“It was handled quickly. No other incident took place after.”
“I just want make sure you guys are safe. I can’t do that if you’re playingwedding guestin Irish territory with no protection. I don’t like my children beingaround so many made men, and you two know that.”
“I know, Papa.” Picking up my drink, I smile at him before taking the pills set in front of me. “Thank you.”
We have our Sunday morning breakfast date before he heads off to work for a couple of meetings. He has breakfast on Friday mornings with Annie, lunch on Mondays with Jakob, and lunch on Wednesdays with Dieter. Mama sees all of us almost daily, and we do dinner together as a family every Sunday evening. My apartment is a constant rotation of my siblings. Mainly my brothers, because Annie’s off at school, but she comes when she can, which is about twice a week. Thankfully we aren’t far from her school, because Annie and I are extremely close. Mama also drops in on her and I at least twice a week. So to say the least, our parents are extremely involved. Not overly; they don’t pry or overwhelm us. They just love and want to hang out with us.
I see at least one member of my family daily. They could be described by some as overwhelming, but that’s not the truth. They just want to make sure I’m taking care of myself.
My phone beeps from the nightstand where I left it. Deciding to check because it’s probably my siblings group chat, I walk into my bedroom and snatch up my phone before heading to the bathroom to brush my teeth.
Quill: I’m Sorry about last night.
My heart’s in my throat as I type a response.
Lee: It’s okay. I’m sorry I upset you.
Quill: You didn’t, Smart Girl. I did that all on my own.
Lee: Well still. I’m glad I can put a name to a face now.
Quill: Me too, and it is a stunning face.
My stomach drops at him calling me stunning. He’s given me compliments more than once over the years, but then hedidn’t know what I looked like. These texts aren’t abnormal. We talk daily, we flirt, and we work in the same field. It’s never been more than that, and we don’t move past harmless banter. At the same time, I can’t deny the desire that floods my veins when I think about how incredibly handsome he looked last night.
Smiling at my phone and our little banter, I send off one more text before going to lounge around and slowly get ready. I told my Papa I felt fine, but that’s not the truth. I’m exhausted and I feel like I was hit by a truck.
Lee: Me?? Have you seen yourself? You in a suit might be my new favorite thing.
* * *
Annie and I walk into our parents house, knowing this is going to be an entertaining dinner. No doubt Jakob is going to get an earful about last night, and I heard a little rumor that Dieter was hooking up with some Bratva chick. We walk into the front door and already can hear Papa’s deep voice ringing out from what sounds like the living room. Looking at each other with raised eyebrows, we tiptoe our way in.
“I don’t give a shit, Rossi. You’re out of your mind if you think I’m subjectingmy daughterto this. My kids don’t step on a single toe in this world and you know that. My stance on the matter hasn’t changed since the day Jakob was born.”
Oh, shit. They’re talking about me.
Papa listens for a minute or two before erupting.
“No, I don’t thinkyouunderstand, Theo. These are my kids-” He’s cut off and listens to Theo Rossi for a beat, “Be that as it may, she is my daughter. She has been for damn near adecade. I’m sorry she caught you off guard last night. That went against our agreement. However, make no mistake, I’ll be six feet under the earth before I allow this life to touch her again. She’s suffered enough. She’ssufferingenough.” He listens a few seconds more before responding, “Yeah, thank you. You’re going to have to because we know he won’t let it go-… Yeah, I’ll see you next week, bye.” Papa hangs up as he turns around and catches Annie and I standing behind him.
“Oh, my Kostbarkeiten. I didn’t hear you come in.” His light blue eyes widen in surprise.
“Who were you talking to Papa?” My eyes narrow at him. I didn’t know he and Rossi were in contact like that. I know he knows where I am, hell he signed over for the adoption. I just didn’t know they talked more than that.
“We’ll talk about that over dinner.” He kisses us both on the head before leading us to the dining room where my Mama, Mila Elke Fischer, is setting the room up. She looks as beautiful as ever in just a pair of jeans and a light sweater. Annie and I are dressed similarly. Mama is shorter than me, standing maybe five foot five, and her frame is slimmer than mine, but not by a whole lot. Annie looks like her clone, from her height and build to the same medium brown hair and pale green eyes. Her eyes come up to us, but not before shooting my Papa a mean side eye.
She rushes over and hugs us both, “Oh, look at my beautiful girls.” She takes a moment to look us over, doting on us, before her thumb comes up gently under my eyes. “Lelonie…” Her voice trails off in concern.
“I’m fine, Mama. Just tired.”
Before she can ask me more questions, the front door opens and shuts, then my favorite voice in the world fills the space.
“Oma! Opa! Tante Annie! Tante Lee!” I barely have time to brace before little legs and a mess of brown hair barrels into me. Catching my niece around the waist and lifting her onto my hip, I can’t help the smile that overtakes my face.
“Hannah Banana!” Squeezing her tightly, I breathe her in because I know I only have a few seconds before her Papa pulls her out of my arms.
Right on cue Dieter pries his four year old daughter out of my arms, making a noise of disapproval in his throat.
