41. Valentin

FORTY-ONE

Valentin

I can't stop whistling, my lips keep making the shape required even when I'm not conscious of it. Viktor adores Dani and there's no tightness in my chest over him being at her house during the day. It changes when she opens the door, and he doesn't give me a second look as he asks, "Can I stay here while you go to the fight? I'm making a cup."

He has clay all over his hands and Dani's even got him a matching apron. Both of them are cute as fuck but he's never stayed out before.

My woman doesn't answer him and looks to me. I don't want to tell him no. I trust her with my life and his, but the tightness in my chest says I'm a liar. If they were staying at home I'd be fine, I know all his shit is there and he's comfortable with everything he could possibly need.

Finally looking up at me, he acts too mature for his age as he says, "Or can I go to the fight? I promise I won't run around, and I'll just watch. "

Is he fuck watching a death match. Especially one of Vlad's psychotic rages. Grown adults throw up at that shit and we'll be later than usual on account of cleaning up the blood.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I try to be the type of parent who comes across as assertive.

"Why do you want to go to the fight?"

He's usually fine with staying home and watching the less brutal ones we pick out the next day. He continues painting his cup and shrugs to himself before he slows the strokes and quietly answers, "All the guards were talking about it, even Dima was excited, and he's never happy about anything."

Because he's a sick fuck like your uncle Vlad and gets off on death .

I've been running my own venues since I was eighteen but any with one of those psychos, and now Ana, are something else. All three of them are cut from the same hellish cloth, they don't even see anyone when they get in the cage. If I was a better man I'd stop their opponents getting in, but they know what they're signing up for and they're handpicked by the crazy trio.

Dani prods my bicep, getting my attention and nods her head towards her bedroom. My needy girl, I like the way she thinks but I'm not going to fuck her when her apartment isn't soundproofed, and Viktor is on the other side of the door. Prodding my bicep again but with more force I follow after her, maybe I can get a taste. Thirty seconds of a promise for us both.

She stops before going inside, the tease. Keeping her voice low her eyes keep darting to my lips, cute little shit.

"He said he didn't want to go home because he'll be alone with you all going to watch Vlad fight. You can pick him up as soon as you're done, and I'll send you messages every hour, so you know he's okay."

I'm the luckiest fucker on the planet having this woman as mine.

"I trust you khudozhnik moya, it's just that he's never stayed away from home before."

My admission has the softest smile on her pretty little face.

She turns her back to the room like it can stop sound travelling and leans closer to me as she whispers, "You're really cute when you go into dad mode. "

I'm a grown ass man, not cute. Seeing my disgust at her choice of word, she laughs changing my mood instantly and I push my hands in my pockets to stop from touching her as I say with awe, "Now that's cute."

Her cheeks turn pink, and she fusses with nothing, getting shy and even more adorable.

Going to Viktor so I don't fuck up and drag Dani into a room, he has a sad smile on his face reinforcing my answer. His cup isn't finished, and he has little pieces of clay ready to be attached. I squat down so we're the same height and try to keep the anxiousness out of my voice.

"Shall I pick you up after the fight?"

Please say yes. Then I'll bring them both home where they belong.

He takes too long to answer, and I've been replaced in his mind.

"Can I come back tomorrow? I don't have school and Dani said she'd make me Brazilian breakfast like my show."

Vlad's dumbass was right and he's searching for a mother figure. For the first time in my life, I feel guilt. Taking a life is easy as fuck but upsetting my kid is the worst thing I've ever experienced.

He wipes his hands on his apron and opens his arms as he tilts his head to the side with a smile. "I'll give you one of your cuddles."

He steps forward and wraps his little arms around my neck, and I kiss his head whispering, "You know I love you?"

Nodding against me, he taps his fingers on the back of my head, trying to soothe me.

"You're being weird again."

Reminding myself that he'll be with Dani, I force my arms to loosen. They'll both be safe and covered in paint by the time I come back. We'll spend the night here or I'll drag her with us and take some of her things, so she doesn't have an excuse to leave again. Kissing his cheek, I step back while he acts like it's gross. The kid has shit on me, but my lips are disgusting so I prod his cheek with the edge of my knuckle as I say, "Make me a cup?"

He shakes his head. "No, you don't drink hot drinks. I made one for Nessa and one for Vlad."