Signed To The Mafia King - Chapter 105: Chapter 105

ALINA
I waited almost nervously for Luca's answer. But as always on the topic, he didn't answer. Instead, he stood and walked away. I watched him go, too tired to go after him.
Instead, I went to sleep. I was too worried to sleep most of the night, my thoughts too tangled with images of Riot taking Maya and Leo from us.
He would hurt those children. Riot was a beast, and he didn't deserve them.
I fell asleep almost at dawn. By morning, I realized we couldn't even leave on vacation. Riley had warned us not to go anywhere.
When I told Luca about this, he told me it was ridiculous. “We'll leave if we want to. I'm sure it can be sorted out one way or the other.”
I chewed my lip, trying to believe the same way he did. “Are you certain?”
“Yes. I am. I have a meeting with Mr. Talciro this morning. Do you want to come?” Luca pulled on a shirt and tucked it into his dark pants.
He wanted me to sit in on his meeting? He'd never offered me that before. Still, I shook my head. “I'm afraid I can't come. I need to have a meeting with Mikhail and Ethan.”
He turned towards me, pinning me in place with his eyes. “What's the meeting about?”
“We're expanding. I told you. I need to see the lands. I'm thinking of building new warehouses and maybe another club. An underground one this time.”
He nodded, smiling suddenly. “That's a dang good idea. Why didn't I think fo that?”
I grinned back. “I have no idea.” I lowered my eyes and looked at him through my lashes. “You didn't answer my question last night, Luca.”
Luca’s fingers stilled on his shirt. His mermaid tattoo flexed as he lifted his hand across his head. “I'm not sure I'll ever have a good answer for you, Alina. Other than what I've said already.”
I begged him with my eyes, standing and stepping closer. I pulled his hand from his head and traced the tattoo. “But Luca…”
Luca shook his head and pulled his hand away. “No, Alina. I can't bring my own children into this hell I call a life. But I can make sure Leo and Maya have the best life possible and that's what I plan on doing.”
With those words delivered, he pulled on his shoes and left the house. Mikhail called me a few minutes later. He and Ethan were at the office, waiting for me.
I took Pietro with me to the meeting. There were a lot of decisions to be made and I needed his input on some of them.
“Where's Enzo?” I asked him as we drove over to the office.
Pietro shrugged. “I can't say for sure. He hasn't been at any of his usual spots. Maybe he's still recovering.”
I nodded. “I want you to keep track of Alberto and Enzo. I'm sure those two will be planning something. Also get in touch with our lawyers again, we need to start the process to adopt the kids as soon as possible.”
I knew Luca would want to. The children were our responsibility and the first thing would be to make sure no one could take them from us.
“I don't believe you'll be allowed to do that until the police has cleared you.” Pietro said. “But I will set up the meeting with Campbell. I'll make sure he's available to meet you sometime today.”
I nodded and stared out of the car until we reached the office. I didn't have much of a choice in the matter. Riot had decided to start causing trouble, and what that meant was that I needed some information I could use to get him to back off.
I needed to find a moment to read the diary again.
Mikhail and Ethan were already waiting at the office when I arrived. Ethan looked handsome and mischievous as always. He was growing a beard which he kept stroking as the meeting proceeded.
When the meeting ended, we decided to start the framework for the new club. I tasked Pietro with finding the best architect for the job and ended the meeting.
“Stay back, Ethan.”
He stopped and returned to his seat while Pietro and Mikhail left the office. I gazed at him, uncertain what the angle of his game was.
“Are you going on vacation with Analide?” I sat back in my chair and crossed my legs, trying to find a comfortable position for the conversation we were about to have.
He grinned, his eyes sparking. “I haven't been invited. Analide is pretty put out by the fact that you're not going with her.”
I knew she would be. I didn't blame her for being disappointed, but obviously, I would choose my family over her each time.
“How are her designs coming along?” She hadn't brought one since the last time.
“She's still sketching. I guess she's trying to make ten sketches and batch-share them with you before she leaves on vacation.”
I nodded, relieved. Analide could be a bit of an airhead, but she was likeable, maybe even fun at times. There was just something about her that discomfited me at times.
“Alright, thank you. You can inform her I'll be free tomorrow morning if she wants to bring an early batch.”
Ethan nodded and left the office. I sat for a moment, just thinking of how things had changed. I still didn't have any friends, but at least I had Luca and even more importantly, I had the children.
I wondered how Luca’s meeting with Mr. Talciro was getting on. I'd met Analide’s father only once, and he seemed pretty straightforward. I hoped the deal would go through.
I was about to leave the office and head to see my lawyer when Pietro stepped in. “There's someone here to see you.”
I sat up, asking disinterestedly. “Who?”
“Victoria.”
I narrowed my eyes, grinning suddenly. Surely Victoria was not foolhardy enough to bring herself into my territory.
“Let her in.”