“Ohh!” the four men said together.
“She’s a feisty one,” Miguel said, lifting his glass once again.
“And very beautiful,” Michael added.
“And she’s all mine,” I said then grinned.
“Let’s leave the lovebirds alone,” Dominick stated.
“I’m not trying to interrupt,” she insisted.
“Nonsense. The boys can amuse themselves,” I said in a dark and husky tone.
“Absolutely,” Miguel said with exuberance, ushering them out, winking before walking away
She inched closer, looking even more beautiful than when I’d left her earlier that morning. “Business today?”
“Just catching up.”
“Uh-huh. Interesting how the five princes, sons of the infamous mafia leaders have developed a friendship. Something I might use to blackmail you.” Laughing, she stepped just out of my reach.
I was surprised but only to a point. She was one observant and beautiful lady.
My woman.
All mine.
“And you know I’ll turn you over my knee.” It was good to laugh.
“Not a chance,” she whispered, her expression mischievous as she gazed down the length of me.
Dear God, my cock was aching, longing to be inside of her. “Come here, my sweet.”
“What was so important you needed to see me now? I’m supposed to be getting married in thirty minutes. This brooding Russian I’m marrying is very impatient.”
I finally eased my drink onto the desk, moving closer until I was able to hold her arms. “Do you remember we talked about having no secrets?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then you need to read something before the ceremony.”
Her brows furrowed as she looked at me. “O-kay. You make me nervous.”
“This is important.”
She nodded and glanced at what was in my hands, taking a deep breath.
The envelope was similar to the one I’d given her before, but inside held a completely new finding. She took her time peeling the flap and pulling out the papers. After a few seconds, she walked toward the window, flipping the pages several times then folding the paperwork. When she remained quiet, I had no idea what to think.
“Peter knew all along,” she half whispered. “The asshole.”
“Yes, as well as Wallace Greenbriar. When your parents were killed, everything changed, Peter making it very easy for the attorney to lose his honor. Mr. Greenbriar was the one who switched the adoption papers, making it look like you were the one who’d been adopted instead of Peter.”
She shook her head then let out a deep sigh. “I think I always knew, but there’d been no way to prove it. While I feel a certain level of pity for Peter, he had every opportunity to change his life, not to follow such a destructive path.”
“Yes. While he had a difficult life before coming here, one he simply couldn’t get over, he had much more than most have in this country. I will never forgive him, Willow.”
“I’m not asking you to.” I could see a hint of sadness in her eyes, but the emotion quickly dissipated. She was so strong, so damn brave. “And neither will I.”
“When you were born, he thought for certain that you’d take his place. From what I understand, your father always wanted Peter to be involved with his company, just not in the way it turned out. Your parents were honorable and wanted the best for both of you.”
“What’s going to happen to Peter now?”
“A lengthy prison term is likely.” I wasn’t going to tell her that Peter had already received death threats. While I’d vowed to try to protect him, Bratvas always had a way of finding their mark and eliminating a threat. The czar couldn’t allow his indiscretions to go unpunished.
Personally, after what he’d done to Willow, I didn’t give a shit about what happened to him.
“And what about the export company?” She walked closer, searching my eyes.
“It’s all yours now to do with what you’d like, including a hefty portion of its worth.” In truth, she was a very wealthy woman.
“I want the business to go back to what my parents intended.”
I cupped her face, brushing my thumb across her cheek. “That’s your decision, not mine, and there will be no interference.”
She leaned against me, squeezing my arm. “I do love you. I hope you know that. I also love Dimitri.”
I had difficulty finding the right words. “You’re going to make a beautiful mother.”