Page 92 of The Mistake

“I’d love that,” I said.

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my lips.

“Stay with me?” I asked.

I didn’t want him to leave. Ive had no idea but he made plans for a second Halloween, andthat to me meant more, so much more, than anything else. He had plans for the future … for us.

Ive nodded. He unwrapped the towel from around his waist and climbed into bed behind me. His large arms, wrapped around my stomach, pulled me against him, and I loved his touches. Snuggling against him, I breathed a happy sigh of relief.

Chapter Nineteen

Ive

Thanksgiving

I didn’t want to invite Ivan, but Charlotte had been insistent. My wife had a way of giving me those sweet eyes of hers that meant she got whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted.

She’d already asked if Cassie and Rage could join us for Thanksgiving. Both had accepted my invitation and I was waiting for Ivan to respond. I knew he changed his plans repeatedly over the years. I was not going to invite any of the other brigadiers.

Charlotte wanted Hubert and Vlad to be there. She had gotten to know my otherman quite well over the past few weeks.

For ourThanksgiving, we were not going to be at the penthouse, but home, at my country estate, where I knew she and Michael were already concocting plans. Michael had already asked if I had a problem with him doing not one but two turkeys, as if I cared how many he cooked. Charlotte had told me she wanted to make sure the whole staff got to enjoy the occasion as well. Her ability to care astounded me. I was convinced she didn’t have a vile bone in her body.

My cell phone rang as I was waiting for Charlotte to get ready to leave. We were heading back tomy country home today.

“Ivan,” I said.

“You called.”

“You know why.”

I smiled. I didn’t want Charlotte to get worried.

“Well, an invite would be nice.”

Ivanwas doing this on purpose, so I winked at Charlotte.

“Charlotte and I were wondering if you would like to spend Thanksgiving with us.”

My wife moved in close. “I’m going to be helping Michael do all the cooking. We’re going to have pecan pie and apple pie, and pumpkin pie. I’m not a big fan of pumpkin but apple and pecan, yum!”

I loved her excitement.

Charlotte brushed past me to head to the bathroom.

“I don’t think Charlotte has ever celebrated Thanksgiving,” I said. We both knew her past and it wasn’t a good one.

“I’ll be there.”

Ivan hung up. He’d been more aloof than usual.

“Is he coming?” Charlotte asked.

“Yes.”

“Will Cassie be riding with us?”

“No, I’m having Vlad bring her.” I had been tempted to drive with my wife and her sister back to my country home, but I didn’t like Cassie. I knew she had probably done everything she could for the young woman, but I couldn’t justify what she didn’t fucking do.

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