Page 109 of Ripped Veil (Ripped Bratva)

Charity’s mouth literally falls open. “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”

“Charity!”

“Oh, come on, Elyssa. A shopping spree! When have you ever been on one of those?”

“Maybe we should just stay here,” I suggest.

Charity turns on me with a wild look in her eye. “I’ve had enough of you dragging your feet on this,” she says. “Even if you don’t want the gift, I do. So suck it up and come with me.”

Sighing, I nod, knowing this is a fight I’m not going to win. “Fine.”

“Excellent,” Charity says, clapping her hands together. “I’m gonna go get dressed.”

She runs into the bathroom, leaving me alone with Anna.

“I’d be happy to take care of the little one while you’re out today, Miss Elyssa,” the housekeeper says hopefully.

I raise my eyebrows and glance back over my shoulder at Theo. His chubby little legs are still pedaling lazily above the pillow barricade I erected around him.

“I don’t know, Anna. I haven’t really left him before.”

“Well, then, it’s about time you did, don’t you think?” she suggests. “You need time for yourself, too, darling.”

As nerve-wracking as leaving him makes me feel, I do recognize the need for a day of freedom. “Okay,” I admit. “Maybe it’s not such a bad idea.”

“I’ll take good care of him.”

“But if anything goes wrong, I don’t have a cell you can contact me on,” I realize.

“Don’t worry, dear. I have the numbers of all the men who are accompanying you two,” Anna reassures me. “I’ll just call one of them.”

“All of the men who are accompanying us,” Charity repeats, rushing out of the bathroom in jeans and a simple red halter top. “How many are there? And are they cute?”

I roll my eyes. “Just answer the first question.”

“Actually, I’d rather you answer the second one. It’s way more important.”

Anna looks between us with a fond expression. “You’ll be accompanied by two guards. Both of whom are reasonably attractive, in this old lady’s opinion.”

“I can live with that,” Charity quips. “Elyssa, can you get a move on, please?”

I head into the bathroom and change into jeans and a tight black t-shirt. I keep my blonde hair loose and forgo makeup entirely. But when I walk out again, I do start to feel the buzz of excitement.

Anna’s already got Theo in her arms and she’s cooing to him softly.

“Ready for your day out, Mama?” Charity winks at me.

Taking a deep breath, I walk to Anna and plant a soft kiss on Theo’s forehead. “You’ll let me know if anything comes up?” I ask her.

“Of course, dear.”

I nod. “Thanks, Anna.”

“Just go and enjoy your day. All will be well with the little one.”

Charity hooks her arm with mine and drags me out of the room and down the stairs. When we exit the house through the main door, there’s a big black sedan waiting for us.

Two suited security guys stand in front of the vehicle. Both look like Secret Service agents, and true to Anna’s word, both are definitely attractive.

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