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I walk out of the room with my head held high, even though I’m crying. My heart has been smashed into a million pieces. But I can’t regret it, because I now have two perfect daughters.
Chapter 39: Demetri
Onlyonceshe’soutof sight do I allow myself to fall to the chair. My fingers had to dig into my jagged skin through my pocket to keep myself from touching her. I wanted to kiss those tears away. I wanted to take the pain that radiated from her away, but I knew I couldn’t.
She will see that I’m right about this. She just needs space. This is the best for our family. I was stupid to think I could have my own happily ever after. Mafia bosses don’t have that luxury. The sooner she accepts it, the better everyone will be.
A knock brings me out of my thoughts. Levi, my IT guy, is standing in the archway. I motion with my hand for him to come in.
“I want the ability to know where she is at all times.” He doesn’t have to question who I’m talking about. Setting her free doesn’t mean I’ll be able to forget about her.
“Siya has continued to sniff around. What would you like done with him?”
“Set up a meeting. I want eyes on his family in case I need to use them to my advantage too.”
Levi and I go through more business. Other than my cousin, I guess I’ve always been closest to him. I’ve always tried to keep a distance between me and everyone else. Come to think of it, I don’t have any real friends. I have the business, and it has kept me busy enough that friendships have never been required. And after everything with Mikhail, I don’t know whether that is a good thing, or what has caused all the shit in my life.
Therestaurant’schairacrossfrom me is pulled out, and I wait a second before I place the reports I was reading into my briefcase. Three days have passed, and each day, Levi sends me information on Katrina and the girls. She hasn’t stepped foot into the gallery I bought her or touched any of the money I transferred into her bank account.
Siya sits across from me. “Why are you here?” I ask, meaning hisrealintentions.
“I thought you wanted a meeting.” He plays dumb.
“I’m the one who killed your grandparents. I don’t do business with your family for a reason. Tell me why you have searched me out.” I hate small talk. There’s no reason to tiptoe around the subject.
He doesn’t flinch. He knows what I did.
“That was a different generation.” His eyes narrow. “But I am here because Mikhail was interested in joining forces.”
“Mikhail is no longer around to do business.” Of course it was my cousin. He’d been planning this take-over for a long time. I was too blinded by the value of family to notice.
“I didn’t trust him anyway. It’s why I searched you out. I wanted you to know I was in town, hoping things would sort themselves out,” Siya explains. I grunt at his response, but he continues talking. “We are willing to put the past behind us if you are. Look into us and what we can do for you. You’ll see that shipping will be easier than before. If you are interested, let me know.” I will not go out of my way to ask for help when I don’t need it. “You will find your current port issues are because of your cousin. But your contact is used to more money than what you pay him. And he’salsoused to keeping supply. It may be hard to keep business status quo.”
I nod. I don’t mind some bloodshed to get my way. Movement from outside the window catches my eye. Katrina walks by, and a man places his hand on her lower back as they enter the restaurant. She walks in, her hair cascading in waves down her back. She’s wearing tight blue jeans with rips up her thighs.
My eyes trail her as she’s led to a booth. She’s laughing and smiling, with the same smile I used to receive. I had pictured her mourning our relationship, since I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind. All I do is think about her. I even dream about her.
My skin tingles with her proximity. My eyes are glued to her, but she doesn’t look around. She doesn’t notice me off to the side. The thud of my heart has the temperature rising in the once cool room. I want to stalk up to her and kiss her, then drag the man she’s with out by his hair before I shoot him.
I used to think our connection could survive anything. She used to glance up every time I set eyes on her. I would watch her blush under my heated stare. Today, she is giving those smiles away for free. Her eyes sparkle. This is what I wanted. I wanted her happy without me. But then why did I believe it would never be possible? Because I was hurting?
I made the right decision. She is happy without me. It’s all for the best.
I clear my throat and look back to Siya. His attention is on Katrina too.
“Do you love your wife?” I ask him.
He turns his head and nods. “I do.”
“If you value your wife, then you should stop looking at mine.”
He chuckles and puts his hands up in surrender. “I don’t need to be told twice. In fact, I would have never given you the option.” He stands and raises his hand to me. “I look forward to doing business with you one of these days.” We shake hands before he does up his suit button and walks out the door.
Katrina still hasn’t looked my way.
Anotherweekhaspassed.I’m miserable, and I need to get a glimpse of Katrina. I tell myself it’s only to assure myself that she’s all right. It has nothing to do with my addiction, needing to know everything she does. Her car stops, and I watch as Maximus Mancini steps out of the back and rounds the car to open her door.
I don’t trust anyone with her, especially someone with Maximus’s reputation. He takes her hand, and I have to fight to not pull out my gun. They round a corner, and I step out to follow. I told myself I just wanted to see her. But now I need to make sure she’s safe. When I turn the corner, I run right into Katrina, knocking her backward. It’s like she was waiting there for me.
