Page 67 of Always Meant To Be

Both men laugh loudly, and I grin. Leonardo wanted Holly even knowing she had a mean streak, so it's his own fault.

Leonardo flips us all the bird and sits down, and I chuckle. "Alright, I've gone over the financial part, and if we all put up the same amount, the new casino could be open within two months."

Mikhail grins. "And the profits?"

I grin back. "Well, the Russo casino profits increase daily, and it's been open for nearly ten years. That's why Miguel wanted to open one while not treading on anyone's toes."

Mikhail rubs his hands together. "And the basement?"

I turn on my laptop and show the men the design the interior designer chose. Different shades of black cover the place, from the floor to walls to the décor.

"Karma's Kink will be up and running the same day. I've already received over six hundred payments for the BDSM club, split between each account and the business one. NDAs have been signed; background checks already completed."

All men grin.

When Miguel brought this to me, I was skeptical, but after speaking to my wife about it, I decided to give it a go. The Russo family gets one percent more than the Russian Bratva and Mexican Cartel.

"What made you agree to it in the end?" Mikhail asks with curiosity, and I grin, all too happy to explain.

"Your daughter said it would be good to try out a private room. Something about me tying her up, making her wet…."

Mikhail flinches as Maxim gags, and we all laugh again until an alarm sets off on my phone.

Antonio, Leonardo, and my father stand in panic, recognizing the sound, while the other two men look at us in confusion until I mutter, "It's El's panic alarm," and we all jump up and run out of my office, knowing she’s still at the school.

"Marco is out front!" Leonardo shouts as we bang into door for the emergency stairs.

It'll take ages to get from here to the school by car.

My heart pounds, and I go up to the rooftop instead of going down.

"Romeo?" my father shouts, taking three steps at a time, footsteps following me, before I shove the door open, running to the helipad.

"Fuck, I forgot about that," Antonio states as we all run toward it and climb in. I start her up, suddenly grateful for the flight lessons my wife bought me with her paycheck two years ago, even though I chewed her out for it.

"Just concentrate on flying, Rome; I'll check the feed," Leonardo says in his mic, but I don't reply. My eyes are on the controls as I lift the helicopter, and my thoughts are only on my wife.

"Aldo is there, son, he would have gotten the alarm, she'll be okay," my father says from behind me.

Famous last words, Papa….

Twenty-Three

Elena

I smileas I set the kid's tables up, ready for tomorrow.

Today is an in-service day, which means the kids have the day off while I prepare for them to return tomorrow.

I swear I love my job, I just hope Rome will be okay with me returning after my maternity leave is up, because not returning isn't an option for me.

Teaching is everything. I love seeing their eyes light up when they get something right, and watching the wheels turn in their heads….

I grab the workbooks and place them on each desk, ready for their pop quiz, as my mind wonders about Rome. We spent the whole day in bed yesterday, only leaving for food. He gave all the staff a day off, and told his family he was unavailable, so it was just us.

I honestly don't know why he's still with me; I've been so emotional and irrational, and he's gotten the brunt of it.

My eyes tear up again, and I will them to go away as I blow out a breath.