Page 87 of Legal Returns
“I didn’t help. That was all Uri. Did you know Sammy had roses sent to all the girls with thank-you cards and sweet messages addressed to each of us?”
“Thank-you cards?”
“Yeah, for the things we do for him. No two cards were the same.”
“I love that kid so much. LaSalle looks at him like he’s so proud of him and I can’t blame him. I am too.”
“I’m letting you know now. I’m going to beat the life out of his girlfriends if they try to break his heart. I want nothing but the best for him,” she says.
“Girlfriends, I’m not ready. Megan has been texting her little friend from school. That smile on her lips almost got that boy hurt.
“Girl, the way LaSalle stopped and started watching her, then asked who she was texting. If Sammy hadn’t been there to answer for her and reassure his father it was nothing—” I stifle a laugh and shake my head. “They are growing up too fast.”
“Tell me about it. Vita’s mosquito bites are turning into something I can’t ignore. I had to break down and buy her a bra. She’s nine; like, what the hell is going on? I’m changing her diet to vegan,” Val grumbles as we go to take our seats.
I sigh. “Took Jess shopping for her first training bra and realized Megan needs her own. You are preaching to the choir. Did you order?”
“No. Chef Eric is in, so I waited for you.”
“Oh, I didn’t know he was back.”
“I ran into him coming in.”
I nod. Val must have entered through the kitchen, as we tend to do most of the time. I came in through the front today as I rode with LaSalle, who has a meeting here.
Club Smoke, Fire, and Desire NY is our spot. We come to eat, relax, and kick back as we talk over Bella business at least once a week. Although it’s been a while since we’ve taken advantage of the spa and amenities here.
“Anna got on my nerves last week. I think Uri and LaSalle had a talk with her. I don’t think she’s coming back.”
Just like that, I’m reminded why we stopped. Anna was a chef here. She had a habit of rubbing all of us the wrong way, but she was Ramses’s hire. We didn’t want to make waves for the guys.
“Good, because her ass had one more time to say something slick to me or to look at my husband like she was fucking him in her mind. She only got the one pass because this is his business, but he has partners.”
Val rolls her eyes. “I doubt either of them would have sided with her. Remi and Ramses know the deal.”
“I thought Ramses had something going on with her.”
Val waves me off. “He used to. That’s why her ass was so bold, but he’s done with her.”
“Figures,” I snort. “Old stink-ass attitude.”
“Right. That’s exactly why she ended up with my gun in her mouth.”
“What?” My eyes go wide as I look back at her.
She shrugs and picks up her menu, telling me there is way more to the story. I should have known. Eric wasn’t supposed to be back for another two months.
“Anyway, I love those earrings,” she sings.
Then she reaches for my ear, fingering the white-gold chandelier earrings LaSalle gifted me this morning. When I asked what the gift was for, he smiled at me and told me it wasbecause he loves me. My cheeks heat as I think about how I thanked him.
I don’t know if that was more for him or for me. All I know is that we were both sweating, panting, and smiling by the end. Again, I think of his growled promise for tonight to be more of what I got this morning, and I begin to squirm in my seat.
“Eww, you nasty. I know that look.”
“Mind your business. He’s my husband,” I snicker.
“Welcome back, sis. You had one more week before I stepped in.”
