Page 116 of Mafie Queen

I shrug. “That would be less than convenient. I can answer an email when I have the time. And with a date provided in the text, it is easily added to our calendars. It is efficient.”

Evie looks up at me, confusion still in her gaze. Eventually, she drops her face and snuggles into my chest instead. Maybe it is because she was raised by Adrik or something, but an email is a perfectly normal way to schedule dinner.

???

When we arrive at dinner the next evening, Evie has a huge smile on her face. Nessa and Laney are there along with Havoc and Arrow. It is good to see how well Arrow is recovering.

After dinner, everyone seems to fade out, but my eye catches on my father as Nessa excuses herself. He grabs her hand and pulls her back to plant a kiss on her cheek. I figured something may be going on between them. However, I did not expect it to be serious enough for him to make gestures like that in front of anyone.

Nessa’s face turns red, her eyes flitting to mine. I keep my expression neutral, trying not to give away that I want to cut my father’s dick off for daring to kiss another woman while the anniversary of his dead wife is only days away.

But I set the thought aside when I see how he smiles at her. It is a look I have not seen him wear since the night before my mother died. He looks happy. Maybe even…calm?

No, that cannot be. I have never been good at reading emotions, so I decide to simply let it all go for the moment in favor of figuring out what my father wanted to discuss this evening.

Evie is sitting by my side next to my father with Lev and Damien across from us. She gives him a warm smile, as if she knows something the rest of us do not. From how much those girls lock themselves in their rooms to talk, it is not all that surprising.

Before I can go asking questions, my father chimes in.

“I must admit, as lovely as that dinner was, I invited you all here for a few other reasons.”

I nod, having expected this. What I did not expect though was for my father to appear so damn happy.Did he have too much to drink or something?

“First, I want to congratulate you all on your union. There has been a lot happening since then, and I never felt like I got the chance to say it properly.” His hand reaches out to cover Evie’s.

“I am truly happy for you, my dear.”

“Thank you, Boris.” She turns her hand over and squeezes his.

“Now, we all need to discuss the Bratva.”

My head tilts slightly. “What about it?”

“Did something else happen?” Damien asks. “Do I need to go and torture someone to make a point? Please tell me someone is locked up downstairs. My hands haven’t tasted blood in days.”

My father chuckles, legitimately chuckles. Damien’s worried gaze flicks to mine, and he mouths ‘What the fuck’.

I raise my brows and shake my head. I have no fucking clue.

“No, no, no. You have left a very good impression of who is not to be messed with among us. Thank you for offering your services though. Tonight, we need to talk about me stepping down.”

My mouth gapes open before I can stop it. I am not one for surprises. I make it a point of knowing and keeping tabs on as much as possible so that I do not get blindsided.But this?

I blink a few times, sure I was just hit by a train and that my father did not talk about handing over his position at such a young age. We were supposed to have five or six years after the university of further training with him.

“What?” I ask. Everyone’s jaws seem to have hit the floor around me.

“This is all becoming too much, and I have to admit something to you. I must say, I was keeping this to myself, but I think it is time I brought you all up to speed.”

Just then, Evie chimes in. “What could you possibly have been keeping from us?”

She sounds almost hurt, and it makes me want to hit my father. Thankfully, he eases her worry before I can make a move.

“It is not something I was allowed to share until I chose to step down. However, I think it is time. I am the current leader of The Mafie Society.”

I think I hear Evie gasp and Damien starts laughing, but none of it registers. Instead, I feel pulled back in time where things start to click together.

Right before my mother died, it felt like something shifted. She was supporting him through what she called a ‘big change’, and I just assumed it had to do with the Bratva. But he suddenly became unreachable.

---