AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thank you,” I said, offering him a courteous smile. “As do you.”
“I met your sons on the way in,” he said. “You have a beautiful family.”
I smiled graciously. “Thank you, sir. We’re very proud of the boys.”
We entered the dining room. Hugo was back, sitting grumpily at his seat at the table. Marco was beside him, his hands folded on his lap. They both stared up at Viktor as he paused in the doorway.
“You didn’t have to go to all this trouble, Olivia,” he said. “But everything looks wonderful.”
I dipped my head, circling the table to take my seat. Lucien sank into the chair at the head and Viktor took his place opposite me. The boys were to my right, both watching everything with owlish eyes.
“Wine?” I asked.
“Yes, please,” said Hugo.
I turned to narrow my eyes at him, but Lucien gave a short, barking laugh and Viktor chuckled. Egged on by the attention, Hugo held out his cup.
“Hugo,” I said firmly. “Behave.”
He sank back, frowning. Marco’s lips twitched, but he knew better than to gloat over his brother getting into trouble. I rose and began pouring wine and filling plates. From down the hall, the door opened again and I remembered that Cosimo was meant to join us.
My brother appeared, making a hasty apology for being late, and sank down beside Viktor. I passed him a full plate and took my place at Lucien’s side.
“How is your son?” Lucien asked.
“He’s good. Very headstrong boy,” Viktor said. “We can barely keep a handle on him.”
“Sounds familiar,” Lucien said, glancing at Hugo. “Do you still run that hotel, or whatever it was?”
Viktor shook his head. “Restaurant, but no. My business partner and I eventually wanted different things. We’re still friendly, but they decided they wanted to travel internationally and that’s not good for me with my history. Sienna and I have been in Georgia for a while.”
“Do you work somewhere now?” I asked.
He shook his head. “We have enough I don’t need to. I’ve been raising my son and enjoying an early retirement.”
I caught a hint of something in his voice and it took me a moment to recognize it. He was bored—I knew that look in his eyes. A little shiver moved down my spine and my eyes bounced between them. They were both restless and that scared me, but also gave me hope.
Lucien cleared his throat and set his fork down. “Have you been to the city?”
“I have,” Viktor said.
There was a short, awkward silence.
“And?” Cosimo pressed.
“It’s very different,” Viktor said, his voice low. “The men in the organization who stayed seem…afraid. I spoke with Amadeo and Lucidius and they’re keeping their heads down and waiting for you to return. No one wanted a new boss. And…there’s another thing.”
“Yes?” There was frost in my husband’s voice.
Viktor glanced over the table, his jaw tensing. “The house…they burned it.”
I gasped, my hand going to my mouth. “Our…house?”
Viktor nodded. Lucien’s eyes went as hard as rock and colder than ice. I glanced at Hugo and Marco. They were looking back and forth between Lucien and I, waiting for us to explain.
“Boys, would you like to eat outside?” I asked.
They loved eating outside and I knew they wouldn’t pass up an opportunity. I saw Hugo scowl slightly, but he picked up his plate and followed Marco out into the garden.
