Book 1✔️ The Mafia Entanglement

16. The one where Ken met Papa

It was Sunday morning already. I was going back home after lunch. Celia had decided to stay back for a couple of more days since she still had her mid-term break until next week.

Hours after breakfast Jack invited me to sit with him for the long-overdue talk. Honestly, I had been avoiding him. I know he cared about me. He knew about Aaron and I was afraid that he would ask. I couldn't lie that Aaron was back in the country. He had always wanted to beat the guy for leaving me. I couldn't even count how many nights I've cried on his shoulder because of Aaron.

We were seated on the porch when he handed me a glass of iced tea. I sighed and started to drink it. "I love staying here, it's so peaceful and quiet. So, how's Hannah?"

"Hannah is Hannah. Don't try to stray from our conversation. So, are you certain about this Russian guy? I just don't want you to move too fast with him. I don't want you to break, like last time. I'm asking this because I care about you. You know that, right? I'm just saying, maybe you should take a step back. Get to know his friends and his family. I don't want him to one day pack up and leave for Russia and leave you behind. Sorry if I sounded harsh to you. But I'm just looking out for you. It took months for you to forget about Aaron." He pulled me closer to his side and wrapped his arm around my shoulder in his signature brotherly manner.

"Aaron is back in the country. Amanda told me a couple of days ago. She told me just to be prepared. She was sorry, but she hated her brother so much, she hadn't even met him." I took another sip of my iced tea again and gazed through the field.

"Shit. Don't do anything to encourage him, okay? Don't take his calls. Don't meet up with him. Just stay the fuck away from him. You got it? You're annoyingly nice and I don't want him to take advantage of you. I don't like seeing you broken. Hey, don't start crying now." He patted my shoulder seeing that I started blinking, trying to keep my tears at bay.

"I always got your back. You know that, right?" He gently said and ruffled my hair just cause he's Jack. He was always good at making me laugh.

That was until I saw Max's familiar car getting close. I dreaded thinking that Ivan was going to call Max when he saw Jack beside me with his arm still on my shoulder. But I had to squint my eyes seeing that it was not Ivan in the driver's seat. The man had the wrong build, he was smaller than Ivan.

Is that Demyan? Fuck... is Ken picking me up?

"Jack, would you mind staying here? I think Max is picking me up. He was already jealous of you. Don't need to fire up the situation okay?" I pleaded with him and he just laughed at me.

"Well, this is going to be fun. I'm going to get the guys, we'll meet you out back. You need to introduce him to the family." He squeezed my shoulder before kissing the top of my head. I groaned knowing of course Jack would do the opposite of what I needed him to do. He got up and started walking to the back of the house whistling merrily.

Fuck.

I was right. Max was in the vehicle with Demyan. He was picking me up. We didn't talk much last night since he was busy with Nikko. That was like his code for his mob business. I was still annoyed at Jack when I watched my Ken get out of the SUV. He walked right in my direction, with a bag in his hand.

God. The man looked jealous AF.

"Who was that?"

"Max, good morning to you too. We should do something with your greetings." I wrapped my arms around his neck. That was when I looked up and saw a scar on his eyebrow.

"What's that? How did you get that? Is that from last night? Why didn't you tell me about it?...." He stopped my questions by pulling me in for a deep kiss. He cupped my cheek and gave me another deep moan-inducing kiss. We were panting by the time he peeled himself away from me.

"Good morning, Emilie. I will ask you again, who was the guy who had his arm around you just a couple of minutes ago?"

"That's Jack. We were discussing you. About taking it slow. He doesn't want me to get hurt again."

Shit. Shouldn't have said that.

"Again?"

"Yes, his name was Aaron. It's a long story. But in short, the bastard broke my heart and Jack helped me mend the pieces. He's like my big brother. And he treats me like I'm his annoying little sister. He's protective as hell. He's going out back to gather all the guys, seeing that you're coming to pick me up. Just be prepared, okay? No fighting. I have a feeling you already did some last night." I trailed my hand to his chest as he winced.

"What the hell, Ken! What happened to you?" I lifted his shirt and he was bruised on a couple of spots, and it looked like it hurt like hell.

"The Italians. We have some outstanding issues with them. No broken bones. No internal bleeding. I'll survive." He shrugged. "You're digging my scar, aren't you?" He winked sexily at me. I must admit that I was feeling mixed emotions seeing his injured bad-boy look.

Damn him.

"Come on, introduce me to your papa. I got him a bottle of overpriced whiskey to butter him up. I gathered from your stories that he loves his whiskey." We walked with his hand on my lower back, holding me possessively.

"Yes he does, I hope you bring enough for everyone. Come, they're all at the back."

I guided him to the back of the house as I told him about the warm welcome that he was about to receive.

"Papa, I want you to meet Maxim. Max, this is my papa Henry Dubois." I introduced both of them, then Max gave Papa his whiskey.

"Well then, you have to call me Henry when you bring me fine whiskey like this." He laughed and slapped Max's shoulder hard. I know Papa was testing his pain resistance. But he held it in, I just hope that he was not injured, on that part.

"Right then Max, this is Jack, Sam, and Danny. Guys this is Maxim. Now, play nice while I get him something to drink, okay?" I left him on his own to mingle.

Hey, he asked for it. I already told him he could pick me up and I'll introduce him to Papa next time. But no... he had to get all possessive and mark his territory.

Men!

I decided to let them have their fun with Max. I went to my room and finished packing up my stuff, then gave it to Demyan for him to put in the car.

I got back with our beers thirty minutes later only to see that they circled themselves around Max, laughing, pouring drinks, and enjoying the fine whiskey around each other. I saw Ivan and decided to talk to him.

"I thought you went back home already? Am I driving back with you then? Cause I just gave my bag to Demyan."

"No, Madame. I just came cause Boss asked me to bring more whiskey here. And you're to drive back with him. He told me to join Nikko after dropping the whiskey. So, until tomorrow, Madame." He gave me a nod and dismissed himself.

Okay then...I could see that Ken was clearly comfortable drinking his way into the family.

*****

Ken: This pack of cowboys can surely give a back slap. I'll need to be tended to tonight Barbie.

Barbie: You did invite yourself. And yes, I will tend those wounds. You still have more explaining to do. 😤