Chapter 5
After Shandra revealed what Andrea had said to her, Leo had her and Amina head back to her home with clear instructions not to open the door until he arrived. He told her he would be there later and, until then, not to speak to anyone. Two of Tristan’s men were assigned to them for the night. Usually, their protection detail stayed out of sight. Tonight, he needed them visible to anyone who would try to do anything stupid.
His princess had no idea about the chaos happening around her, and that was the way it should always be. He wasn’t her biological father, but he was the closest thing to one she would ever have. No other man would step in and try to raise her. It didn’t matter if Shandra thought she could move on with her life and find someone else.
Actually, it did matter. Because that shit would not be happening on his watch.
Amina would always be his little princess. His little girl.
And her mother would always belong to him. He hadn’t even fucked her yet, but that would happen soon enough.
It had been a mistake to bring Andrea to the house today. He fucked up.
As soon as he had the chance to get back to them tonight, he would have them both move into his home. It was safer to have them here at the compound, but there was something to be said for having Shandra and Amina at his home.
Unlike some of the other men, his home was befitting a man of his status. A large home with five bedrooms, an office, a formal dining room, a family room, and a full theater in the basement. Up until now, he had no reason to ever dream of his house being filled with the sound of children. But what happened today may have sped things up a bit.
“How bad is it?” he asked, walking into Tristan’s office after leaving Shandra and Amina at her house.
Leaning back in his chair, a look of resignation on his face, his friend took a deep breath. “Andrea wants revenge. I just got off the phone with her brother. Since their father is getting up there, he’s handing over the reins to Oscar. I explained the situation and told him there would be no revenge and no apology from Shandra. I made it clear to him what she said about my marriage, my wife, and my future child. That in fact, I took her words as a personal insult to the Lucarelli family, specifically to my Donna.”
Leo walked over to the bar and lifted the bottle of whiskey to Tristan. “Want some?”
“No. I’m good.”
“I need a fucking double,” Leo groused before pouring himself a drink. “She’s not even my wife yet, and she’s driving me crazy.” Swallowing the harsh liquor in two gulps, he looked over at his friend. “What the fuck am I going to do when we’re married?”
Tristan laughed and stood up. “Don’t you think you should slow down? You haven’t asked her to marry you, yet. Hell, I’m not even sure if the woman knows you want anything more than friendship with her.”
“She’ll know after tonight.”
Tristan shook his head as he sighed deeply. “Leo, you never should have brought that woman to this house. You know how things got fucked up with me and Camille, and you’re about to do the same. Don’t ask me for any advice on how to handle headstrong ass women. All I can tell you is don’t piss off my wife. She’s delicate right now, and I can’t have her stressed out over your bullshit.”
His words were blunt, but Leo could see the laughter in his eyes.
“Fuck you, Tristan. Our Donna is not a delicate flower. She can hold her own with any motherfucker in our world. She may have grown up differently, but her life was no less dangerous.”
Nodding, Tristan placed his hand on Leo’s shoulder. “And I need you to remember that when you deal with Shandra. I don’t know why she acts the way she does, but there’s something about her that tells me she’s been through some shit. I don’t know what it is, but she and Camille have some darkness inside them. Shandra may not have grown up the same way as my wife, but don’t dismiss her just yet.”
Leo placed the glass on the table, preparing to leave and go to Shandra. “Camille still awake? I was going to say goodbye before I head out.”
“No, she fell asleep while watching one of those reality shows she loves so much. The bambino is taking a lot out of her lately.” They both walked out of the room toward the front door. “I need you to figure this shit out with Shandra so we can have some peace. But make sure she knows that this situation with Andrea should be handled. If the Ricci’s know what’s good for them, they’ll drop this bullshit and keep Andrea on a short leash.”
“I’m taking Shandra and Amina to my house tonight.”
“What if she doesn’t want to go?”
Leo knew he was busting his balls, but he also recognized the truth of the situation. Would he allow Shandra to refuse him? To keep her safe, there was nothing he wouldn’t do. If she pushed back, he would use his secret weapon. His princess.
“Let me handle that. She’ll come on her own. Trust me.”
Tristan gave him an odd look, but then shrugged. “Take care of your family.”
“I will.” Leo walked outside to his blacked-out luxury SUV and made the drive to Shandra’s house. Just before arriving, he called her cell phone so she would know he was almost there.
“Hello.”
“I’m a few minutes away from your house. Is Amina still awake?”
“Yes, but I was just about to read her a story and put her to bed.”
“Keep her awake. I’ll read the story to her. I’m pulling up now. Come open the door.” Once he parked his truck, he exited the vehicle and made his way over to the men assigned to watch the house. It was just a precaution, but a necessary one.
“Any problems?” he addressed both men.
“No, sir. It’s been quiet.”
“Good. We’re going to head to my home in a bit, so be prepared to move with us. Until you’re told differently by me or Tristan, your focus is to keep the two people in this house safe. No matter what. Understood?” Leo was taking no chances with the two most important people in the world to him.
“Yes, sir. Understood,” both men responded.
Walking past them with a nod, he knocked on the door. Before he finished, the door opened, and she stood in front of him. “Shandra.”
“Leo.” She looked around him. “Hey guys. Need anything to eat or drink?”
“They’re fine,” Leo answered on their behalf before stepping over the threshold and slamming the door. She took a few steps back as he stalked in her direction. “Stop being nice to them. They’re here to do a job.”
