Page 37 of Genevieve

He giggles and slaps at my head. My hair is up in a bun with two chopstick-looking blades. When he pulls on one, his mama takes him back.

“Gotta be five to test drive that, buddy.” She smiles at her son, and I wonder if she’s joking about letting him play with knives in kindergarten.

Who am I kidding? It’s Pinky.

“Ten Tesoro. He needs to perfect his eye-to-hand coordination first.” Willy blows a raspberry on Dj’s chubby cheek and then kisses his wife.

He’s dressed in a suit that he hasn’t buttoned yet, showing off the hostler he’s wearing. Abel walks in behind him with Chaos and Aiden. All looking like fucking GQ models.

“Is there a fashion show someone forgot to tell me about?” I raise my eyebrows at them.

“Always, especially when I’m going to be in front of cameras. However, a show of support from your new board members is never a bad idea. Shall we? The limo should be here.” What?

“Board members? What?” I look at Abel, waiting for him to explain.

“Karma, love, do you actually want to run this business? Because you can dissolve it, but it’ll cost you millions and leave thousands out of work. Willy and Aiden are prepared to run the day-to-day operations, and I’ll take care of the financials. Chaos is just a pretty face, but along with Charlie, they can take care of public relations. Then Judge will handle legal.” This fucker really does think of everything.

“Are we ready to roll?” Satan comes in, and we all stop and stare.

He’s in a black suit.

“I didn’t know they made suits in his size?” Dragon whispers.

“I had to pay for extra material, but he makes Tom Ford look good.” Abel pulls on his sleeves, adding a cuff link while he talks.

“Fucking monkey suit,” Satan grumbles.

“Hush you, and smile.” Violet snaps a picture and grins.

She clutches her stomach when she’s done and looks at the rest of us. She nods as if giving us approval and then kisses her husband. He walks her over to Doc and then heads for the door.

“Let’s move. I need to get back.” I grab Genny’s hand and fall into step behind him.

“Um, Prez? I appreciate your support but shouldn’t you be here with Violet?” Everyone starts getting into an oversized hummer limo.

“Morningstar Industries just bought the majority of your company, so you remain owner without responsibility. I have to be there. So let’s do this.” His words are harsh because of his worry for his wife and child, but his eyes remain soft.

“Thank you.” He knows I don’t want to have anything to do with my father’s business but that I wouldn’t shrink away from my role because of family honor.

So he took the choice from me. I’ll never be able to pay him back for it. Or hell, maybe I don’t have to. Sebastian Cole is a very wealthy man, but I just increased his portfolio by a few million. And I know the money will go where it’s needed most.

I smile as I get into the limo.

A flash goes off, and I frown as the dots in my vision finally fade away. I catch Abel putting his phone away, avoiding eye contact.

“I want a copy of that,” Genny says to him.

FUCKER.

* * *

Genevieve

Abel winks at me.He caught the most amazing smile on Miya’s face. She never smiles like that, and I’ll have to ask her later what brought it on. Satan doesn’t normally make anyone smile but Abel, and that’s just because the fool has a death wish.

Miya clasps my hand in her lap. She’s sitting talking to Abel with her legs wide open so our hands are hanging in-between them. I rub my pinky finger up and down the inside of her thigh as they talk. I know I should be paying attention, but I can’t take my eyes off her chest.

Cliche? Maybe but it’s mine, so fuck it.

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