by J. L. Beck
I smile because maybe she is right. Maybe her sister did find love in Xander, the same way Violet found love in me. I guess I’ll find out today. I press a kiss to her forehead and unbutton the top button on my dress shirt. This fucking thing is making me sweat.
“I’ve got to go down to the restaurant. You’re going to go with Roman and sit a couple tables away. I don’t want you out of my sight.”
Violet nods. “Make sure to ask him a lot about my sister. All the questions I told you. Make sure that she’s okay.”
“Of course, Kitten.” I take her hand into mine, feeling like a million bucks with her by my side. We meet Roman out in the hall, and he gives me a once over, a smirk on his arrogant face.
“You look like a lawyer, and you’re sweating like a pig headed off to the butcher.”
“Thanks, you look great, too, asshole,” I respond, shaking my head.
“Why, thank you, I always look good.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “I mean, I am the younger, better-looking version of you.”
“Shut up. I need your head in the game. You’re to make sure nothing happens to Violet while I’m at this meeting. Don’t leave the room with her, and don’t let her out of your sight.”
“What if I have to go to the bathroom?” Violet asks, mischief in her blue eyes. Roman and her like to tease me, even more so now than ever, since I’m a little bit overprotective and a whole lot crazy when it comes to my girl.
“Then Roman will accompany you inside.”
The smile drops from Roman’s face, and Violet snickers under her breath.
“I’m not a babysitter, Ivan. If she has to go to the bathroom, I’ll wait outside the fucking door. It’s not like anyone is going to want to try and go inside with me standing in front of it.”
I clench my jaw, telling myself that someday Roman will understand what it’s like to love someone more than he loves himself. “I don't care what you do so long as she remains safe.”
Roman rolls his eyes. “Let go, I’m starving.”
The elevator pings, and we all step inside.
Once inside, I turn to Roman. “You’re supposed to watch her, not stuff your face.” Of course, he’d be more concerned about his belly.
“Why can’t I do both? Plus, how weird would it look if we just sit in a restaurant and not eat or order anything?” He cocks a dark brow.
“I’m actually a little hungry, too,” Violet interrupts, smiling nervously. The elevator door opens, and we make our way down to the hotel’s restaurant. I keep Violet close by my side, while Roman walks right behind us. I scan our surroundings for anything that looks unusual. Of course, we came here thirty minutes early so no one would see us coming together. That’s what you do; you arrive first and leave last.
The hostess greets us and brings us each to the specific tables we have reserved. Violet and Roman sit across the restaurant but within eyesight of each other. I watch her from a distance when the waitress suddenly appears in front of me, cutting off my view.
“Sir, what can I get you?”
“Whiskey, neat.”
She smiles and nods as she starts to walk away.
“I’ll have the same.” A deep voice makes me look up.
“Of course, Sir.” I watch the waitress scurry away, clearly uncomfortable with two guys looking like us at her table.
Xander Rossi takes the seat directly across from me, looking rather pleased with himself. “Ivan, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Can’t same the same.” Especially now that I see his face. His features are so similar to his father's. He looks like what I imagine Rossi Senior to have looked like twenty years ago, and I have to remind myself that he is not his father.
“You might change your mind about me when you hear what I have to offer you,” he smirks, full of himself, just like his father.
“And what’s that? What could you offer me that I don’t already have?”
“Money, power, and of course, the most important thing… freedom. You would never have to look over your shoulder again. Never have to worry about someone coming for you.” His offer is very tempting, very tempting, even more so now that Violet and I are expecting a baby.
“The question is… what do you want in return?” I cross my arms over my chest, staring him down.
His dark gaze doesn’t waver from mine. “All I want from you is a location. Tell me how to find my father so I can kill him. That’s all I want from you. Then we’ll all be free from him and able to live our lives.” Xander is very good at hiding his feelings; you have to be to survive in this business. But even he can’t hide the flash of desperation in his eyes. He wants his father dead more than anyone else and that's saying a lot considering how many people want Rossi dead.
