Page 75 of Lucian

Now, Jordyn was curious. “Was it weird for you, raising him?”

“Lucian? Christo, no. That was a gift to me, Jordyn. At eight-years-old, Lucian was dying to find what he’d lost, and so was I. John’s death was the first real tragedy I’d experienced because of living the way of the Cosa Nostra. It reminded me no one was safe, and it didn’t matter how important or loved you were by the people around you.”

Jordyn’s brow furrowed. “Eight?”

“Hmm, sì. I suppose that’s why it’s easier for Lucian than it is with my other boys to separate me as their father from me as their boss when they need to. We didn’t have him from the time he was a baby. He already knew who his mother and father were, but he was open to having another pair to love.”

“Cecelia said his parents died when he was six.”

Again, Jordyn was reminded of the two year gap Lucian didn’t explain.

Antony cleared his throat, eyeing her at the end of the table. “They did, Jordyn.”

“But … what happened for two years? Was he in the system?”

“No, he wasn’t.” Antony stood from the table, fixing his jacket as he did so. “I assumed if he told you about his biological parents, that he would have explained the rest, too. If he hasn’t, I shouldn’t be the one to tell you. That’s Lucian’s story, and it even now, it hurts him a great deal. Sometimes he even dreams of it. Does he still walk the halls at night?”

“More often than I like. I thought it was just his nature, being busy like he is.”

“No, it’s his dreams. He’s done it since he was a child, but he doesn’t like to admit it. And I’ve said too much as it is.” Antony chuckled, but it didn’t sound true. “Anyway, about your day.”

“What about it?”

“Well, I was wondering if you’d want to spend it with me.”

Jordyn’s eyes widened, something she hadn’t expected to feel bubbling up in her chest. Gratitude. Was this Antony’s way of welcoming her? “What does this day involve?”

“I’m a very busy man, Jordyn. It involves a lot. Frankly, I could use your help, which is why I’m here this morning. I believe you can use mine, as well.”

“How so?”

“I’m in desperate need of someone I can trust to help mediate my day to day things. Often times, my legitimate business mixes with my other life, and it sometimes becomes … difficult to manage. Lucian might be happy and fine with running his work from his restaurant because he’s never taken on more than he couldn’t handle himself, but I can’t quite say the same. Marcello Industries is a lot like another child for me, in a way. Assistants rarely last longer than a few months working under me.”

Jordyn gaped at the man. “Are you offering me a job?”

“Something like that. It won’t be the normal nine-to-five. It’ll be more for private things and such.”

The conversation she had with Lucian the week before after their fight and her trip to Brooklyn came to mind instantly. He’d been the one to admit she needed to get back into a more normal routine, one that worked for her. Especially when it came to her life and feeling like she was doing something.

Even so, Jordyn didn’t like the thought of this being put on the table because someone, specifically Lucian, requested it. “Did he ask you to do this?”

Antony cocked a brow. “My son?”

“Who else? Yes, I meant Lucian. Did he ask you to do this?”

Jordyn was rewarded with another one of Antony’s laughs that took her off guard. “Absolutely not, though I did tell him about my plans last night.”

Jordyn was even more confused. “Then why? It’s not like I have experience with this sort of thing. I’m sure you could find someone far more qualified than me.”

“Cecelia, actually. My wife is incredibly difficult when she wants to be, Jordyn. I can’t adequately explain how particular she is. I love her, and she’s certainly the better half between us. Trust that she knows how long it’s been since I have had someone keeping track of my personal affairs and managing my time and schedules. When she starts to complain, I tend to listen. It’s easier.”

“And?” Jordyn pressed.

“And I argued I didn’t have someone I could trust for more sensitive things. She mentioned you.”

“Again, I don’t have the experience for this.”

“You will,” Antony assured. “We all learn somehow. This works to both of our benefits, considering you still need to be safely watched until the mess with the MC blows over, and you’re in desperate need of something that feels like yours. I, on the other hand, need to be managed like the wanted man I am under someone who doesn’t make me want to kill them. I’m sure you can handle it.”