Georgi waits patiently until I say, “We’re good.”
He pats my outer thigh, then gets up and helps me to stand.
When he wraps his fingers around the back of my neck and we leave the office, I feel overly aware of the bear of a man beside me.
Two men are waiting in the hallway, and the instant my eyes land on them, the good and fuzzy feelings vanish, and panic returns.
“Santino was worried,” one of them informs him.
Georgi only nods as we pass them. When I glance over my shoulder, he pulls me right against his side. “They’re my bodyguards. You’ll be seeing them a lot, but you don’t have to interact with them.”
Oh, good.
I nod as we climb the stairs to the upper floor.
My eyes immediately land on Simi, where she’s rambling in Bulgarian while pointing at books, and poor Santino is just nodding and loading another onto the pile already in his hands.
“She won’t stop,” I tell Georgi. “I really think that’s enough.”
“Okay.”
I walk to my daughter and crouch in front of her. “Go say thank you to Georgi. It’s time to leave.”
She runs to the man who’s completely changed our lives, and he swings her up into the air before letting her hug him. When she kisses his cheek, I watch as he melts and the powerful mafia boss turns to playdough in her hands.
This is what I wanted for so many years.
Becoming aware of Santino standing near me, I walk closer and say, “Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am.”
“You can call me Nina.”
He nods, then scans the entire area.
When the manager approaches Georgi with something to sign, I hurry closer and take Simi from him so his hands are free. Just as I turn around, I see the total amount reaching well over three hundred thousand dollars, my eyes go wide as saucers.
“God! That’s way too much.” The words are out before I can stop them.
“I ordered a custom walk-in castle that will be installed in the penthouse, heirloom furniture for her bedroom, and some other collector’s items I thought she’d like,” Georgi mentions casually. “They’re things Raya loved at Simi’s age.”
He signs the bill and indicates with a chin lift to Santino that we’re leaving.
“Thank you for visiting our store, Mr. Torrisi,” the manager says with a wide grin on his face. “Please come again soon.”
Not if I can help it. Holy crap. Georgi practically bought the entire store for her.
Chapter 23
Georgi
After spending hours on my feet, the muscles in my shoulders have locked up again. It feels like they’re on fire.
At least Nina and Simi have clothes.
I glance at all the shopping bags my men are carrying in, the entire foyer filled with boxes and toys.
On the way home, Simi fell asleep, and Nina looks like she’s about to pass out.