“Furthermore, once my father is dead, I’ll need someone to take over his business in this area. I don’t want to expand mine, but I don’t want one of my father’s goons to take over either. I could make sure that you get the position.”
“How do I know you’re not going to just stab me in the back later? I don’t know you but what I’ve heard about you raises concerns about your trustworthiness to me, and those I care about. Maybe you’re just blowing smoke up my ass now so you can turn around and kill me later, taking your father’s territory for yourself.”
“I can assure you that I have no need nor desire to do either of those things.” Xander leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. He looks as determined as I feel. “I guess the real question is, are you willing to trust me to secure a future for you and the people you love?” When I don’t answer right away, he continues, “Maybe we should ask Violet to come over here and see what she thinks.”
Anger and protectiveness surges through me like I’ve been hit by lightning. I slam my fist down on the table, loudly. “Stay the fuck away from her.”
The last thing I need is Xander hurting Violet and our unborn baby.
Xander chuckles and puts his hands up, trying to calm me. “No reason to get angry. Look, I know what you’re probably thinking. I keep Violet’s sister like my father keeps his women and if I’m being honest, I thought the same thing about you, but now that I see you and her.” He glances over to where Violet and Roman are sitting across the room. “It’s obvious that you care for Violet just as much as I care for Ella, and for that simple reason alone, I won’t betray you. I won’t do anything that would hurt Ella or her sister.”
I can’t deny the sincerity in his voice. I consider my options. He’s not asking me for anything dangerous, anything that I can’t give him. And he’s right, hurting Violet would only hurt Ella, and if he cares for her as much as it seems right now, then I doubt he would do anything.
“If you fuck me over, I will come for you, Xander,” I growl, and then look over to Violet. When our eyes meet, I wave her over. She sits there wide eyed for a second but then excitement grabs her, and she hastily makes her way over here with Roman on her heels. She sits down next to me while Roman takes a seat at the head of the table.
“You must be Violet,” Xander greets her. “I’ve heard a lot, and I mean a lot, about you. I’m Xander.” He holds his hand out to Violet and it takes a lot out of me not to pull her fragile hand away when she takes it and shakes it softly. He might actually love Ella and play nice with us, but I know the things those hands have done. I know the life he’s lived.
“Is my sister here? Is she okay? Can I talk to her or see her?” She starts bombarding him with questions, excitement in her voice.
“She is not here, I’m afraid. She stayed home in North Woods because, quite frankly, I didn't know if I could trust Ivan yet. I wanted to come and see for myself before I put her in any danger. As for the rest, yes, she is fine. Happy and healthy. We can definitely set up meetings for you to meet as soon as I’ve taken care of my father. Which hopefully will be very soon.” Xander looks straight at me, urging me to give him what he wants.
“Until then, maybe we can set up a secure phone li
ne or even video chat? You could talk whenever you want.”
Violet’s eyes sparkle as she nods vigorously. She looks like she’s about to jump up and hug Xander. I hope she realizes that I would never allow that. I barely managed to hold myself back watching them shake hands.
“Okay, Xander, I’ll take the deal. I’ll tell you where he is and how to get past his security. But I want your word, a blood oath. I don’t want you turning around taking it back.”
A triumphant grin spreads out on Xander’s face, and he pulls a knife out. When Violet sees the metal of the blade, she gasps. I extend my hand out, watching as he slices the skin on his palm, before handing me the blade. I do the same, feeling the sting of pain as the sharp blade cuts through my skin, and then we shake hands across the table.
My gaze pierces his, and I know now we’ve just become family rather than enemies.
“I’ll be in touch,” He releases my hand and gives Violet a soft smile. “It was very nice to meet you, and I’ll be sure to let your sister know you’re alive and well.”
