Othello looked at Tybalt and Antonio, who were being gushed over by their grandparents. "Maybe one day, but not now."
He might have opened his heart to wanting kids again, but not until he found out who was working against him.
"Okay, let's wait until we're both ready," Des said, then looked up at him. "As wonderful as all of this is, I need you now. Take me home."
Leaning down, he gently kissed him on his lips. "Okay."
Saying nothing to the family, he got Des home in record time, naked and screaming his name before the sun hit the sky.
A few weeks later,Des and Alessandro met with Devin as they toured the auction house, checking the crates and ensuring the weapons would be well hidden and secure when they shipped.
The art auction was a front for the shipping and selling of weapons. The art would be sent to the proper recipient, but someone from the organization would be there to deliver the guns to whoever bought them. At least three crates were going to Japan.
The priceless art and artifacts were obtained legally and would bring in enough funds, but the weapons were already bought and paid for, expanding the family's wealth.
"Are you sure you don't want me to stay?" Alessandro asked. "We can come up with a new plan."
"No," Othello said. "We've had this shooting hanging over our heads for long enough. I'm frustrated we still haven't found anything. We need them to make a move."
"Alright," Alessandro sighed. "It's going to be hard pulling Maria away from the twins."
Othello smirked. "She is enamored with them."
"I just wish Iago would get his shit together," Alessandro said heavily.
In the weeks since the babies' birth, Emilia had told the family that she and Iago were over, but she would not stop him from being a part of the twins' lives. Othello couldn't say he blamedEmilia, since she'd put up with his shit for a long time. They were co-parenting, but Othello knew Iago was trying to get Emilia back.
"He will," Othello said, trying to assure his father.
"Take care of him while we're gone."
"Of course."
"Alright, let's get this done. We still need to head to the docks after this to send out the shipment."
They spent the next few hours going through their stock. When they left the auction house to head to the port to check on the freight, the sun had just gone down. Since the workers had already gone home for the day, no one was at the docks but them.
"I want a thorough check," Othello said to Marco and Tallen, along with Vito and Nico, two of his other men who had come with them.
"Yes, boss. " They separated, and Othello scanned the area as a strange feeling crawled up his back.
"What's wrong, Son? You have that look in your eyes."
"Something doesn't feel right." He scanned the dark expanse of the docks. "Get back to the car."
Just as he said the words to Alessandro, the metal clanking of a container echoed throughout the silent docks, followed by the screech of tires. Othello's instinct kicked in.
"Get down," he barked, grabbing Alessandro by the arm and hurrying them both behind a stack of pallets just as a hail ofbullets sounded throughout the docks. The gunfire reverberated through the air. Othello could tell his people were returning fire.
“Another fucking ambush,” Othello growled, crouching low. "I'm getting sick and tired of this shit."
"You and me both," Alessandro said.
"Are you carrying?"
"Of course."
"Good. Stay hidden," he ordered, pulling out his handgun, his grip steady. Unfazed by the chaos, Othello thrust himself into the chaos, returning fire at anyone he didn't recognize. This time, the men who attacked them were bold and did not wear masks, but still, Othello couldn't tell who they were or which family they came from.
