Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 61672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
But I also detected a tinge of sadness in her eyes, every time. An edge in her voice whenever I called to tell her I’d be home late. Being a mobster’s wife isn’t a walk in the park.
And that’s why I’ve been working even harder and spending more time outside the house. So she won’t have to sit around and wonder if I’ll be coming home in one piece anymore.
“I actually have a present for you too,” I say, a big grin stretching from ear to ear. I was planning to tell her tonight, after the birthday party, but the secret is begging to be let out now.
“Where did you hide the other treehouse?” she asks, craning her neck to scan the backyard.
“Funny. You’re not getting a treehouse.”
“A dungeon, then? With a cage, some restraints, paddles . . . It’s so hard to find the time to go to the club lately.” She shoots me a naughty, flirty smile.
“I love your dirty mind. But it’s better.”
Grace tilts her head quizzically.
“Remember the side business I’ve been working on?” For the past three years, I’ve been working with a construction company to build an apartment building in an up-and-coming neighborhood.
Grace gently furrows her eyebrows. “Yeah . . .”
“We finally finished construction last week. My property manager has already begun marketing it, and we’ve got a ton of applications already.”
“Wow. That’s great news,” Grace says, obviously not getting the significance of the event yet. She smiles. “So you’ve given me a unit, then?”
“No. You’re getting me.”
“I’ve already got you,” she says.
“I’ve been slowly letting go of my dad’s business, selling our assets, handing them off to other people. I didn’t tell you because I wanted to wait until everything was settled. And now, it’s done. You’re looking at a completely legit entrepreneur. So, now I’ve got an office you can visit at any time. And I’ve hired people to manage the business for me.” I laugh. “It’s going to take Hector and Franco a lot of effort to adjust, but they’ll make great assistants.”
As I speak, Grace’s face brightens up. “Are you serious?”
“I wouldn’t lie about something like that.”
“Oh my God!” Grace squeals just as excitedly as Jack did mere minutes ago, jumping up and down as she throws her arms around me.
“I know!” I jump with her. “I’m the best gift-giver ever.”
Grace laughs, and eventually, we stand still, panting as we embrace. “I’m getting too old to jump around like that.”
I laugh. “You’ll never be old in my eyes.”
“I didn’t know you were working on something like that.”
“I’ve already lost so much time. I don’t want to miss anything more. I want to be there by your side as our kids grow up.”
“I love you,” she whispers. When her cheek grazes against my neck, I feel something wet on my skin.
“I love you too, kitten. And I hope those are tears of joy.”
She giggles. “Of course. I can’t be happier.”