Violet opens her mouth to say something, but the words never come. I grab a napkin from the table and wrap it around my hand, watching as Xander drops money on the table and walks out.
Silence settles over the table, and I take a drink of my whiskey, letting it burn down my throat. Fuck, that was easier than I thought it’d be.
“Are we safe?” Violet looks up at me, those blue eyes of hers making me weak with need the same way they did the day I rescued her, taking her into my arms.
I smile, feeling like a hero. I might not have been able to save Mira, but I understand now that’s not my fault. I can’t control everything… but Violet, I could control her outcome, and saving her is the best thing I’ve ever done.
“Yes, Kitten, we’re safe.” I lean over and kiss her, a groan from Roman filling my ears.
“Are you guys going to fuck, too?” he mumbles, as I pull away.
I grin over at him. “Of course, we’ve been doing that a while. How the hell do you think you became an uncle?”
Roman looks at me, shocked, completely shocked. “You’re having a fucking baby?”
Violet and I both nod at the same time. Roman, of course, throws his hands in the air, shoving away from the table. He leaves the restaurant without a backward glance, and I understand why he feels the way he does. We just reconnected and now I’m making a family of my own. He doesn’t want me to forget about him, but he has no fucking clue the plans I have for him.
“Is he going to be okay?” Violet asks, her hand finding its way into mine.
“Of course, Kitten. He’ll come around.” I finish my whiskey and put some money down on the table. Violet gets up, pushing from the table, and I take the moment to wrap an arm around her middle and pull her into my chest.
A tiny gasp slips past her pink parted lips. “We’ve come such a long way, Kitten. Making you mine and putting a baby inside you is the best thing that could’ve ever happened to me. Thank you for saving me.”
The smile she gives me is breathtaking, and my heart starts to pound deep inside my chest.
“Thank you for guarding me, watching over me, and keeping your promise.”
“You were mine the moment I laid eyes on you.”
“Yes, and you were mine.” She pushes up onto her tiptoes and kisses me, and I know she’s right. We belonged to each other that night, our hearts tethered to one another's.
Epilogue
Violet
Nervous anxiety coats my insides, and I wipe my hands down the front of my jeans to rid them of the sweat forming against them. I’ve talked to Ella almost every day now, and I’ve even seen her when we video chatted, but none of those things compare to seeing someone in the flesh. In a few moments, she will walk through that door, and I will be able to see her right in front of me. I’ll be able to throw my arms around her and hug her until my muscles give out.
“You okay, Kitten?” Ivan takes my hand under the table and squeezes it lightly. We are in some fancy restaurant. Xander rented out a whole room, and we have been patiently waiting for ten minutes for them to get here. Although it feels more like ten hours to me.
When I see the hostess come around the corner, my heart skips a beat. Right behind her is Xander, who appears with my sister on his arm. As soon as she sees me, she breaks from Xander’s hold and basically pushes the hostess out of the way to get to me. I jump up and meet Ella halfway.
We crash into each other, and I wrap my arms around her, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. To many it might not be much, but to me, after assuming she was dead, it means the world to see her in the flesh, to feel her arms wrap around me.
We hold each other for a long time, not caring how crazy the hostess thinks we are. Neither Ivan nor Xander interrupts our little bubble of joy, most likely because they’re afraid of what would happen to them if they tried.
When we finally break free from our everlasting hug, I pull away to look at her face. She is crying, of course, just as I am, but they are all happy tears. Besides her puffy and red eyes, she looks good, great even. She looks happy and I wonder if she sees the same in my face. Can she tell how happy I am?
“You know, you guys can sit down, too,” Ivan calls from the table. I look over and see Xander has already taken a seat beside Ivan, and I take Ella’s hand into mine, walking us to the table. Months ago, I never would’ve thought this moment could exist. A moment where we would all be sitting together as one big happy family.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Ella,” Ivan greets her but doesn’t extend his hand to her. Xander’s just as protective of Ella as Ivan is of me, and even though we’re all on good terms, neither of them approves of the other touching their woman.
