Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
I look at Troy. “She has a good head on her shoulders, and we both know that if she were interested in dating him, she would tell us. She’s never kept her crushes quiet. I’m pretty sure I can name them all off.”
Ella’s face grows red, but she stays silent, watching her dad pleadingly.
He sighs, running his fingers through his hair. “Then I guess it’s okay if Sam picks you up, but don’t be surprised if I have Ricky follow. I want to keep an eye on things. I don’t trust anyone.”
“Oh my god, no,” Ella groans, her shoulders falling dramatically. “That’s so embarrassing. I don’t want a bodyguard. People stare.”
I giggle at her reaction. “I know the feeling. When I was younger—before your dad and I were together—your grandpa always had bodyguards following me around. I thought it was so annoying, but honestly, it can really come in handy.”
“Yeah, if you want kids at the school asking why some old guy is following you to school every day.”
“You’re not the only one with a bodyguard at the school,” Troy reasons. “There are plenty of other kids that get escorted to your academy. I’m positive your pop star friend has a bodyguard.”
“Yeah, but that’s because she’s famous,” Ella urges. “That’s totally different. I don’t need some guy to come in and save me if something goes wrong, and obviously, nothing will.”
“Ella…” Troy gives her a look. “You know I just want to keep you safe.”
Our daughter’s face softens. “I know. I love you guys so much, but maybe make him stay back a couple of car lengths or something,” she giggles as the words come out, shaking her head.
“I don’t need bodyguards,” Levi flexes his biceps. “I can handle myself.”
That really gets Ella laughing. “Yeah, right. You’re like, what? Maybe a hundred pounds? I’m pretty sure I could beat you.”
“Nuh-uh,” Levi shoots back, devouring his toast. “I’m a beast. You should see my wrestling scores. I’m undefeated. I’m gonna be the best wrestler in the world one of these days. You’ll see.”
I bite back the laugh, my ten-year-old full of confidence most people only dream of having. Levi is the perfect balance between Troy and me, but the older he gets, the more he acts like a miniature Troy, and I love it.
A phone buzzes on the counter, and I glance at it, noticing the pink cover.
“He’s here,” Ella says, her eyes bouncing between us. “Can we go now? Please? I promise I’ll be good and ask Sam to drive super slow. He already drives like a grandma, but I guess you can send Ricky, too.”
Troy nods, a smile stretching across his face. “Go ahead, honey. I know we can trust you.”
Ella bursts into a big grin, grabbing her backpack and slinging it over her shoulder. “Come on, squirt,” she says to Levi, grabbing his arm and dragging him away from the orange juice he’s downing. Some of it splashes out of the cup, but thankfully, it misses his school uniform.
“Have a good day, you two. I love you both very much,” I call after them, grabbing a towel to wipe the mess up.
“Love you, and be safe!” Troy adds, shooting me a wink. I know he’ll have Ricky trail them. Honestly, it brings me peace of mind.
Living in the city has challenges, but I don’t have to worry about my kids’ safety. Troy always puts our safety ahead of everything else. It’s also why he named Gerard his heir after the fiasco with Vitali, so our children could remain free to do what they chose when the time comes. That’s why he’s better than any security system. However, we have one of those, too.
“Love you guys!” Levi and Ella call back to us just before disappearing out the front door. It chimes behind them, and I watch Troy head to the window, peeking out of the curtain.
“I still think that Sam kid likes her,” he grumbles, eyeing the Mustang pulling up to the curb. “The only thing going for him is that he has a good family. I like his family. They’re good people. Well, and honestly,” he chuckles, “I kind of like Sam, too. I just don’t like the way he looks at Ella.”
“And how exactly is that?” I ask, laughing, as I continue to clean up the mess on the black granite countertops. My eyes are focused on leaving no sticky residue behind, but I feel Troy’s gaze land on me.
“He looks at her the same way I look at you.”
I stop, looking up to meet his eye. “He better not be looking at her like that.”
Troy bursts out in laughter. “It bothers me, but it also means he’ll protect her. I like the idea of having someone on her side at school.”
“Maybe so,” I sigh, turning to Troy and smiling. “So, how does it feel?”