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Chapter Thirteen
Duncan
New York was an interesting trip to say the least. The meeting was long, and after the fact, everyone split up, going in multiple directions. If anyone wished to target any clan member they’d have to do their fair share of work. I was anything but shocked when Kristof decided to show up last minute. It’s exactly like him to pull something like that, to prepare us for his absence when in reality he’d planned to attend. He is constantly testing people. I just don’t know if the test was for Willow, or for me.
The past couple of days have been simple. I’ve been sticking to my routine, and Willow has made it an easy job for me since she only insisted on going out once to the market. The last couple hours she’s been typing away on her laptop, sitting in an armchair across from me in the living room. “Sounds like you’re typing a book.”
She peers up from her screen and smiles, “No. I’m actually playing around with my website.” Her smile transforms into something almost malevolent, and I wonder what she has up her sleeve. “You should take a look.”
I nod, bringing out my phone from my pocket and go to the website she has for Delish. I see a brand new “locations” tab at the top and click on it. Out comes a drop box for Melbourne, London, Nashville, New York, and Miami. “What do you have here?”
“While you were busy doing whatever it was with my father after the meeting was over, I had the opportunity to talk to Mariana, Natasha, and Katya a bit more. They happen to have quite the sweet tooths, and when I told them about Delish…they wanted in. They’re fronting me the money to have new locations and bring in quality pastry chefs to keep each bakery up and running in pristine condition. Mariana even made a phone call to a friend of hers in Sydney who can send someone to watch over my Melbourne shop. All of the bakeries will be using the recipes that I hand crafted myself, and while I accept that I’ll be dealing with this mess that is the Clans, my dreams will still be coming true.”
It amazes me how in such little time she’s accepted what is happening. She isn’t living in denial but is instead accepting her future for what it is – with the mob as part of it. Willow may not realize it, but she’s already accepted that she’s a princess of the Romanian mob.
Willow talks about her plans and I nod, giving her the idea that I’m paying attention, but the only thing that crosses my mind is how Ion had asked about the progress on her marrying a Romanian man. I don’t want it to happen. Fuck it, I won’t allow it to happen. Everything that Willow has spoken up about is right, and she’s not in the seventeen hundreds. Why should she have to marry someone? She doesn’t need to marry anyone. She’s already spoken for, even if she doesn’t realize it yet.
James comes into my view and begins to speak, “Duncan, Domn wants to talk with you.” I rise from the chair I’m sitting in and head for Kristof’s study. James will stay with Willow until I get back. I rap lightly on the door to Kristof’s study and wait to hear him call me inside. Once he does I turn the knob on the door and walk inside, shutting the door firmly behind me so that we have some level of privacy. “Domn,” I greet.
“Duncan,” he says back . “She did very well at the meeting, surpassing my expectations even.” I tend to agree with him. She handled herself very well.
“Yes. I don’t believe you have much to worry about.”
“Oh, but I do. There is much that her and I have yet to discuss, like her potential suitor. I’m thinking that Stefan Dalca will be a good fit for her. I hear through the grapevine that his father has been very adamant about him marrying a Romanian girl soon. With all the issues with clan members being targeted, it’s important that we continue to produce heirs.”
I clench my jaw and tighten my fist, upset by what Kristof just said to me. “He’s not looking for a wife. He’s looking for a breeder.”
Kristof’s expression shifts. It’s obvious that I don’t agree with what he wants for her. “That is her job, Duncan. She is to provide for her husband heirs, as is any important woman.”
“She isn’t a cow. She’s a fucking human,” I grumble out, never once speaking to Kristof in the way that I am now.
Kristof cackles, rolling his eyes at me. “I am supporting Stefan courting my daughter and anything that comes of it. What I will never support is her being with you. I can tell that you have obvious feelings for my daughter, Duncan, but heed my warning. You will never get anywhere with her. The only thing you will be doing is guarding her with your life, but you will never be part of hers. It’s best you understand that now. She deserves better than you, now get out of my damned sight.” I cross my arms in front of me as he speaks his mind, and possibly even his heart. Kristof isn’t wrong, she does deserve better than me, but she deserves better then Stefan Dalca too.
