Page 52 of A Sixpence For Your Shoe

“But you’re younger than me, so I get to call you that.” He throws me half a smile and then leaves the kitchen to join the rest of the family who have moved from the dining room table to the living room. Some of them are sitting on the sofas, and others on the floor.

I smile at Vincent before sitting on the floor between his legs, resting my back against the sofa while he plays with my hair.

Vincent doesn’t interact with his kids that much for the duration of the dinner. He observes, listening to them talking amongst themselves and joking or taunting or arguing in a lighthearted manner.

Around ten in the evening he declares, “Alright, everyone out. I’m done with you.” And every single one of his kids and their spouses stand up and start packing up. Just like that.

I move to stand up too and Vincent grabs a handful of my hair, locking me in place.

“I didn’t give your permission to go anywhere, little pet.” He says quietly.

“I was just going to say goodbye.” I protest.

“No. Stay where you are.” He commands.

I wave from where I’m sitting on the floor between his legs, wishing everyone a good night and thanking them for coming as they all filter towards the door. It seems rude of me to do this but none of them appear to care. I guess they all know their father better than I do and, this kind of behavior might be normal for them.

When everyone has left, and the mansion is quiet again I shift to turn and look at Vincent. I’m kneeling on the floor facing him and resting my elbows on his knees.

“How did you enjoy your evening, little raven?” he asks, looking down at me with hungry eyes.

“It was amazing. I adore everyone. I finally got to feel what it was like to have a big family dinner. I mean, I was still a bit shy, and I hardly know them. I get on well with Celso, and I love Rufino and Verity. She’s naughty.” I giggle. “I might need more time to warm up to Mas and Tuomo.”

“Masaccio is the oldest. It’s his job to be wary of everyone and everything. Give him time. He will come around.”

Vincent reaches out and traces his hand gently over my face. “Now, tell me little pet, when am I going to meet your family?” he asks in a serious tone.

“Oh.” I respond nervously. I knew this request was coming, at some point, but I wasn’t ready for it now and I’m definitely not ready for my mom to meet Vincent just yet. I don’t want that kind of drama. Her lectures about the mafia world and all its risks. That’s her past, not mine. Not everyone is like the men she met. Sure, Vincent is dark, and he has things he’s buried in his past that I wouldn’t like - but he’s a good man. He’s good to me. He’s more than good to me.

“Oh - is not the answer I was looking for Misha.” He says sternly.

I chew at my lower lip for a second and sigh slowly. “I don’t have a family, Vincent. It’s literally just mom and me. Thereisn’t anyone to meet, really.” I shrug, trying to brush it off as uninteresting.

Vincent wraps his fingers around my throat and pulls my gaze onto his.

“I want to meet your family. Your mother. She is a big part of your world, and you are a big part of my world.” He whispers darkly.

I nod.

There is no way for me to get out of this. I guess it had to happen at some point, and I will just have to chat with my mom and warn her a little about what he did for a living. But he’s retired now so maybe that will help.

“Ok. I will arrange it. We can go for dinner somewhere.” I agree, knowing that I’m going to delay this as much as I can until I can ease my mom into the truth, as gently as possible.

“Good girl now come to bed. I’ve been watching you all night and you’ve been driving me crazy.” He smirks, standing up and pulling me to my feet with him.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Vincent

Ican’t wait anymore.

I can’t risk another moment going by without locking her into my life. She is mine, she belongs with me and to me and I have to make it official now.

Misha doesn’t know what I have planned yet, but she’ll find out soon enough.

I had originally decided to meet her mother first, to ask her mother permission as a way of tradition seeing as she does not have a father. It was my way to ease the families together - but for some reason Misha is very tentative about me meeting her mother and has been full of excuses. Maybe I’m reading into it and her mother genuinely is that busy.

Regardless - I’m not willing to wait anymore.

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