Page 73 of Koroleva

"No. Adriano is a child, he's had a hard time and doesn't know you."

"It seems to me that every time he speaks, he paints a picture of me."

"Either way, you should come with us this morning."

"Me?" she asked arrogantly. "Not a fucking chance I'm going to eat with that red-haired whore."

"You were the one who wanted to include her in the package, I didn't mention her until you brought it up." I chuckled softly.

"Don't be foolish, she's always in your package, ever since our wedding night. It was with her that you decided to celebrate it," she added bitterly.

"And you wanted to sleep with that pair from La Marca."

"And I will if I feel like it, that's what we agreed on. Having slept with you hasn't changed anything. The only thing that has changed between us is that we know we work in bed, which was suspected, and my intentions; everything else remains the same."

"It didn't seem that way to me," I countered. She raised her eyebrows.

"Why? Because you came inside me? Because I gave you oral sex? Don't worry, I take pills, you don't have to worry. What happened last night was something we both wanted.

"And this morning?

"That too. End of story. Neither do I love you, nor do you love me; you know that as well as I do."

I could agree that there was no love, it was impossible in such a short span of time, but I knew she could end up appealing to me a lot, immensely, enough to get under my skin, if she hadn't already. She drove me crazy and made me want more, even knowing her intentions.

That woman was going to drive me insane, I didn't know how to behave. I would have liked for her and Adri to get a bit closer, however, Nikita didn't seem inclined, and forcing her would only make things worse. I had to tread carefully.

"Do you have nothing else to say? Good," she asserted, "because I do," she added, making me focus my pupils on her face. She had come closer and I could smell her, I loved her scent, I knew it when I caught myself sniffing her perfume around the house. Wherever Nikita went, it was noticeable. She licked her lips and shifted her gaze to something more disturbing. "I know you're hiding something about the night Yuri died and you're going to tell me without needing to stick anything in your neck." I flinched.

"Where did you get that from?" She offered a twisted smile.

"Everyone has their sources, and mine tells me I'm not the only one hiding information."

"Daddy, I'm ready!"my son's shout split the conversation in two. He appeared wearing the motorbike suit my father had bought him, which matched mine.

I glanced sideways at Nikita, to see if she intended us to keep talking in front of him.

"Amore, they're calling you. You have to go and so do I, we'll continue the conversation, don't worry, I'm one of those who doesn't forget where they left off."

"Have a good day," I wished her, "I don't forget either."

"Better."

Nikita didn't look back and headed for the stairs to grab her things and leave.

"Are you ready, daddy?" I tousled the boy's hair.

"Of course, champ, I have the suit in the garage. I'll put it on and we'll head out, okay?"

"Can Brutus come?" I shook my head.

"It's better not, we might accidentally run him over, plus, I want to get you on the Harley."

"Yay!" he exclaimed enthusiastically. He took my hand and we headed towards the garage.

He was so different. I will always remember the day I brought him home. He wouldn't stop crying, kicking things, and breaking anything that came into his hands. He was angry with life and took it out on any object that crossed his path.

I had never had to act as a father or an uncle before. I liked kids, but no one prepared me for one suddenly appearing in my path.

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