Liam Rodriguez

             He threw the shirt over his head. His holster was laying on the nightstand. He had no idea if she blatantly talked about her concerns it wouldn't anger him. He didn't want to change his mind. 

      She was wiggling her feet nervously. His world was hard-core mafia territory. But it wasn't her worry, something else was, it was written all over her face. He swiped his tongue over his lips and took steps forward. 

     "Rose," He said, towering over her. He tried not to scare her. 

     She glanced up and smiled. Her smile warmed his heart. He inclined forward and lifted his hand. He was studying her closely. They were far from the moment when she was scared of him. She is frightened of him now too, but only fear of losing him. The corner of his lips kicked up proudly, he said nothing else just kept running his fingers in her silky long hair. 

    "Liam," Her voice was soft.

    He pulled back as he felt a whole lot of heat in that moment. There was a hint of teasing in her voice.

    "You have a strange kind of aura." He spoke deep and low, his words flowing through her heart. He felt calm around her and had a strong need to protect her though he knew she was safe now. 

     Her eyes widened slightly, her lips parted, "I... I, um, didn't know." She looked away. 

    He slipped his fingers under her chin and tugged. The smallest tilt of his lips calmed her. She was too flustered to ask him as he was certain she did not comprehend it. He didn't say anything as he wanted to capture the moment. He stepped back as his phone pinged. 

     She tilted her head back and looked up at him. 

     He wondered, how could he love her so deeply more than anything. She deserved this, her beauty, her innocence grasped it. He grabbed his phone and swiped it to read the message. 

      'I'm about to knock on your door,'

     He just finished reading it when a rap echoed in the room. The door cracked open and his father walked in. 

     "Congratulations, Kiddo." He said cheerfully, smiling like the happiest old man. He looked far different from his angry mafia boss's look. 

      Rose started to step down but Nicholas held out his hand. It halted her instantly, "Thank you, dad." Her smile was genuine. 

      Nicholas kissed her head, "My grandson! We should arrange a party," He suggested, turning to him. 

      His body tensed. He hadn't forgotten how his brother kidnapped her from the party and put her life in danger. 

      "No," He said, reining in his emotions. 

      Nicholas's smile didn't waver, "I know you're worried." He didn't mention anything but he understood, "I'm not inviting outsiders but only family members."

      " Can I invite my brothers, my family, Dad?" She squealed in merriment. 

      "I've already informed Caspian," Nicholas told her with a smile. 

      She opened her mouth but shut it immediately. He smiled, "Lily and her family can come too." He said. 

      Her brows drew together, "Momma," She said and her body tensed when she realized her mistake. 

      "All will come." Nicholas said, "After the party, we'll continue our chess game,"

     Her smile returned, "Okay, Dad." 

     His father turned to him, "Danil and I can attend the meeting." He whispered. 

     "Thanks, Dad," He gave him a full nod. 

     Nicholas left the room. He could still feel tension radianting from her. He sat down on the mattress and softly grabbed her hand. His fingers felt the running pulses under his thumb and fingers. 

     Sighing, softly. He placed a soft kiss on her inner wrist, "You can invite them." He said. 

     "I didn't mean to bring it out like this," He could see the dread in her eyes. He was proud and frustrated at the same time. 

     "You're thinking too much," He began to run his thumb. Her pulses returned palpitations normally. 

     She blew out the air parting her lips. The lessons of measly classes were enough for self-defense. But she was good with guns. She yawned, feeling exhausted. 

     "Go to sleep," He kissed her head and strode away from her. He could feel her gaze on his back, "Your too much thinking isn't getting you anywhere. His destiny has been written already," He said. 

      "Not by god," There was sarcasm in her weak voice. 

      He smirked, looking out of the window. His gaze drifted over the land in front of him. When he turned to her, his expression was blank, "Because there's no god in our world but..." He didn't need to complete it.

      She'd been inebriated for him. But he had mastered himself, reining his emotions, and feelings around her. 

      His gaze turned to her hands, she was twisting them, anxiously. He felt the urge to walk over and comfort her, assure her. But she needed to learn, she had to win over her nagging thoughts. 

      She inclined her head, "Good night," She was looking relaxed. She closed her eyes. 

