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CHAPTER31
Niko
I sit back and listen to Maxwell as he sips his scotch. It’s the next day and I resent like fuck that I keep looking at my phone to see if Emilia has called. I know better because I’ve kept the damn thing with me constantly, not wanting to miss her. This woman is slowly killing me. I wonder if I will ever get her under control. I could almost laugh at the thought. I don’t want to tame her. I love the way she challenges me. She keeps me on my toes.
I turn my attention back to Maxwell. The atmosphere between us today is much better. We’ve returned to the way we’ve always been, and I’m damn grateful. This meeting has been relaxing and there has been no leftover tension between us. We’re at the same restaurant that Maxwell insists upon when we’re here. Both of us waved away food, opting for something stronger. It’s barely afternoon yet, but apparently, he needs a bit of the hair of the dog just as much as I do. The only difference is that my frustration is because of his daughter. His is because DeLuca is about to declare war on the Dracos family. I should probably be worried about that, but for the first time in my life, I’m more concerned about my personal life than my professional one.
Besides, the news today isn’t any better than the meeting from yesterday. I can only shake my head as Maxwell finishes catching me up to date. I’m not sure what this means for our future, but I’m confident that in the end we will come out victorious. We just need to get back to the states. DeLuca has connections and Dracos isn’t exactly without enemies. He has weaknesses and we will exploit those. In this business, it always boils down to that old saying,the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
I will help with that, but right now, I can’t focus. I’m too preoccupied, wondering where my bride to be fled and trying to figure out how she managed it. I already have men trying to locate her, but to prove that Emilia is as smart as she is beautiful, she’s not left a paper trail and her cell is turned off. That means she’s taking great pains to remain hidden. That doesn’t exactly make me happy.
“DeLuca apparently had another meeting with Dracos, this one in private. He didn’t even fill me in until after. All I really know is this one didn’t end well because De Luca spent the night getting rip-roaring drunk. I’d say he’s nursing one hell of a hangover right now.”
I whistle as I try to process it. “There’s hardly anything that makes DeLuca lose control like that.” That’s an understatement. The man rarely touches alcohol. He says he has to keep his head about him because weaknesses can be exploited.
He’s not wrong.
“Antonio doesn’t like being disrespected. There are those that underestimate him, thinking he only has his position because his father had it. That’s a dangerous mistake and someone will be paying for it.”
I nod, understanding why he would be upset. “I could see how that would cause an issue because I hate getting looked at as a man that doesn’t belong. Hell, most assume I don’t know what I’m doing because I wasn’t born into it.”
“Those of us that deal with you know better.”
I nod, unsure of what to say, but thankful he feels that way.
“Have you spoken to Emilia?” Maxwell asks curiously. He’s changing the subject. Clearly, he’s just as over talking business as I am.
“Yes,” I sigh. “Did you know she ran away from her security detail? She refuses to tell me where she’s at. She’s too damn stubborn.”
“Did you deal with her guards?” he asks, and he doesn’t sound worried. It doesn’t matter, I am enough for the both of us.
“Damn straight and I’m not finished yet. Emilia on the other hand, I’m not sure what I’m going to do with her. Do you know she isn’t giving an inch? All she would allow is to tell me to call tonight so we could talk terms of a mutual surrender.” I shake my head and scratch my jaw through my beard as I remember our conversation. I’d enjoy this game we’re playing a lot more if I wasn’t worried about her safety. I don’t like that she’s out there unprotected. There’s not much I can do, however. Well, except wait for tonight’s call to try and talk some sense into her.
Maxwell barks out a laugh, surprising me. “That’s my girl.”
“You’re enjoying this too damn much, Maxwell.”
Holding up his drink, he nods. “Indeed I am. I have to say, I can’t wait to see what kind of hell my grandbabies are going to give you, Niko.”
It’s weird as hell, but my heart stutters in my chest as images of miniature Emilias come to mind. The thought makes my cock stand at attention.What the actual fuck?I never pictured having kids. Now, the thought is not only appealing, but my damn body is also ready to make it happen. Imagining Emilia’s stomach stretched with my child takes my breath away.
“Maxwell?”
“Yeah?” I watch the laughter die on his face as he takes in my serious tone.
“Thank you for trusting me with your daughter. I promise I’ll never forget what a gift she is. I will do everything in my power to make her happy and bring out that fire she possesses—the one that reminds me of you.”
Maxwell’s face relaxes and a satisfied smile stretches across his face. “I knew you were the man for the job, Niko. My Emilia has been broken ever since we lost her mother. You will fill her heart with love again. I know it.”
“I think she’s teaching me about love. It’s not something I’ve ever had in life until her. Hell, there’s only two people I could ever say I loved. The first would be Callan, but the second, the second the feelings I have are like nothing I’ve ever seen or experienced.” He frowns as he looks at me. “I never had a father but that’s what you’ve always been to me. I love you, Maxwell. I will protect Emilia and make her happy until my dying breath.”
I can see the approval on his face. I also know he recognizes how hard it was for me to make that admission. This isn’t a conversation I ever imagined having.
He opens his mouth to respond, but the syllables die on his tongue with a painful gasp as shots ring out. The sound of the gunfire thunders in my ears. Time seems to slow down around me. It’s like a horror movie playing out in front of my very eyes. Maxwell’s eyes go wide, his head rocks back, and bright red color blooms across his forehead, running down into his eyes.
“No!” I scream, as the force of the bullet hitting him makes his chair teeter backwards.
“No!”I repeat terror filling me.
