I scoff at her question.
“Just because you’re aware of our world doesn’t mean you can demand to know my business Alina.”
“When it comes to Willow it sure as fuck does.” She raises her voice a little and I grind my teeth debating actually telling her.Blyat’.
“Fine. There are some people I’m suspicious of who want more from us and I’m not willing to give them more. I don’t want them sniffing around and finding out about Willow and potentially use her against me.”
That’s all she’s getting. She doesn’t need to know I’m worried about why the Irish want more weapons, or whatthey’ll do when Marco tells them they won’t be getting a bigger shipment from us.
“I need whatever retaliation happens from them to blow over before bringing her into this world.” I finish telling her and she looks me up and down.
A few seconds pass before she decides what I’ve given her is enough and nods. She brushes past me and inhales sharply, pausing at the foot of the stairs.
“Were you with Lev?” She asks while looking down at the ground.
“Yeah, I just left him at my house, how did you know?”
She stands there silent for a few seconds.
“I can smell him on you.” She says quietly before making her way up the stairs.
I scrub my hands down my face. I’m going to kill him. That’s why he offered his cologne for me to wear tonight. ‘This one is better for a nice meal in the housemoy brat’ is what he said to me before dousing me in whatever the hell he uses. He’s basically sent me here covered in his scent as a reminder of himself for Alina.
As if I wasn’t already nervous enough to meet Willows parents, now I have Alina hating me even more than she already does all while in their company for the first time.
Chapter Thirty Two
Dragna
“Ohhh this is one of my favourites!” Willows mother gushes with pride beside me as she shows me a picture of Willow from her childhood.
“She won first prize for the short story she had written which I also have tucked away somewhere. I’ll have to find it to show you another time!” She says as Willow groans beside me and I can’t help but laugh.
“Please do, I would love to read that.” I continue laughing as I take Willows hand in mine.
The picture of Willow so young and proud looking makes me think about what our child or children would be like. Would they be as soft and a beautiful as her? Would they have her determination and grace, or would they somehow come into this world filled with defiance and all hard edges like me? They would definitely be smart like her.
I suddenly realise her and her parents have been speaking while I’ve been daydreaming about having children with her when she squeezes my hand, snapping me back into reality again.
“It’s been so lovely to see you again Wills, we have missed you so much.” Her dad says, looking at her with a longing in his eyes and I wonder what that feeling feels like. To have a child and not keep them with you until the day you die.
God if we did ever have children I know I would be as protective of them as I am with her. It would drive me nuts to not know what they were up to every second of every day as theygot older and now I feel a strange sort of sympathy towards her father over the fact that he isn’t here to ensure her safety all the time.
“I’ve missed you guys too, you need to come up here more often.” Willow tells them as she lets go of my hand and stands. She lifts for our empty dinner plates and I stand then, taking them from her and taking them to the kitchen sink for her.
“So you’re domesticated as well then Dragna.” Her father says as he stands and makes his way over to me.
“My mother made sure I was raised right.” I tell him and he nods at me as he crosses his arms over his chest.
He’s a tall guy, about six foot one and I can tell he works out and looks after himself too. He isn’t bulky, but he I wouldn’t put it past him that he would be able to knock out your average man if the situation called for it.
“I wasn’t happy when Jen told me about your age, I won’t lie. I was also apprehensive about your character and intentions when she told me what you do for business too, but I have to say after meeting you tonight and seeing how well you have been taking care of my daughter, I’m nothing but sure that she is in safe hands, so thank you.” He says and he reaches a hand out for me to shake.
I reach my hand out and take his, giving him a firm shake.
“I will do everything in my power to make sure Willow remains happy and safe, always sir.” I tell him and he tugs at my hand, pulling me in closer to him.
“Good, because I am not intimidated by you in the slightest. She is my daughter, my only child, and I would die before I let anyone else hurt her.” He says as he grips my hand harder and I have to give him credit, the look he pins me with has made me feel uncomfortable.