      He stared at her until the storm began to calm inside him. 

            So peaceful! So attractive! 

     He strode over to the washroom. His head was filled with many thoughts, thinking over the people he had encountered in his life, mulling over who could be dangerous in the future, to whom he should be killing before it got too late. And there was only one name. 

     Though he was dead, but his son, Vincent, had replaced him.

     After showering, he strode out of the room. He needed a plan. He sent a quick message to Danny. 

      He opened the door of his office. His feet halted when he saw his father and Danil sitting on the couch. They immediately stopped talking at his sight. 

     He covered his shock behind a deep scowl, "Meeting over so soon," His lips thinned. 

     "Rose?" Danil asked. 

     He snorted, "Sleeping," 

     "We're discussing Vincent." Nicholas paused. 

     He smirked knowing his family was also concerned about one thing, "He's the new Capo." He said. 

     "Yes, sources are saying, he's cruel but in a different way from his father," Danil said. 

     He shot his brows up, "Cruel is cruel, Danil. He could be dangerous." He told them. 

     "We have a solution. We can assure not-any-danger with a marriage tie." Nicholas suggested.

     His gaze turned to his father, giving his full attention to him, "His sister is already married." He told his father. 

    "His consigliere, Dominick's daughter, Ariana Giordano," Nicholas suggested. 

    He glanced at Danil. He was going to marry at the weekend. He clenched his jaw, "Kairo would mess things up." 

     "He'll marry her," Nicholas declared. 

     "He has changed a lot." Danil favored him. 

     "Hot head isn't getting him anywhere. We're capable of taking them down." He grabbed a glass from the counter and poured himself a whisky. 

     "She's gonna vomit all over after smelling alcohol over you. Pregnant women are more dangerous with mood swings," Nicholas chuckled. His head shook in disapproval. 

     He lifted the glass and smelled it. He downed the glass, "I wasn't planning to go back." He said and turned to them. 

     "We don't want any enmity when Rose is pregnant," Danil said. 

     He considered his expression. It wasn't the fear of war, it was her happiness and the heir, that had brought them here, "Danil's son can be heir if..." He trailed, not wanting to complete his words. 

     "Brother," Danil's voice was slow and full of hurt. 

     "Firstborn will get the throne, Liam," Nicholas said, sternly. 

     He nodded curtly. He poured himself another drink. The door opened and Kairo walked through it. His hair was a mess and he rubbed his left eye. 

     "Did you walk directly from your room?" Danil asked with a smirk. 

     Nicholas was looking at Kairo closely as he was contemplating the suggestion he offered them a few minutes ago.

     Kairo grabbed his glass and downed the whisky, "Rose is gonna vomit all over, brother." He said, thudding the glass down. It was on the top of his tongue 'don't drink, ' but he couldn't. 

     "Uncle," All heads turned to the door. 

     Cody walked in. His eyes were big, tears tracks were all over his cheeks. He was close to Kairo. 

     Kairo cursed under his breath and advanced his steps and picked him up. 

     Cody's tiny arms crawled around his neck. He looked at Liam with his doe eyes, resting his head on Kairo's shoulder. 

     He softened his gaze. He ruffled his hair, "Did you follow him here?" He tried to soften his voice. 

    Cody nodded. His tiny arms tightened around his neck, "He's still in his sleep. I should take him back to his room," Kairo said.

    "Good ni..ht, daddy, grandpa, uncle." Cody swept his soft gaze on all faces with a smile. 

    "Good night, young man." Nicholas smiled. 

    Danil waved his hand at him with a full smile. 

    He waited for them to walk out, "Danny!" His voice was crude. 

     Danny walked into his office immediately, "Boss," He said and bowed his head. 

     "Where's the nanny?" He demanded. 

     "It's her sleeping hours, boss," Danny replied. 

     "Ask someone to look over them when their nanny is sleeping," Nicholas said. 

     "Will do, boss." He said and left the office. 

     "Your mother was always exhausted when you two were kids," Nicholas smiled, 

     "Who was the naughty one, " Danil asked, smirking. 

     "No doubt, you and then Kairo replaced you." He answered gleefully. 

      He smiled and walked over to the couch to join them in a conversation about the previous topic.