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“Not literally,” I said, snorting into my coffee. “But you never know.” I shrugged, raising a shoulder. “If someone needs a good beating, your boys will come in handy.”
I exhaled out a long breath as he stared at me with an incredulous look. “Don’t worry too much about it, Nick. I’ll ask for help only when I’m out of all options. I need to protect my image too. Being close to a mafia kingpin won’t help with that.”
Civella stayed quiet and drank his coffee.
I was lost in my own thoughts too when the sound of approaching footsteps made me look up.
Irene ran toward us with a tray in her hand. Noah, Corey, and Caleb walked behind her, easily keeping up pace with her small legs.
“Uncle Nick!” Irene shouted with a gleeful smile. “I made apple jelly tarts and buttercream pastries.” She shoved the tray on his lap. “Try one.”
Nick stared at the misshapen tarts on the tray and then, looked up at the three hulking men behind his niece.
I bit my lip to stop the chuckles bubbling up from inside me.
Irene was a sweet child but she had these dark, cruel men in her power.
Nick picked up one of the tarts and bit into it. “Very nice,” he said, trying to smile. “Very sweet, darling. Just like you.” He pinched her cheek.
“Now, you try one.” Irene walked over to me and placed the tray on my lap.
I picked up a tart too.
My teeth started aching from the amount of sugar they’d added into the apple jelly as well as the tart shell. I was sure my expression was just as awkward as Nick’s as I did my best to pretend to enjoy them.
“We made the filling from scratch,” Corey stated, looking ridiculously proud of himself. “I can’t believe how good it turned out to be.” He high-fived Caleb who had an identical prideful grin on his face.
Nick glanced at me with an amused look.
“Would you like to stay with us for a few more days, Irene?” I asked.
She looked toward her uncle and slowly stepped up to him. Laying her small hands on his lap, she stared up at him with pleading eyes. “Can I please stay, Uncle Nick?”
“Will you be a good girl and listen to them?”
“Yes,” she replied, looking deadly serious.
“Then, I guess you could stay with them longer.”
“Yay!” Irene’s cheerful shout sent warmth shooting through me. She went up on his lap and hugged him around the neck. “Thank you, Uncle Nick. You’re the best.”
Noah, Caleb, and Corey grinned at each other, visibly happy to have Irene stay with them a little longer.
Nick caught my gaze. “Let’s see how she adjusts here,” he said in a grim tone. “As for the rest, you’ll be able to start work on those properties within a week’s time.”
I nearly collapsed against the couch from the relief and happiness that spread through me. Not only was Irene staying with us longer, but Amhurst Co. was also finally being rescued from hitting a dead end.
Irene came over to me and raised her arms.
Picking her up, I made her sit on my lap and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, sweetheart.”
She didn’t even know why I thanked her but she still smiled warmly at me and hugged me.
34
Camilla
Irene’s chest rose and fell in a deep, rhythmic pattern. Her eyes stayed closed as she snoozed softly.
