Eight
DAVID
AFTER
“I don’t like the way those boys…no, those men, are looking at River.
” Lisa has been by my side the entire evening as we shook hands, reminded everyone of our existence within the family, and reduced ourselves to meaningless small talk.
I refuse to let her out of my sight and that goes double for River.
I follow my wife’s line of sight as it lands on a group of three men standing as tall and proud as their fathers before them. There’s no mistaking who they are.
The heirs of Manhattan.
They are exactly where I was eighteen years ago and, from the looks on their stony, proud faces, the last thing they want is to give it all up.
Without drawing too much attention to us, at least no more than we already have, I step in front of River and envelop her in my arms, shielding her from their hungry stares. Lisa’s smile is brighter than the full moon and bathes me in warmth.
“Thought I’d recognized the prodigal son.” It’s been eighteen years but there’s no mistaking the slight accent and the condescending tone I’d hoped to never hear again. Turning, I confirm my guess.
Nikos Kastellanos hasn’t changed in the slightest. Older, yes, but his Mediterranean descent is visible in every inch of his tanned skin and the onyx hue of his hair and lashes.
“Wish you hadn’t.” What was supposed to come out as a murmur is loud enough for everyone around me to hear.
“Ah, I see you’re still an asshole. Glad we don’t do business together or else that could get awkward.
” Pushing my girls slightly behind me to protect them as much as I possibly can, I don’t miss his leering gaze sizing up River.
“Looks like you two make beautiful babies together. What is she, eighteen?” I don’t answer because I’m afraid of what I’ll say to him.
More than that, I’m afraid I’ll fucking kill him.
“Not quite, perv.” A small chuckle escapes me as River answers and I don’t miss Lisa’s pinch to my side. I know this is serious. Hell, Lisa almost got irrevocably hurt by this monster, but I can’t help being proud of my daughter.
“Well, you look like you are, that’s good enough for me.” The only reason I’m not beating the fuck out of him right now is because I know it’s exactly what he wants. He’s baiting me, trying to push me into reacting so he can…what? Win? Embarrass me? What a fucking loser.
River steps away from me and up to Nikos, but before she can get any closer, Lisa pulls her back.
“Get out of my face, Nikos. Remember the last time you messed with my girl? You almost went home in a body bag. I don’t mind a reenactment.” Nikos brings a hand to his throat like he’s reliving the beat down I gave him all those years ago, but then his haughty demeanor returns.
“You always were a sore loser, David. I suppose me being your father’s second in command has been eating at you, hasn’t it?
That why you don’t come around much?” He slides his hands into his tux pockets, flashing a million dollar smile at River, and I want to beat the fuck out of him all over again.
“Tell me something, Nikos. Do you still drive flashy cars to make up for your small dick syndrome?” At Lisa’s words, I cover my mouth with the back of my hand and try my best not to burst out laughing.
River? Not so much. Her laughter is bold and beautiful and reminds me everyday that leaving this life was the best decision I ever made.
With a snort to hide his bruised ego, Nikos sneers at us before shaking his head and finally walking away.
“Wow, Mom. What happened to ‘be kind’?”
Lisa takes a sip of her champagne and winks at River. “Someone wise told me that respect is earned and that man hasn’t earned a damn thing in his pathetic life.”
“Okay, so, this was…boring. Can we go home, please? Ev and Kai were planning on pranking Freya and I want to know how it went.”
“We’ll go soon, Ladybug. I just need to speak to your grandparents before we do.”
“While you do that, River and I will go to the ladies’ room so we don’t have to stop on the way back home,” Lisa says as she looks around, clearly trying to remember where the bathrooms are in this mammoth of a home.
Leaning down, I press my lips to her ear and whisper, “Right behind you, Precious.” Her hands latch onto my lapels and I feel her knowing shiver as it runs across her skin. “Might bring back some memories.”
“I’m standing right here and I can practically feel your sexual chemistry traumatizing me.
” River’s words are caustic, almost annoyed, but when I slide my gaze to her, she can’t hide the upcurve of her smile and pride in her eyes.
We have never hidden our love from each other because what Lisa and I have is pure and although some would say it’s rare, we disagree.
