Page 82 of Contract of a Billionaire
I didn’t bother answering her. She could go ask her parents about the details. All I cared about was that Autumn and Kol were with me.
Her dark eyes, unlike her daughter’s, darted over the horizon. It took a second before she returned her eyes to me. “Listen to me, Alessandro Russo.” I stiffened at her warning. Nobody ever fucking dared to warn me. “I left that life behind. But if you make my daughter cry again, or my grandson for that matter, I won’t hesitate to use the skills my father taught me one last time.”
My lips tugged up. I liked Autumn’s mother. “Duly noted.”
Her husband showed up, his expression dark. I was surprised it took him that long. But then his wife wasn’t exactly helpless. He didn’t look happy either. Too fucking bad. Autumn was my woman and that little boy was my son.
Jesus, it’d take a while to get used to saying that. My son.
Yet, each time I thought about it a smile touched my lips and my chest grew full. I only found out about him and already, I’d die for him. For both of them.
But it’d be best if Autumn didn’t know that. She might expedite my death.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Autumn’s father barked. Okay, that didn’t take long at all.
“Derek, that’s not how we treat guests,” his wife scolded him. Apparently, she had forgotten that mere seconds ago she herself threatened me.
“Mr. Corbin, I’m here to take Autumn home.”
“Don’t you Mr. Corbin me, Russo!” he gritted. I never knew the even tempered man had the attitude in him. “She is home.” He didn’t wait for my answer. “Where are you taking my daughter and my grandson?”
“To my place,” I told him calmly. “They’ll be safe there and you can visit anytime you wish. And they can visit you anytime they wish.”
“This is their home,” he snapped.
“Their home is with me,” I said coldly. “And I won’t hesitate to makeanyonethat tries to take them from me pay.”
It sounded like a threat. To her parents. The truth was, I’d never hurt them because Autumn loved them so much. But a little incentive never hurt anyone.
“It was bound to happen eventually,” Mrs. Corbin mumbled, then took her husband’s hand and patted it gently. They shared a look, silent understanding passing between them. “He hurts us, we hurt him. It doesn’t really matter. As long as Autumn has decided and agreed to go with him, we have to respect it. But if he makes her cry, then we take him out.”
Jesus Christ. Was that how a normal marriage looked?
I wouldn’t fucking know. I hadn’t seen a single normal relationship in my entire goddamn life. The only normalcy in my life was that short period with Autumn.
“You better be good to her,” Autumn’s father warned quietly. “To her and Kol.” Or else hung in the air. I couldn’t blame him and that made me respect him more. “If I see my daughter cry, I’ll come after you, Russo. I don’t care who your friends are.”
My lips tugged up. Twice in less than five minutes. That must be a record. “Noted, Mr. Corbin.”
Autumn showed up behind her parents with Kol in her arms and a large overnight bag. Kol’s alert eyes studied me curiously. My chest swelled with so many emotions. I feared I’d become a fucking pussy, and I couldn’t give two fucks.
He was my kid. My son. And he was fucking perfect. As he studied me, I studied him. He had his mother’s hair but definitely my eyes. My face too. The few photos I’d seen of myself when I was a kid, Kol was my spitting image.
“Hello, Kol,” I said, keeping my voice low. My own father always roared and I fucking hated it. “I’m Alessio.”
“Hi. You Maman’s friend?”
I swallowed. Good God, was it normal to feel so emotional? He didn’t seem sleepy. It was only seven at night. I thought it was a bit early for bedtime, not that I knew much about kids.
“Yes, I’m your Maman’s friend,” I confirmed. My eyes darted to Autumn who was watching us with a guarded expression. Her eyes shimmered and she chewed on her bottom lip. As if she attempted to keep herself together.
I reached for the straps of Autumn’s shoulder bag and felt a tremble in my hand. My fucking hand shook from the need to touch my son. I shut it down fast and slid the large overnight bag off Autumn’s shoulder.
“Need me to grab anything else?” I asked her, keeping my eyes on Kol.
“Our travel bags are still packed,” she murmured. “I want to leave some stuff here.”
The pulse in her neck beat wildly and I wondered if she was already contemplating an escape. Bitter amusement filled me. She hadn’t even spent one night with me and she already planned on running.
