“What was that all about?” I ask in a daze as we head out of the lounge.
“Business, something got messed up tonight and they all thought I’d take it out on Lev.”
“God you must be terrifying in business meetings if that’s how they all react.” I laugh and Dragna shakes his head.
“You’ve no ideamoya dusha.”
Chapter Thirty One
Dragna
“Mama, you’re coming on a bit strong.” I tease my mother over our lunch. Since they swapped phone numbers at dinner my mother has practically adopted Willow as her own daughter.
“I’m coming on strong? You love her and it’s only been a couple of months my boy.”
“Ah, I clearly take after you then.” I smirk at her over my coffee mug.
“She’s a delight Dragna, and her book recommendations are great. Oh and that little shop they work in? It is beautiful, so is her friend! I can’t believe Lev has just let that one go.”
My mother met Alina and instantly wanted Lev to do all he could to win her back. I think with growing up in the Bratva and only having mostly men for company and boys to raise as her own sons when she got older, she has been dying to have women in her life to mother. Or smother, depends how you look at it. Thankfully Willow seems to be just as smitten with my mother as she is with her.
“It’s a touchy subject.” I reply sipping my coffee.
“You need to be honest with that girl Dragna, and soon. You’ll only lose her if you don’t.” She says and she gives me a stern look. I sigh knowing eventually I will have to tell Willow the truth. I just hope that by that stage she’ll be so intertwined in my life that nothing would make her walk away.
“Any advice on that?” I ask my mother and she grabs my hand and squeezes.
“You know my relationship with your father wasn’t the best, but I do know genuine love when I see it and I know you and your heart. You want to keep her safe and that is commendable, so only you will know when the time is right to come clean. However, the longer you wait and the more she begins to trust you, especially after what she has been through in the past, the harder it will hit her.” My mother says with worry in her eyes.
“I know mama, I know.” I sigh scrubbing my other hand down my face. My phone rings and I roll my eyes when I see the name on the screen.
“What Marco?” I answer and I look at my mother as she drops my hand then sets her napkin to her lap, smoothing the edges of it clearly uncomfortable with who I am speaking to.
“My daughter. How is she after last night?”
“I’m not your family counsellor. I’m not playing messenger for you.” I grind out to him.
“Dragna.” He sighs
“Please. I know you might not believe me, but I love her. That’s why I did everything I could to protect her all these years. I just want to know she is okay. She’s my daughter and I care about her.”
“Love her? Care about her? You’re in the skin trade. How can you love your daughter while selling someone else’s to the highest bidder?” I practically growl down the phone.
“We have no dealings in that, I’ve told you countless times.”
“And I’ve told you countless times, I don’t believe you. Is this all you were calling about?”
He clears his throat and I already know it’s not all he was calling for.
“I wanted to ask for a bigger shipment. The Irish up north want more.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose and exhale deeply.
“Anything more than we’re already giving you could end up causing trouble Marco. Why do the Irish want more? What are they planning exactly?” I ask and I hear Marco taking a drink of something before sighing again.
“I don’t know, but they are willing to pay big money. More than double for the extra arms at short notice.”
It’s suspicious as fuck. It’s good having the Irish in our pockets, but I don’t trust them.
