Taking my boy in my arms, I slap my pal on the back. Instead of trivializing his help with a mere thanks, I give a curt nod, one military man to another.
He returns it, allows a hug from my woman, and chuckles as he wipes crumbs off the table.
Chapter Six
Sam
A walk around lower Central Park and Mikey’s cheek droops to his dad’s broad shoulders. Mission accomplished, we stop at Grand Army Plaza where we take the escalator down to the subway and board the almost empty car.
With plenty of seats to choose from, we sit in the middle and as the wheels clatter through the tunnel, I notice the circles lining my husband’s eyes.
“Didn’t you sleep last night?”
“A little.” In Suds-speak, this means no.
I suspect his insomnia is due to the boldness of the Detroit Kings so try not to sound accusatory. “You should’ve told me someone tried to kill you.”
“And when did I have time? We have a bad case of BCS.” He raises a brow as if expecting a fight, but I, having slept some, take the high road and smile.
“There must’ve been a moment between the cat fights and the orange juice fiasco.”
He glances at me out of the corner of his eye and the right side of his mouth quirks up. “No, I would’ve remembered, sugar, because if there was a free second, we would’ve had sex.”
“Ouch. Point taken. But seriously, hun. Next time, please don’t try to shield me.” My lips lift to his and as they connect, his brows crease, and he takes the kiss deeper.
As both hands cup my cheeks, his tongue invades my mouth. The subway car empty and our boy asleep, we make out like teenagers until we exit the dark tunnel to cross the East River. In the bright sun, my poor deprived girly parts twitch at the liquid pooling in my undies.
The black centers of his eyes widen and his nostrils flare. “Maybe, if you’re good, we’ll have time for a wild fast fuck at home. Hell, any fucks at all would do.”
In response I cross my fingers and say a prayer to Jude, the patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes. I guess he was out to lunch because the minute we open the apartment door, our demon child wakes.
Shit.Not for the first time, I feel sorry for my parents. If I was at all like Mikey, no wonder I’m an only.
On second thought, it’s probably for the best. Suds may’ve shot the would-be assassin and sent him packing, but what if another comes to take his place?We need to settle this insurance nonsense, let The Kings know Uncle Vinny had nothing to do with blowing up their fentanyl, and hide the fact Patten Securities was involved.
Piece of cake. How hard could it be?
Suds takes me in his arm, squeezes my butt, and presses his want against me. “I need to go to the office. Be ready for me when I come home.”
I wriggle against him, and as his holster digs into my chest, I’m reminded of his close call. “Copy that. Be safe, tough guy.”
“Always.” A quick wink and he’s out the door.
With him gone, I place my son in his highchair and press a knob on his toddler laptop. “L is for lion.”
“And love and lady.” An expert at multi-tasking, I search for flights to Seattle.
Mikey punches another button. “A is for apple.”
“And anaconda and arthritis.” My mouth moves but my mind is otherwise engaged. Who should visit CloudTekToys? I am certain Suds will understand if I put my name on the ticket. What could possibly happen in the middle of the day at a hi-tech toy company?
Convinced my plan is sound, I call and introduce myself to the CEO. Once he’s agreed to meet me, I lock in my travel plans.
A big, fat coward, I text my husband the details and as I wait for his response, Rose sobs downstairs. This nonsense has got to stop. Wheels loves her and she loves him. The rest is trivial.
I raise the staircase and shout down the hole. “Holy God almighty, call him, already.” If she and him don’t get together soon, I will kick their stupid asses until they kiss and make up.
“I tried to explain but it came out all wrong. Now, he won’t take my calls.” Her head pops up stairs and we hug.