“Thank you for arranging this.” Ella nibbles on her bottom lip, looking between Xander and Ivan, who both smile at her.
“I told you I’d give you whatever you wanted, Mouse.” Xander’s nickname for her makes me smile. Mouse? Does she know that Ivan calls me Kitten?
“I know but I just never thought this would happen.”
“For what it’s worth, neither did I.” Ella gives me a half smile, as she takes her seat. I sit in the seat beside her and take a sip of water. I hadn’t told her about being pregnant yet as I wanted to tell her in person. She looks nervous as well and I wonder if she, too, has something she wants to tell me.
We order lunch and the entire time, I’m jittery, wanting to spill the beans. Ivan keeps smiling at me, making me even more nervous.
“What’s going on?” Ella finally leans over and whispers in my ear. Nothing has changed, not really. She can still tell when I’m nervous or if something is wrong.
“I’m….” The words sit on the tip of my tongue, and I look to Ivan across the table for permission. When he gives me the nod, I burst at the seams. “I’m pregnant.”
Ella blinks, her eyes going wide, then as the shock wears off, she smiles, looking to Xander. He doesn’t nod, all he does is smile.
“Me, too,” she says with a joyous smile on her lips.
“Wait, you guys are having a baby, too?” I question.
“We sure are, and I cannot wait for the moment when her belly gets nice and big.” Xander’s eyes twinkle with love, with pure joy.
“Oh, my god, I can’t believe it. We are pregnant together,” I laugh. “Don’t you remember we used to talk about that when we were kids? How we said we’d have babies at the same time.”
Ella smiles. “I know. We said we would do everything together, including having babies.”
Who would have thought that our dreams would one day come true? We might have planned getting pregnant together, but we definitely didn’t plan on finding the men we love the way we did.
Our original plan included living next door to each other. Both houses with large connecting backyards and white picket fences. I don’t know if I see that in our futures now. Maybe two mansions with high-voltage security fences is more likely. Tha
t’s if Ivan and Xander can manage to live that closely to each other.
Either way, I’ll take it. I’ll take all of this. We might have not planned to end up with two mob bosses, but I am sure as hell not complaining now. I’ve never been loved or cared for more in my life. Ivan might kill with his hands, he might destroy, but when he touches me, it’s with nothing but kindness, with a gentleness. Seeing him as that man when no one else gets to is something I’d never give up.
“Ivan and I are open to letting you both plan each other’s baby showers if that’s something you would like to do, Violet? Of course, it cannot be the typical baby shower, being we will need security, and such but it will be just as good, I assure you.”
I look away from my sister and to Xander. “I would love that. I’m hoping soon that we can make a visit to your house? Maybe stay for a short while?” I look over at Ivan; he knows I’m not asking. I will make this happen. That’s the one thing about me that will never change. Determination for the things I want and the people I love will be something that I never let go of.
Ella’s eyes light up. “Yes, that would be so fun. Xander and I are considering putting a pool in so maybe after we get that done?”
“Now, now, don’t be getting ahead of yourselves, we need to plan accordingly,” Ivan warns, and I merely roll my eyes at him. Such an overprotective bear. I can’t help but love him. I lift my gaze to Xander. I don’t know all that him and Ella endured to get their happily ever after, but I’m sure it was just as much as Ivan and I had endured.
“Thank you for keeping her safe, for finding her…” I trail off, feeling tears sting my eyes. Xander’s face is devoid of emotion so I have no idea what he’s thinking but it doesn’t matter to me. I don’t care, not really. All that matters is that I said what I wanted to say.
“Things weren’t easy at first, and I’ll save you the story of how shitty of a man I was to your sister in the beginning, but I can promise you that I’ll always care for her, love her, and make sure she’s well protected. So long as I’m alive, no harm will come to her. I promise you that.”