Chapter 39

I knew that Akio asking to meet with Alexi and me could only mean one thing—he had an insane plan. And I was right.

“Think about it. Laney’s parents have said so many times they want grandchildren to spoil, and with Laney’s sister refusing to have kids just like Laney, they will love this.”

Akio gives me these puppy dogs eyes that work way too well. I glance at Alexi who actually seems to be thinking about this.

“So what? We move all the kids to Russia, try to get the few adopted who have asked for it, then let the rest just grow up in the underworld?” I say in exasperation, throwing my hands in the air.

“Who said anything about moving them to Russia?” Akio asks. “This is Boris, Nessa, and Cillian’s home now. Especially with Aiden being buried here. I think we should set up a place that is connected to the gym where they can live and make their space their own, but everyone stays here.”

“What about the mafia?” Alexi questions and I wave my hand towards him in agreement.

“No one is stopping you from going back home,” Akio adds. “Once Ronan is taken care of, the children will all be safe. We won’t need to all stay out here. It is a two-hour flight to see each other, and I’m sure they will come back and forth, which is why it’s important to have people who stay with the kids. People we trust.”

He’s got us there. Laney’s parents can offer them so much love and comfort while being stable.

“Are we sure this is what they want?”

Akio nods. “I already talked to them about it and they agreed.”

“And you want me to…what? Stay here with them too?”

I don’t understand how he came to this freaking conclusion. Akio shrugs, but Alexi leans in.

“You have said that you wish to work with children again one day. I will have you a home built here if this is what you wish.”

Working with these kids has been like a dream come true in some ways. I really feel like I’m making a difference here.

“What about my home in Russia?”

“Keep it. We’ll still need you there, but we will manage with you being home less often. We always did video chats before anyway.”

I can’t believe I am actually considering this. There’s just one thing holding me back and I hate it. I never thought I would find someone I cared about enough to want to stay, but I find myself hesitating because of them.

“Can I think about this? All of this is a lot to process.”

“Of course,” Akio says.

“You are not required to do this for us, but if you do, I will support you,” Alexi adds.

This would be good for everyone. The youngest would have the stability they need, and I can still help some of them get adopted. Most of the teens have expressed interest in going to college or the island, and we could help raise them for the first few years, until they can get there.

Those who want jobs in the underworld would always have a lifeline and a resource with this family. It would help grow their network with the next generation and make them truly unstoppable.

I walk down the hall to my room, but stop at a familiar door before I get there. I shouldn't be doing this. I feel like I am betraying the people that have helped me get here.

I never thought I would fall for anyone, but this man surprised me. He opened up and showed me a piece of him that mirrored mine so well. The way we’ve connected over the past few weeks has been almost scary. I have stayed up countless nights now talking about my past, but not in too much detail, and he has done the same with me.

But we haven’t allowed things to go further than just words. Except once, when he kissed me. It was brief, and yet, I think sometimes it still lingers.

Before I can knock, the door opens.

“Hey there, beautiful.”

Soft green eyes stare back at me, and I melt under his attention. He’s so tall that for once, I feel small in a man’s presence.

“Did you hear me walk by?” I ask, my cheeks flaming red.

“I think I have a sixth sense for you, I always know when you’re around.”

I look bashfully at the floor then back up at him.

“I feel the same way.”

“Do you want to come in?” He opens the door wider.

I glance back and forth down the hall before shaking my head. “We shouldn't do this. I’m getting attached, and I don’t know if they will ever be able to accept us.”

“What makes you say that?” He leans against the door frame, his perfectly sculpted arms making me want to drool.

“This is a conflict of interest. We’re professionals, Cameron. And what I want to do to you is very unprofessional.”

He grins so wide I almost laugh. “What is it you want to do to me, Kandace?”

With a sigh, I avert my eyes from the temptation and turn towards my room. “I guess we’ll never know.”

Then, I walk away—because even though I want nothing more than to crawl into his bed with him, I know better than to have a secret in this family. And I‘m afraid that if I show this man what I like, the gentle way he looks at me will disappear.

Not only that, but what would everyone think? They may never trust me or my professionalism again and I cannot let them down by betraying that.