
“We’re all on the same team, man. You know that.”
“Yeah, I know. Thanks again. I’ll be in touch when it’s time to make our move on Romeo.”
“Okay, thanks.” He disconnects the line, and I turn toward Ricco and Alex.
“It’s done. The MC has the ladies and the money.”
“Fuck yeah!” Alex says. “Another job in the success column.”
“Success column?” I ask, shaking my head. “Where the fuck do you get this shit?”
“I’m an optimist, big brother,” he says and laughs.
“So what’s next?” Ricco asks.
“That’s the tricky part. I want to wait, see what Romeo does and how he reacts to what we just did. Actually, let’s send Gio down there. He can watch, maybe get an in, and keep us apprised of Romeo’s activity.”
“You know he’s gonna come after us with everything he’s got,” Ricco says.
“Yeah, I know, but he’ll wait. And Gio will be able to tell us when it’s gonna happen, giving us the advantage to be prepared. And then he goes down.”
“I’ll talk to Gio,” Ricco says.
“Good. Now if you gentlemen don’t mind, I’m gonna go spend some time with my wife.”
They both look at each other and laugh.
“Fuck you both!” I say as I leave the room.
After checking our bedroom for Zaira—where I expected her—I find her on the back patio. It’s really late, and I thought she had already gone to bed, but she’s relaxing in one of the chaise lounges. It’s chilly tonight. She’s got herself bundled in a sweatshirt and jeans, not the normal pool attire I’ve seen her in. She’s reading, using the light from her phone, and there’s some fruity drink on the table next to her. I have to chuckle at the sight. She’s so fucking adorable.
“Whatcha doing?” I ask as I approach.
She looks up from the papers she’s so focused on. “Oh, Michael, I was just going over some financials of Bella Celeste.” She smiles. “I guess you could say I’m studying.”
“Studying?” I ask. “But, Zaira, it’s after midnight, and it’s cold out here.”
“I know, but I’ve got a big meeting with the department heads on Monday. We are gonna revamp the budget, and I want to make sure I know where everything is before I make changes. I want to be on point with each department’s spending and their budgetary needs.” She shivers. “And if I did this in bed, I most likely would have fallen asleep. The cold keeps me awake.”
“Damn woman, you’re making me hard just listening to you.”
She laughs.
“Have I told you how proud I am of you?”
“You have.”
“Well I’m gonna tell you again. You are taking the bull by the horns. It’s as if the job was meant for you.”
“I’m loving it, Michael. I’ve always wanted to do something that had purpose instead of just being a pretty face. Thank you again for this opportunity.”
