Page 75 of Cunning Vows


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“You really do know how to pick them,” Michael says, laughing in the driver’s seat.

“Yes, it seems I do,” I say, shaking my head. And I suspect any moment now she’s also about to receive the lingerie sets I paid to be delivered today.

But what’s the worst that could happen? Jewelry and lingerie… surely, those will lift her mood.

The car comes to a stop out front of the airport, and I spot my mother right away. She’s tiny, her head, with its light-blond curls, only coming up to my chin. She waves with a kind smile when she spots us. Michael and I both step out of the car as I walk around to give her a hug. Her arms go around my waist, and she pulls me into her. Michael grabs her bags and puts them in the trunk.

“My boy. Gosh, I’ve missed you,” she says as she gives me a once-over.

She always tells me I remind her of my deceased father. She never re-married, and as far as I know, she hasn’t dated anyone for a long time. Which means I’m her world, so I make sure to make her mine. I send her money, even though she tells me to stop. I bought her a house when I got my first real money, and while I don’t outright tell her what I do, I suspect she knows it’s not all legal. No investor makes this much money, unless it’s dirty somewhere along the line.

“It’s good to see you, Mother.” She pulls back, taps my chest, and smiles at me. “A little more notice next time might give me time to properly prepare.”

“A mother doesn’t need to give notice or a good excuse to visit her child. Besides, I miss the dogs,” she says, and appraises Michael, who she thinks is my personal assistant.

She reaches for him to give him a warm hug, one he begrudgingly accepts.

“We just finished with a business meeting,” I explain to her as I get her settled in the car. Michael sits behind the wheel, and I join my mother in the back. I almost always choose to drive, but it’d been months since I last saw my mother.

She immediately begins to interrogate me. “So, why are you staying out here? Big business venture?” she asks. “I was surprised when you said you’d bought an estate here. I didn’t think you liked it in New York.”

Michael looks through the rearview mirror, and I can sense he’s probably laughing internally right now. How do you tell your mother you’re addicted to a woman in the same way a druggie is to crack?

“I’ve met someone,” I say simply. “But, yes, also a business venture.”

Her jaw drops. “You know my girlfriend told me you might’ve met someone, but I didn’t believe her. She must be such a sweet girl. Tell me about her.”

I try not to choke on the assumption of her being a sweet anything. Unless you liked your treats dipped in poison, that is.

“She takes some getting used to and is stubbornly headstrong.” I smile thinking of Anya and how she just chewed me out over the phone. I can’t help but find it all charming.

“So when do I get to meet her?” She reaches into her purse and pulls out a bag of cookies. She makes them for me every time she sees me. It’s like our little ritual. I accept the one she offers.

“It’ll depend on her work schedule,” I hedge. I want my mother to meet Anya, but with the current mood she’s in…

My phone begins to ring and automatically goes through the car system. Mention the she-devil and she will call.

Michael stares at me through the rearview mirror.

“Is that her?” my mother asks. The screen shows “She-Devil,” and I’m grateful Michael and my mother can’t see the photo I have of Anya as my screensaver.

“It would appear so. Think she got my package?” I say to Michael with an arrogant smile. Because Anya is most likely going to be explosive right now.

“Sir?” Michael asks.

“Answer it. She doesn’t take it well when I don’t,” I say, already amused by the outburst that’s about to happen.

“You piece of shit. How dare you send me lingerie as well as a fucking diamond collar. You think this will make up for your bad behavior of saying you liked to fuck her? You think I’m going to get on my hands and knees for you just because you say so?!” I smile as she yells. My mother, on the other hand, has wide eyes and is staring at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“Sweetheart,” I say with a smile, just imagining her livid expression.

“Don’t you sweetheart me. I earn just as much money as you, asshole. I can buy my own fucking jewelry. And how about you wear this collar while I shove something up your ass for a change?”

My mother gasps. “Oh, her language.”

There’s a pause.

“You have another woman with you? Are you fucking kidding me?!”

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