Page 93 of Desperate Desires

I have your number saved already. And of course it’s okay. I’d have been surprised if your family didn’t throw you a party.

Can’t wait.

I bit my lip. I didn’t know why I’d added him to my contacts under that nickname I’d called him the night we met, but whatever. He was my Tough Guy and it suited him.

This was good news. If Ono wanted to celebrate our wedding, maybe he was thinking about it lasting a good long while.

Maybe forever.

I could hope, couldn’t I?

Chapter 28-Ono

I was a Jersey boy at heart, but I had to admit Volkov Towers was impressive.

Not just the building., but the men and the myth behind it. Former leader of a criminal organization made good, becomes a billionaire, finds true love, a family, and happiness everlasting.

Sure, I’d take that. In fact, I was going to.

I had a much smaller base of operations. Bottarelli World Imports had a building over in Jersey.

I could afford Manhattan. But why bother?

I hated sitting in fucking traffic. The conference room where I waited for my wife’s adoptive family was large.

The floor to ceiling windows gave an impressive view of Manhattan and the works of art that graced the walls opposite were undoubtedly originals.

For a moment, I wondered what kind of special glass Volkov employed to stop the sunlight from damaging the paintings. Clearly, this room was designed to impress.

The chairs were uncomfortable enough that I noticed. I mean, they were expensive. Built to keep the person waiting on edge.

I had to sit straight to avoid sliding off.

Impressive and smart.

There was no lounging or relaxation in that room.

It made me want to smile, thinking how much effort they were going through to make their point.

Michelle was definitely a beloved part of their family. Not born into, but claimed. I respected that, even if it made me grit my teeth a little.

Hell, I wasn’t that much of a prick I would begrudge her family. I was happy she’d had them.

Yeah, I’d been looking into her life ever since I’d barged in on her, and before meeting Michaela, she’d truly been alone in this world.

Her miserable aunt did the bare minimum when Michelle was underage. After she’d turned eighteen, it had only gotten worse.

Now, it was my opinion that was for the better.

Who wanted someone like that in their lives, anyway?

But I was also aware that were it not for the rambunctious and tenacious Volkov family, my Michelle would have been alone.

So yeah, I was glad she had them. I was even grateful.

My poor little, Doc.

She would never be alone again.

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