Page 37 of The Mafia's Quadruplets

We ride in comfortable silence, the city giving way to a sprawling park on the outskirts of town. As we pull up, I see colorful balloons and banners and hear the excited shrieks of children carrying on the breeze.

Valerian leads me toward a group of adults setting up tables laden with food and games. A plump woman with graying hair spots us and hurries over. “Valerian, so glad you could make it.” She turns to me with a warm smile. “And who’s this?”

“Claire,” I say, extending my hand. “I’m Valerian’s... friend.” The word feels strange on my tongue, but it’s the simplest explanation.

“Wonderful to meet you, dear. I’m Margaret, one of the event organizers. Valerian’s been a godsend for our program.”

I glance at Valerian with surprise. He looks almost embarrassed.

“It’s nothing,” he murmurs.

Margaret laughs. “Nothing? This man has single-handedly funded three new group homes and a scholarship program for our kids aging out of the system. He’s in the process of helping us set up another program to help aged-out kids have a place to live by building an apartment complex and has his hand in an endeavor to get local merchants to donate furnishings for the apartments. He’s changing lives.”

Before I can process this information, a small whirlwind collides with Valerian’s legs. “Mr. Valerian, you came.”

His expression softens when he crouches down to the little girl’s level. “Of course, I did, Lily. I promised, didn’t I?”

Lily nods solemnly, bobbing her pigtails. “Will you push me on the swings again?”

“In a little bit. First, I want you to meet my friend, Claire.”

She turns her big brown eyes to me. “Hi, Claire. Do you like swings too?”

I smile. “I love swings. Maybe we can all go together?”

Lily’s face lights up. “Yes! Come on.” She grabs both our hands, tugging us toward the playground.

For the next hour, I watch in amazement as Valerian transforms. Gone is the intimidating crime boss, replaced by a man who laughs freely as he pushes giggling children on swings, who patiently helps a young boy learn to ride a bike, and who lets a little girl braid dandelions into his hair.

As I help a group of kids decorate cupcakes, I can’t take my gaze off him. He’s in his element here, radiating a joy I’ve never seen before. It’s...beautiful. It makes me a little melancholy for a minute, because I bet he’d be a great father, and I’m not sure I can ever be a mother…

I quickly squash that thought. Abratvaboss would be the last man I’d choose for fathering my children.

Still, there’s something so warm and paternal about him…

“He’s pretty great with them, huh?”

I turn to see Margaret beside me, a knowing smile on her face.

“Yeah,” I say softly. “He really is.”

Her eyes twinkle. “Valerian’s been coming to these events for years. Started anonymously at first by just sending donations. Then one day, he showed up in person. Said he wanted to see where the money was going.” She chuckles. “The kids adored him instantly. Now, he never misses a picnic or holiday party.”

I watch as Valerian lets a little boy climb onto his shoulders, parading him around like a conquering hero. “I had no idea,” I murmur.

“There’s a lot of good in that man,” she says. “More than he gives himself credit for, I think.” She sighs. “He’s very discreet about his life and business, but I get the feeling he’s not exactly an accountant. It’s a pity, because he’d be a prime candidate for adopting some of these kids otherwise.” She slants me a glance. “What do you think?”

I freeze and clear my throat, still staring at him. “Not my business.”

“Of course,” she says with a smile. “Just sending out feelers, you know.” Patting my arm, she moves on.

As if sensing my gaze lingering on him, Valerian looks up and catches my eye. The smile he gives me is soft, unguarded. My heart does a little flip.

I’ve spent weeks trying to reconcile the different sides of Valerian—the ruthless crime lord, the passionate man who kissed me senseless, and the broken soul, who shared his pain. Now I’m seeing yet another facet. He’s a man who genuinely cares, who uses his wealth and power to make a difference in children’s lives.

It’s becoming harder and harder to keep my walls up, to remember why I should keep my distance. As I watch Valerian laugh, his head thrown back in genuine mirth, I realize I’m fighting a losing battle against my growing feelings for this complex, infuriating, wonderful man.

A couple of hours later,the SUV glides through the city streets, leaving behind the laughter and joy of the community picnic. Ivan navigates traffic with practiced ease while Sergei fiddles with the radio, settling on a classical station. Soft strains of Tchaikovsky fill the car.

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