Page 38 of Alfie: Part Two

I hoped that made sense. I wasn’t being jaded or cynical. If anything, I wanted to prevent future fights on the matter as much as possible. The love Alfie and I had shared, and still shared, had always been full of passion and fire. But it also meant we could fight it out quite heatedly, and I didn’t want the topic of hisworkto cause additional problems. We both had to be vigilant about communication so no one became bitter or got hurt.

“I think the way I came to terms with everything is a bit of a cliché,” Emilia admitted. She leaned back and draped an arm around Finn’s shoulders. “I did what all women do when they find themselves with a fucked-up guy with sexy eyes and ass dimples they can’t resist. I told myself I could fix him.”

I let out a chuckle, appreciating the moment of levity.

It was very similar to what Shan had told me too. How I could make more of an impact from within the syndicate, so to speak. By Alfie’s side, at least. Than if we went separate ways.

“But you know what?” Emilia smiled at me. “Part of the fix is realizing there’s something wrong with you too.”

For chrissakes, that was exactly what Shan had said too.

One had to be sufficiently fucked in the head.

“I don’t know what she’s talking about,” Finn said. “She’s perfect.”

I smiled.

That was what it all came down to, wasn’t it? Alfie was perfect for me, when he was truly himself. And if I was completely honest, I was more drawn to him than ever before. He’d unlocked something new that just drove me fucking crazy.

“Speak of the devil,” Emilia sang. She had her gaze fixed on something behind me, at the doors, and I looked over my shoulder to see two visibly exhausted mobsters.

Alfie and Kellan.

My mouth twitched.

Both had stains on their clothes and were fairly sweaty.

Kellan gnashed his teeth, looking a little shell-shocked. “I didn’t fucking choose this,” he whispered. “Why are kids always so goddamnsticky?”

I couldn’t help it. I laughed—and I wasn’t the only one.

“Aw, come here, my darling.” Shan chuckled and extended a hand. “I’ll protect you from the sticky creatures.”

“I chose this, but I still deserve sympathy.” Alfie headed toward me and lifted his brows. “Seriously, papi? You abandon me the moment we arrive so you can get’chur bromance on with Shan?”

“He lured me in with whiskey and a Green Grove membership,” I admitted. I touched his arm as he reached me. “How are the children?”

“Completelyunaware they even have parents.” He collapsed on the armrest, then slid down onto my lap. “Trip is teaching CJ how to color within the lines—it’s going so-so—and Ellie and Ryan are ruling the dance floor.”

There was a dance floor?

“Are they serving food yet?” Emilia asked Kellan. “I’m two minutes away from ordering pizza.”

“They’ve taken over the barbecue area, at least,” Kellan confirmed. “Shouldn’t be too long.”

“I still vote for pizza.” Finn actually pulled out his phone and got busy. “We all know the real party’s in here. The babysitters can do their thing.”

“Many of the guests are here to seeyou, son,” Shan pointed out.

“Well, tough shit! We’re starving,” Finn bitched. “They can kiss my ass some other time.”

“You tell him, baby.” Emilia was on her hubby’s side. “Ooh, I want those garlic knots.”

Alfie and I exchanged a grin, and he dipped down and kissed me.

“You havin’ a good time?” he murmured.

“I am. But I apologize for bailing on you.”

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