Page 51 of Labria

“He looks like a client.” I groaned into my cell phone.

“Labria please. Who this man? Is he handsome?”

“Yes, he’s very handsome. What’s the point that you’re trying to make?”

She smacked her lips. “Oh, does he look better than your boyfriend?”

“My client is Lord’s cousin.”

“You didn’t answer the question.” She pressed.

“What question?”

“Does this cousin look better than Lord?”

“They both are handsome in their own way. They are much too different to compare. Maurizio is a free spirit. He—”

“Who is Maurizio?”

“The cousin. His name is Maurizio Bregoli. I call him Zio.”

“Oh, you do. You got a little nickname for your client.”

“Khia, don’t do that. He’s just a cool guy I’m working with. He rides motorcycles. He paints. He’s just cool people. That’s it and that’s all.”

“Please be careful. That family doesn’t seem totally legit.”

“I always am.” I sighed. “But speaking of being careful, why did Lord steal my birth control pills?”

“Huh? How do you know he stole them?”

“I can’t find them and they went missing right before you came to Vegas. I haven’t seen them since. I keep them in the same place.”

“Why would he do that?”

“He really wants to have a baby. I didn’t even notice they were missing right away because I was hanging out with you and the Jackson sisters.”

“Damn, that’s some lame ass shit.”

“Right? I’m pissed. He really wants a baby. He said he’s getting old and a whole bunch of other bullshit.”

“He’s only thirty-three.”

“How did you remember his age?”

“Cause I do. I have to remember everything else since I haven’t met Mr. Ghost. Where’s your engagement ring?”

I couldn’t bear to explain to her that he had to marry an Italian woman. It would make me look like an idiot.

“I’m not going to hold my breath waiting on a ring.”

“Sis, I don’t like the way he’s moving. He’s trying to force things to go the way he wants. He has control issues.”

“He’s trying to keep me and he thinks having a baby will do the trick.”

“Yes, honey, that’s exactly what he’s doing. I’m glad you peeped it. He don’t know your wishy-washy ass like I do. If you let that man gave you a baby, he got you forever. You will have to deal with that man for eighteen years plus. He’s going to want custody. You’re going to be stuck in Vegas. You want be able to live wherever you want or take your child with you.”

I will be stuck with him and his crime family, but she didn’t know that. “It’s not going to get to that. He knows I have to be married first.”

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