Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 311(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Cosima licks her lips. “I hear you.”
“Good girl.” I gently brush my mouth to hers. Cosima lets out a soft sigh. I release my hold on her, going back to chopping the bell peppers for our omelets.
“So you and Marks. I want the tea.” Her mention of a drink has me going to the refrigerator to grab her a glass of orange juice.
“You know I do work outside of the family business?”
“The family business.” Cosima snorts. “It sounds funny when you say it that way, but I suppose it is the family business.”
“I do a lot of private contracting.” Though it all can link back. I freelance for many different people, and that can earn favors, which can help the family. It also can have its risks. I know a lot of people’s secrets, ones that I shouldn’t.
“Yeah, you have a few pattens and that dark, spooky web.” Spooky web. If only it were just spooky. It’s a place where you can never unsee things.
“I do a lot for the government too.”
“I thought you might.”
“Marks does too, when she feels like it.” Which isn’t too often.
“That’s how you two know each other.”
“I knew more of her before. I didn’t dig before she slipped into our lives recently.” I’m still not a hundred percent okay with Marks. I find it really fucking coincidental that, of all the people in this world, she ended up making friends with Tova, my now sister-in-law, in an online book club, and their friendship bloomed from there.
I just don’t have any proof of anything nefarious. Everything appears to be in order, and from what I've observed, Marks has shown protectiveness toward both Tova and my Cosima. I believe she cares for them, now at least. I’m not sure it started out that way, but time will tell. Secrets have a way of always revealing themselves. Let’s hope that Marks has good intentions for all of our sakes, especially hers.
“You both are wicked smart, but she says you’re better.” Cosima watches me intently. Damn is it nice to have her eyes on me and to be able to speak freely with her like we used to. To not always be at each other's throats because we both had pent-up feelings inside that we didn’t know how to handle. It’s interesting the things you don’t realize you enjoy until they’re gone.
“She’s still young.” Rebellious too.
Marks has gotten herself in a few sticky situations, and one time her handler had to help get her out of it. Which is why he’s so pissed she didn’t show up the last time he requested. You don’t want to owe the government any favors.
I place the omelet in front of Cosima. “It’s nice to have someone in the house that can cook. I think the lady, Norina from next door, was overfeeding us.” That’s exactly what I paid her to do. To watch over Cosima and make sure she was taken care of as much as possible without being too obvious. Just a friendly neighbor looking out for the younger girls next door.
“It’s part of her job.” I put the bowl of fruit I cut up next to Cosima’s plate.
“Wait.” Cosima blinks, thinking over what I said. “Norina works for you?”
“Yes, Norina is on my payroll,” I admit. “Had to make sure you didn’t burn the place down.”
“Hey!” Cosima huffs. “That was only once.” I lift a brow. That lie might work on someone else, but I know every single detail about her. “Okay, twice. Do you have cameras in here?” She lets out a small laugh. I pop a grape into my mouth. “You’re supposed to laugh with me.”
“I don’t laugh about your safety and security.” I pop another grape into my mouth. I suppose slowly letting Cosima know how insane I can be when it comes to her would be best.
As I said, all secrets have a way of coming to light. I’ll ease her into it.
"You're crazy, you know that?" She shakes her head, smiling.
See, it's already working.
Chapter Fifteen
COSIMA
How the heck did I not pick up on Norina being hired by Z? Once he said it, it clicked in my head. As much as I want to kick my own booty for not catching that one, I have to give her props. She’s good at what she does, and I can’t be mad at her for that. Plus, she makes the best breakfast soufflés.
“You’re not upset?” Z brushes my hair off my neck. I tilt my head when he kisses me there.
“No, but her breakfasts are better than yours.” I bite into my omelet.
“Brat.” He nips my neck, making me laugh. This is nice. I hate that Marks took off, which I will be chewing her ass out about later, but I’m enjoying this time with Z alone.
“You should google how to make soufflés.”