Page 27 of His Playground

“A week.” I nod.

“Wow, man. If you need pointers on how to keep a woman satisfied, you should have come to me sooner,” he says.

“Fuck off. It’s not that.” At least I don’t think it is. I haven’t touched her since that day in her bedroom at her father’s house. Her body still responds to me, even if her mind doesn’t want it to.

“You can’t let her move out,” Louie states the obvious.

“Wasn’t planning on it,” I grunt. “What are we doing about the shipment?”

We’re expecting a delivery. It was supposed to be here two nights ago and got held up. Some fucker from customs attempted to blackmail Louie. Needless to say that didn’t turn out too well for him.

Before the bossman can answer my question, there’s a knock on the door and then it’s opening. I’m on my feet, gun in my hand, only to quickly lower it when Emmanuel saunters inside.

“Tío E!” Jazzy jumps up from the sofa, rips off her headphones, and runs towards him.

I turn back to Louie and Sammie. “Tío E?When did that happen?” I ask them.

“Since I decided I’m going to be her favorite uncle,” Emmanuel says, walking over with my daughter in his arms. He sits her on the desk. “Why are you here listening to these boring old men have a meeting, princesa?”

“I’m not listening. I have my headphones.” Jazzy points to the sofa where she just discarded them.

“Jazzy, tellTío Ehe’s never going to be number one. I’ve already beaten him to it.” Louie stands and walks around the desk.

“But that will make him feel bad, Uncle Louie.” She looks genuinely concerned.

“He’ll live,” Louie replies.

“Are you going to die like my…” She stops speaking and covers her mouth.

“No one here is dying, Jazzy. How about you go and watch your show on the iPad? As soon as we’re finished, we can go get ice cream,” I say.

“Promise?”

“I wouldn’t lie about ice cream, Jazz,” I assure her.

“No.” She shakes her head. “Promise that you’re all not going to die?”

I can’t promise her that, because it would be a lie. “I promise that we will do our very best to make sure we don’t die,” I tell her instead. She seems satisfied and jumps off the desk before running back over to the sofa.

“Who she talking about? The death shit?” Emmanuel asks as soon as she has her headphones back on.

“I suspect her mother, but I’ve checked the records of every hospital in the state. There are none. This woman doesn’t exist.” I’m frustrated that I can’t find Penelopeoruncover what happened to her. And the fact that Jasmine thinks she can’t say anything pisses me off. Whatever secrets my daughter is keeping are taking a toll on her.

“I thought you left town,” Sammie directs to Emmanuel.

“I did. I’m back. I heard your wife is getting a visitor tonight.” Emmanuel looks at Louie.

“Is she?” Louie smiles.

“Figured I’d stick around and come for dinner.” Emmanuel shrugs.

“Sure, the more the merrier.” Louie shakes his head and then glances over to me. “Bring Antonia and Jazzy. He won’t go doing anything stupid if Jazzy’s there.” He points at Emmanuel.

“Cool, use my daughter in place of the antipsychotics we all know he needs. Why not?” I laugh.

“After dinner, we’ll go deal with the shipment,” Louie adds.

“Great. Now, I’ve gotta go home and tell my wife she’s not getting her own house.” I stand and button my jacket.