Zac leans and stands by his stove. “This baby I had special made. An eight burner, two oven stainless steel masterpiece.”

“She is a beauty. Let’s go.”

I nod, sliding my hands in my pocket, wondering if I would ever have a house that feels like a home.

As we walk inside Zac’s study, I’m enveloped by its warm welcoming atmosphere. Unlike my library there are books piled on his desk and floor. His sage green shelves have books stuck haphazardly in them.

“Can I smoke in here?” I ask.

“I do. That’s why I left the sliding door.” Zac gestures to the doors on the other side of the room.

I take off my jacket and throw it on a beige chair and I sat on another one in front of his desk. My phone slips out of my pants creating a thud on the floor.

I reach down and place it on Zac’s intricately designed cherry oak table.

“Talk,” Zac says.

I wanted to tell him so much. I always tell him about my dad, but the legal parts. Never about the shadows.

“Dad got in an accident; his breaks were cut. He is currently in a coma.” Saying it out loud hurts my heart because it makes it real.

“Fudge man sorry to hear that. He can’t get any like treatment to help?”

Treatment, I was willing to pay billions to keep my father alive. “No treatment. He’s slipping slowly, waiting on death.”

“Shit, so what happens now? You already own Oceania Corp.”

I swallow, deciding to take a leap of faith, I speak. “My dad is the head Demopoulos family.”

“Okay, and if he dies you as his first born becomes his heir,” Zac says it like was a simple matter.

“Mafia, my dad is the head of Demopoulos family. If he dies, I take his place.” I lean back into the chair and wait for Zac response.

“Fudge!” Zac screams.

“Why the fuck are you saying fudge?” I scratch around my neck in wonder.

Zac drags his hand down his face, “Because I have a six-year-old terrorist who heard me say fuck and curse a boy in class for being mean to Nik.”

“I saw them playing. Sage made you change it to fudge?”

Zac nods. “No, her teacher did.”

“Who are you man?” I chuckle.

“Happily married man and a dad,” Zac beams as he leans leather chair and rocks.

I nod, because I understood.

“So, where does that leave you now?” Zac queries.

“The law of the family is to take over I must have a one heir male and married,” I reply.

“To ensure a continuation of power,” Zac states, his eyebrows draw together.

“Yes.” My foot begins to bounce up on the spot as anxiety spreads slowly through out.

“Hence you are getting married to Paige.”