Page 18 of Ruthless Mafia Daddy

She took and peeped into the back, nodding at the content. “That’s a good start. Go on.” She placed the bag next to her.

A soft smile tugged at my lips as I watched her little display. I knew she would forgive me. She wouldn’t be here if she wasn’t going to, and I didn’t take her benevolence for granted.

“I’m sorry, Julia.” I started, holding her hand on the table. I knew how much she wanted me to be at her wedding. We had spent the last weeks of our final semester fantasizing about whenHayden would propose and how she’d respond. And when he did propose, she texted me immediately, and we began planning what the wedding would be like.

“I wanted to be there. I wanted to be present in every chapter of your story, but you know, my father’s condition is getting worse. I think I might lose him soon.” I said, forcing a tremble into my voice.

“Oh dear,” she clasped my hand in hers, rubbing softly. “You should’ve called or left a message. I would’ve helped in any way I could. You don’t have to always do everything yourself.” She said, worry etched on her pretty face, and I felt the strongest wave of self-loathing consume me.

There was barely any difference between Mikhail and I at this moment. Living double lives and lying to people about our true identity. Except Mikhail did not lie, he was exactly who they said he was, and he didn’t even have a second name. I shook the thought away from my head. There was no way I was going to compare myself to that monster. What I did, I did for good.

“I couldn’t have burdened you with my problems on your happiest day. It was enough for me to watch you be a beautiful bride from the sidelines. My presence would have dampened the aura.” I let out a sad smile, guilt forcing my hands to slowly fall from hers.

“How is he now, your father?”

“Alive. I don’t think he’ll be for long, but he is today.” I drew in a deep breath, growing increasingly uncomfortable with the topic.

“Enough about me and my old man. Tell me everything, from the places you’ve been to your experiences being a wife. I want toknow every detail.” The brightest smile took over her face, and I felt my heat spread through my heart. She was happy, and I so loved that for her.

“Well, first we went to—.” She stopped abruptly, her brows knitted as her gaze swept across the restaurant. “Won’t you feed me before drawing all the juicy details from me?”

“Don’t worry, babe, I ordered a meal fitting for a bride. It’ll be here in no time.” I chuckled, and her initial excitement reappeared.

“First, we went to Barcelona. You know I’ve always wanted to see the structures from Dan Brown’s books,” she rambled off, talking about all that had happened in the past few months, from her travels to the things she bought and information on all the craziest places she and Hayden had sex as they traveled. I listened with rapt attention, soaking up her words like a sponge.

“What about you? What’s up with you these days?” she asked, her mouth filled with the “marry me chicken” on her plate.

“Well, I got this job at—”

“Nope! Not that. I’m asking about you, Ari. You’ve devoted your whole life to work and your father. You deserve to find love and some happiness, too.”

“There may be someone,” I lied through my teeth, and she squealed at the revelation.

I whipped up a sappy story about how I bumped into him at a restaurant, and we’d been on two dates, and it looked promising. It was my only way out of the conversation; else, she’d spend the next couple of minutes educating me on the importance oflove and companionship. We were on our third bottle of wine, and my tummy ached from all the food and laughter, but I wouldn’t have any other way. We jumped from story to story, taking multiple trips down memory lane and sharing pictures and videos where necessary. I felt lighter than I’d felt in the past months, and my heart was filled.

“You keep me posted on that cute guy and make sure you don’t chase him away with your bad communication skills.” She teased as she made her way out of the booth and got ready to go.

“I will try.” I laughed, getting on my feet to hug her.

“You must. Don’t be a stranger, Ari.” She whispered into our hug, and I could only muster a nod in return.

I decided to stay back in the restaurant for a little while, nursing my last glass and reveling in the peace till it was time to return to reality.

CHAPTER 8

Mikhail

“What do you mean you couldn’t find anything on him?” I barked at the men standing in front of me. “You’re standing here, telling me you couldn’t find anything on one man for the past three days?”

“We’re sorry, Don,” Alonzo, the leader of the group, said, his head hanging low.

Enzo was able to do a clean sweep on Adam and managed to find who sent him. All these idiots had to do was to fucking bring him to me, and they couldn’t do that. They stood there, hands tucked behind them and their heads hanging down to tell me one man eluded all three of them.

“I don’t need your sorry, Alonzo! I gave you a task, now you get out and don’t come back till you’ve found that rat and bring him back to me,ublyudki!” I cursed, and they practically scrambled out of my office.

I pulled at the knot of my tie, tugging it loose as I leaned back into my chair. Frustration coursed through me like oxygen circulating around my system. I’ve not had one night of complete peace since that bastard decided it would be a good day to plant a bomb in my hotel, and incompetence was the last thing I needed on my team right now.

Enzo and I did not employ every method in the book to find Adams’ contractor for these idiots to stand before me and tell me they couldn’t find one man after three days. I heard my door open, followed by the familiar click of Cynthia’s heels. “Mr. Ivanov, you have—”

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