She rolled her eyes and smacked her lips instinctively. “You’re such an asshole. Are you hungry? I made dinner. I’ll make you a plate,” she said, deciding for him. “You also need to go see Amina. She’s waiting up for you.”
As he watched her move around her home, he pictured what she would look like walking around his. Over the past year, he’d updated some things in his home to make it more fitting for a family. He’d already started researching a playground that could be used for children up to ten years old. That would give his Amina five years to create memories. His gaze took in the pictures on the walls and tables. Most were of Shandra and Amina, and some even included Camille. He wished his face was reflected back at him in the family photographs. He wasn’t a picture-taking type of guy, but that practice started when he was in the military. It was never a good idea to have pictures of his personal life out there for others to see or use against him.
But now, he didn’t think it would be so bad to have a moment captured in time with him, Shandra, and Amina. That’s what regular people do, right?
“Leo, what are you doing? Why are you just standing there?”
He shook his head and ignored the question. “I’m gonna go read her a story.” Before heading down the hallway, he removed his suit jacket and laid it over the back of the couch. Rolling up his shirt sleeves, he made his way to Amina’s room. When he opened the door, he saw her big brown eyes turn to him.
“Hey, princess.”
“Leo the Lion!” She beamed up at him as he walked toward her. “Mommy says you’re gonna read me a story.”
Smiling, he picked up the book on her bed. “I sure am.” He looked at the book cover, then glanced at the precocious child. “This book is too long, Amina. I can read you a little tonight, and we’ll save the rest for tomorrow.”
“But you won’t be here tomorrow. I don’t like it when you’re not here. Why can’t you live with me and Mommy? I want you here all the time.”
Hearing her words was like a vice tightening around his heart. He wanted that more than anything in the world. To be with them every day. To read Amina bedtime stories every night. To fuck Shandra so deeply, she fell into a dreamless sleep. To create a life with them. It was something he wanted more than anything. He would make it happen by any means necessary.
After tonight, when he told Shandra they were coming to his home for a while, it would be their first test. Would she fight him every step of the way, or would she finally see that they were meant to be together?
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you snuggled in so you can get some sleep.” When she woke up tomorrow morning, she would be in her new home.
Twenty minutes later, he walked back down the hallway and over to the dining room table where Shandra sat. A plate of food was in front of his usual chair. “Tristan spoke with the head of the Ricci family. We expect everything will be fine. Don’t worry.”
She scoffed before standing. Shandra grabbed an open bottle of red wine, two glasses, and poured. “I’m not worried about that trifling woman. She started this shit with her nasty, racist ass words. How are you gonna come to the head of the Lucarelli family’s house and talk shit about his wife? Everybody knows that those two are crazy in love. She’s lucky all she got was my fist in her face.” She placed a glass in front of him.
Leo agreed with her words, but he would not give Shandra any more ammunition. “Shandra, I need you to listen to me for a minute. Doesn’t matter if you were justified or not. You’re now connected to the Lucarelli family. Anything you do will reflect on them. People will look for a reason to take revenge on the family for any wrongdoing. I know why you did it, and so does Tristan. And let’s not forget, she wasn’t only talking shit about Camille. She said some stupid shit about our little girl. That is not something we’ve forgotten, nor will we let it pass.”
Shandra noticed the slip with his words, but chose not to mention it. It seemed to roll off his tongue so smoothly. She had no choice but to think he actually felt that way. Her heart beat a little faster at the thought, and she wanted to smile but did everything she could to fight away the urge.
“So, what now? Are the Ricci’s asking me to apologize? You know that shit ain’t gonna—”
“Sit down,” he interrupted. She threw him a look that would wither a lesser man. “Come on, Shandra. Sit with me. Have you eaten?”
Stunned by the abrupt subject change, she nodded. “I did. But I’ll drink this glass of wine right here.” She lifted her hand in a mock toast before taking a sip.
As he dug into the food, he marveled at how good of a cook she was. That’s one reason he didn’t want her feeding their men. He was half afraid they would fall in love with her because of her cooking alone. Then how would it look if Tristan’s men started to disappear without reason? No, they could never taste her cooking. That she always took the time to make him a plate or create his favorite meals had to mean something, right?
“This is good,” he said after wiping his mouth with a napkin and taking a generous swallow of the wine.
“Thank you. You said you were coming over tonight. Since you hadn’t been over in a while, I wanted to make sure you had a meal.” Taking a breather, she continued. “Why haven’t you been over? You always come to see Amina and have dinner with her. But last week, you ghosted us. I mean, I know what I said… but I always say shit. You should be used to me by now.”
She stared at him, waiting for a response.
He stared at her, wondering what to say.
Leo finally spoke up. “Don’t you think it’s time I spent my time elsewhere? You made it pretty clear that Amina is nothing to me. Why do you care if I’m here or not?” Yes, he was pushing her, but this was a conversation they needed to have.
Her hands twisted. Eyes shifted. Those plump lips were being chewed up by her teeth. Shandra was nervous, and he felt he knew why.
“Even if you’re upset with me, Amina shouldn’t be punished. She enjoys having you around. It took extra time to get her to sleep all week because she’s so used to seeing you every day. When she didn’t, it upset her.”
“Was she the only one upset?” He didn’t mean to ask that question, but now he would give his left leg to hear her answer.