Page 27 of Gangster's Empire: Leeza & Havel

She beamed up at him. “It’s good to see you too, grandson.”

He placed a hand at Leeza’s back and urged her forward. “You remember Leeza Koba?”

Leeza couldn’t help the flush that stole up her throat and heated her face. She stood stiffly, waiting for Babi’s condemnation, but it didn’t come. Instead, Babi took her hands. “As beautiful as ever, child. If this young man is yours,” Babi smiled down at Kris, “then I see motherhood suits you very much.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Tsotsarov.” Leeza bent to kiss the other woman’s cheeks.

“Call me Babi,” she insisted.

“Babi,” Leeza said softly, smiling back.

“Babi!” Kris yelled suddenly, startling them. “Babi! Babi!”

Babi grinned and said, “Yes, I am Babi. Would you like a treat, child?”

Treat! Kris signed excitedly.

“What do you say?” Leeza reminded her son.

Yes, please, I would like a treat from B-A-B-I, he signed dutifully, his eyes following the ceiling fan.

Havel translated for his grandmother. “He said yes, please.”

“Excellent.” Babi turned to the woman who had answered the door. “Anne, please fix a plate of snacks and some cold drinks for my guests.”

They sat and made idle conversation while Anne prepared a platter with sandwiches, biscuits, and pastries. After they had been served, Havel startled Leeza as he took her hand.

“We would like to ask your blessing for our union,” he said.

Leeza’s heart dropped into her stomach. Somehow telling Babi about his crazy plan made it too real.

Babi frowned. “But where is the child’s father?”

“Dead,” Havel said flatly.

Leeza sucked in a breath at his revelation. It couldn’t be true. Why wouldn’t he have told her when they were talking about her divorce? Yet, he seemed sincere. Maybe Adam really was dead.

She examined her feelings surrounding her ex-husband’s fate and decided she didn’t have any. It didn’t matter to her if he was alive or dead.

“The child will need another father,” Babi mused, her gaze on Kris who was sitting on the rug playing with a wooden puzzle, swiftly placing each piece exactly where it belonged without hesitation. “You will make a good father to the díte.”

“Kris,” Havel corrected gently. “His name is Kristoph Koba, but we call him Kris.”

“You love this young one,” Babi asked, pride in her voice.

“Yes,” Havel said without hesitation.

For a few seconds Leeza couldn’t breathe. Did he really love her son? Or was he just saying he did so his grandmother would capitulate to the idea of Havel marrying a woman who’d been married before? Though Babi was a kind woman, she held old-fashioned views. Leeza may have fit her idea of a bride once, but it was doubtful she did now.

Babi surprised Leeza by leaning forward and cupping her cheeks between wrinkled, age-spotted hands. “I am pleased to invite you and your son to our family. My Havel has always pined for you. It is well that you will be with him, though, I am sorry to hear of your late husband’s passing.”

“Thank you,” Leeza breathed. She kept the rest of her thoughts to herself, but her mind was racing with them. Thoughts like, don’t be sorry, no one is happier that my late husband is dead than me. Or… I’m not actually sure if he’s dead, but if he is, there’s a good possibility it was your grandson who ushered him to the grave.

“I’ll get the ring.” Babi pushed herself out of her chair, reaching for her walker. She made her way slowly from the room.

Alarmed, Leeza stood too. “Wait, what ring?”

Havel gripped Leeza’s wrist and forced her back into her seat. “The reason we came.”

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