Most people are afraid to put their feelings on the cutting board and chase the one person that makes them whole, so they often settle for a lesser flame.
It’s a shame, really, because a love like ours should be celebrated every day of every week.
A love like ours should be the norm. Maybe then people would be too busy enjoying their lives to create Hell for others.
Speaking of the devil’s home.
“Go,” I mock-whisper so the girls don’t have to subject themselves to the next five, probably torturous, minutes.
“Father. It’s a lovely party but with the weather outside only getting worse, it’s time we head home.” I have no fucking clue what the weather is like outside but it sounds like a legitimate excuse.
“River would make a suitable wife for one of the heirs, don’t you think?” My spine turns to steel at that statement, my brain on immediate alert, searching for ways to leave the country without any of them knowing.
“No, I don’t. She’s seventeen, hasn’t even graduated high school yet, Dad.
Those are grown-ass men and this whole fucking spectacle is disgusting.
” My glare lands on one of the men across the room.
As my eyes narrow, I can feel my body tense even more, my teeth grinding together and my nails about to break the skin of my palms. Each of the young men is leaning in some way against the bar with a drink in one hand and a stunning woman at their sides.
I’m not sure what their names are, they were so young when I bolted, but the one with unmistakable gray eyes standing closest to us is the one who frightens me the most. I don’t need to know his name to recognize his lineage.
If he wants something, he will turn over every inch of land until he finds it. And once he owns it, he will inevitably destroy it.
Over my dead body will that man ever touch my River.
“Don’t be so fucking dramatic. We’d obviously wait for her to go to college.” My glare slices to my father’s almost bored expression, forgetting all about the heir who wants my daughter.
“It’s not going to happen. I will come to your fucking parties and pretend I’m still your heir or whatever but I will not allow my child to be subjected to this world longer than absolutely necessary.” My fists are clenched as I spit my venom at my father.
Leaning in close enough for me to smell the bourbon on his breath, he places a menacing hand on my cheek and whispers in my ear. To anyone else, we look the perfect part of a father and son having an intimate moment.
If only they could hear his threats.
“It was the deal we made, Son. Your freedom for your first child. The consequences of you backing out of this deal are much worse than you could ever imagine.” Tapping my cheek and plastering a fake smile on his face, he steps back.
His eyes, however, are like daggers to the heart.
“But like I said, we’ll wait for her to be of age and with an acceptable education.
No man in this room wants to be tied to an ignorant hippie. ”
I’m fuming, his words fuel to my raging inferno.
“I hardly think insulting me and my family is the best way to convince me.” We are standing close again, too close for propriety. I’m protecting what’s mine and he’s trying, as usual, to take everything I love away from me.
“It’s not an insult if it’s true, Son.” His voice lowers, his eyes boring into me like he’s trying to get a message through, no matter the cost. “David, these people don’t fuck around. If you love your girls, you better play nice.”
I realize it’s now or never. Either I sever our ties now and forever as I put everything in place to protect my children, or this charade will never end. Worse, they’ll take River away as the price for my insubordination.
“It’s over. Done. Find someone else to take over your empire because me and my family are officially out of the picture.” We stare, unwavering, at each other. I don’t back down and my father has too many guests to entertain to be spending too much time talking to me on a sensitive subject.
He nods and pats me on the cheek like a thinly veiled threat before he casually makes his way back to the throng of guests hungry for his attention.
“Fuck.” The one word is just a breath sliding from between my lips, but the weight of it is suffocating.
“Okay, we’re ready.” Jumping back before turning to face my wife, I do my best to shake off the dread that is causing my skin to bead with sweat.
“Great, let’s get out of here.”
“Dad, who’s that?” Grabbing Lisa’s hand, I turn to River then follow her line of sight, landing on no other than Gray Eyes, who is now smiling like a lion ready to pounce on his gazelle. Motherfucker.
“A psychotic killer. Let’s go.”
River’s eyes are immediately on me, shock written on every line of her flawless face. “What?”
“I’m kidding, he’s just one of your grandmother’s friends’ sons. Nobody important.” My brain adds a yet without my permission.
“Oh, wow. I didn’t think you had that kind of violent response in you.” We all chuckle but I’m just faking it until I make it.