Page 42 of His to Have
Not just any Donatelli operation, butmyoperation. I wasn’t some low-level runner, or rising foot soldier. I wastheeDonatelli. The one calling the shots. The boss. Heir to this entire empire.
She pissed a lot of people off with that hit, including the Colombians. They didn’t take kindly to having their operations disrupted, and it nearly sparked a war between our family and theirs. I had to work overtime to get our shit back, and prove I could handle her treachery. By the time I brought order between my family and our connect in Colombia, I’d wiped out Ariah’sentire crew. Including her. Jersey was one of the reasons I was so well-respected and feared. I’d put in the work. But it still taught me a valuable lesson — don’t let these bitches get too comfortable.
While Stephanie made sure the events of Jersey never touched me, I knew she was right about Isabella. She had to be handled with finesse. She wouldn’t be able to sweep the tension under the rug as easily this time. Isabella was not only family-adjacent, but she was also cunning and observant.
“Teo?” Stephanie’s voice snapped me back to the moment.
“Yeah, I hear you.”
“Good. There is too much on the line. You can’t go around beefing with Gianni’s daughter. And you definitely can’t dispose of her... Teo.” Her voice was closer now and pointed. “Let me deal with Miss Isabella, and you keep your lil’ attack dog off her.”
I let out a short laugh. “Keem’s just doing what he does best, Steph.”
“Well between you and him, y’all are going to start a war. Just let me handle her and you focus on the wedding.”
Grabbing a towel from the bench, I wiped down my face and neck, letting her words settle over me.
“Speaking of, I need you and Ayanna in my office this week. We’ve got a few things to go over—the new boutique paperwork, prenup discussions, and other family business.”
I sighed, tossing the towel aside. “Can it wait until next week after the wedding, and possibly after the honeymoon?”
“Afraid not. You need to protect your assets, Teo,” she said on an exasperated sigh, because she had been trying to push this prenup shit on me since I bought Yanna her boutique, and announced the wedding was moving up. I knew she was only doing her job, protecting the Donatelli name, the empire, and the legacy. But she could do that without insulting my futurewife. I hadn’t asked for a prenup. It was never agreed upon. And I wasn’t about to insult Ayanna with some bullshit.
“No, to the prenup.”
“Teo,” she sighed, but I cut her off.
“No. You can do all the other shit, but we aren’t doing that.”
Stephanie exhaled sharply, and I could practically see her pinching the bridge of her nose through the phone. “You’re playing with fire, Teo. This isn’t about insulting Ayanna—it’s about protecting what’s yours. The empire your family has built, and the wealth you have accumulated.”
“I understand your concerns, Steph, but I’m not budging on this. Ayanna is mine, and I will protect her just as strongly as I protect the family legacy. She’s not a threat to my assets; she’s a part of them now. It’s best that you trust me on this. You handle the other paperwork, and I’ll handle my wife.”
Stephanie was silent for a beat, and I could tell she was weighing whether to press the issue. “Fine,” she finally said, her tone even.
She wanted to press but knew better than to keep pushing. She was aware that I didn’t tolerate any disrespect toward Yanna...ever. And going back and forth with me about this would only piss me off.
“Call to let me know what day you plan on stopping by. I’ll be sure to have the deed to the boutique and home ready for both of your signatures.”
I nodded, even though she couldn’t see it. “Alright.”
“I’ll see you both later. Oh, and Teo—”
But her voice faded into background noise as my focus shifted. Ayanna had just walked past the gym, a streak of red. It was quick, but not so fast that I didn’t notice her sneaking a glance inside. Her steps slowed, just enough to let her eyes crawl down my body. I caught the hint of approval in her gaze as it lingered on my bare chest, tattoos, and sweat-slicked skin. When her lipsparted, I couldn’t help but smirk. She tried to keep it moving, but I quickly strolled across the room until I caught up with her.
“Teo?” Stephanie’s voice snapped me back to our conversation.
“Steph, Yanna and I will see you later.” I ended the call without waiting for her reply. My attention was already fixed on Ayanna’s flushed face.
Ayanna glanced up at me, trying—and failing—to look unaffected. Her eyes stayed fixed on my face. She was fighting for her life, trying not to let her eyes drift down my torso.
“So… where are we off to this morning?” I asked.
“I wasn’t aware we had plans.” She folded her arms over her chest, as she exaggerated the word we.
My smirk deepened. “Well… we do. You had breakfast yet?”
“Not yet.”
