Page 3 of Ruthless Mafia Daddy

That helps too.

One fleeting look at my phone shows me it’s eight already, and the phone is not ringing.

What the hell, Cassi? Just call already.

“So, a general strat would be to bring out your weather Pokémon to determine speeds of your opponent’s primal, or to keep your primal in the back so your enemy doesn't know if they are going to be able to get off a fire attack.”

Oh lord, please send a fire attack my way.

I listen to him drone for what feels like an hour more about Pokémon and wars and stats before I check my phone. Again.

How is it only nine past eight.

It doesn’t matter.

I think it’s safe to say that Cassi isn’t going to save me from this date, so I’m going to have to do it myself.

“I’m sorry. I need to visit the ladies’ room for a sec.”

I move to slide off my stool when a warm hand cups my elbow as if to help me down.

Jerking, I turn to look over my shoulder.

My eyes land on the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.

“Sorry to interrupt.” His voice is deep and rough as eyes the color of onyx flick to my mouth, and my breath hitches.

Who is this man and where has he been all my life?

2

ANDRE

Five years.

Sixty months.

One thousand, eight hundred and twenty-six days.

Forty-three thousand, eight hundred and twenty-four hours.

And each one has felt like a lifetime.

The pain of loss is as strong today as it was when I first learned about it.

A pain that shatters my insides every minute of every hour of every day.

And the worst part is I lost more than just her. I lost the whole life I had planned for us. Marriage, kids, grandkids. She was my happily ever after.

Now all I have is an empty ever after.

But every day I have to get out of bed because I have people depending on me. My men, my siblings.

I don’t have time to break down. I don’t have time to mourn. I have to be there for all of them. Because their survival, their well-being is my responsibility.

This day is the only day I allow myself to feel.

I gulp down my second double scotch on the rocks and wave a passing waiter for another. It’s going to take close to a whole bottle to help my mind get fuzzy enough to not remember as clearly that my life is over.

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