Alexei and I are bringing in illegal goods and using the business as a front for money laundering. It’s the main reason I separated myself from Indie Ink. That way, the risk is only on Alexei and myself and not my family.
Just as well, because the Albanians are pissed off that we took California from them. The last thing I want is for them to come after my family in retaliation. I have security watching Hana when I’m not with her because I know they’ll go after her to get to me.
Pushing the worries to the back of my mind, I answer the same as before, “It’s good.”
Dad locks eyes with me. “Don’t get caught.”
I hold my father’s gaze as I nod once. Bringing the tumbler to my lips, I take a sip and then turn my attention to Christopher. “Are you and Dash coping with the workload?”
“I don’t know how you managed to bring in all those contracts,” Christopher mutters.
A little strong-arming here, a threat there.
“I guess I just have the magic touch,” I murmur.
Christopher raises his tumbler. “Here’s to your new business. I hope it’s a great success.”
“Amen,” Dad agrees.
“Thanks.”
We all take a sip, then Mom comes into the bar area. “You’re not staying in here for the rest of the visit. Come sit outside with us.”
I let out a chuckle when Dad gets up without any argument. He wraps his arm around Mom’s waist and presses a kiss to her temple before they walk out.
“The boss has spoken,” Christopher chuckles. “That, baby brother, is your future.”
My mouth curves into a smirk.
I love my parents, but their relationship is nothing like Hana’s and mine. What we have runs much deeper. We’re ingrained in each other.
Once outside, I sit down next to Hana, and my eyes drift over her face. There’s a content smile hovering around her lips.
Wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, I lean closer until my breath skims over her ear. “You look happy.”
She turns her face, brushing her cheek against mine. “I am.”
My teeth tug at her earlobe before I press a kiss to her neck. Pulling back, Danny catches my gaze, a smile resting on her face. “I’m happy for you,” she murmurs.
Seeing the loneliness in her eyes bothers me. “No one new?”
Danny shakes her head. “Ninety percent of the men out there are crap, and the ten percent that’s worth it have already been snatched up. I got myself a cat.”
Shaking my head, my lips curve up in a soft smile. “You’ll find your prince one day.”
Even though I’ve threatened and beaten more than half the guys Danny’s dated, it doesn’t mean I don’t want to see her happy. She deserves the best, and I hope she finds the love of her life. I know it’s the one thing she wants most in the world.
A burst of laughter from Dash has my eyes going to her and Christopher. My lips curve up when I notice how Christopher's holding her hand.
I already see Dash as my sister-in-law. Christopher just has to pull his head out of his ass and realize she’s the one for him. Instead, he works himself half to death.
“Smile,” Mom suddenly says, drawing my attention to her. She holds up a camera, taking a photo of Dash and Christopher.
Mom turns the device on Hana and me, and not arguing because she’ll stand there until we pose, I wrap my arm around Hana. Turning my face to her, my mouth curves up as I take a deep breath of her.
Then Mom sighs, “Beautiful. I’m framing this one and sending it to you. It will add warmth to your place.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I murmur. Relaxing into the cushion at my back, my arm tightens around Hana until she’s pressed against my side.
I watch my family as I follow their conversations. Being with them makes my darkness retreat below the surface. For the first time, it bothers me, and I know it’s because Hana loves all of me.
With her and Alexei, I can be myself, and that’s why they’re the most important people in my life.
Chapter 21
HANA
The past five months have been exhausting. Fallon and Kao were in a car accident, but at least they’ve both made full recoveries. Between being supportive of Fallon and getting through my studies, I’ve had little time for anything else.
I have two exams left, and then it’s summer break. I’ve studied myself to a near-death. Staring at the blurring words on the laptop, I’m unable to take in any of it.
Damn, I’m tired. I just want to sleep for a week.
The door to my room in the suite suddenly bursts open, and Tristan stalks in, looking angry.
“Hi.” Surprise makes my voice pitch as I move my laptop to the side and get up from the bed.
Without saying anything, Tristan walks to my closet. He takes out the white summer dress I wore to his parents’ barbeque and tosses it on the bed. “Get dressed. You’re taking a day off.”
I don’t have the energy to argue, so I do as he says. When I have the dress on, I slip my feet into sandals. I pull a brush through my hair and swipe on some lipgloss.
Turning to Tristan, he grabs hold of my hand, and linking our fingers, he pulls me out of the suite.
Only when we’re driving away from Trinity does Tristan say, “We’re taking the yacht out for the day. You need to rest.”
My mouth curves up as I lean my head against the headrest, murmuring, “Thank you.” Minutes later, I’m lulled asleep.
When Tristan’s arms slip under me, and I’m lifted to his chest, I mumble, “Are we here?”
“Shh…” he murmurs as he shuts the door and begins to walk. “Sleep, angel.”
I drift off again only to wake up feeling disoriented. I sit up and glance around at the luxurious room. I’m sitting on silk sheets, with an amazing one-eighty view of the choppy sea. The cabin itself has dark furnishings.
I scoot off the bed and walking barefoot, my steps are silent. I go to the ensuite bathroom and finding a toothbrush and paste, I quickly freshen up before I go look for Tristan.
Passing through a lounge that opens to the back of the yacht, I find Tristan with his hands braced on the railing as he stares out over the blue horizon.
I press my palm to his back and duck under his arm so I can hug him. Tristan instantly takes hold of my jaw, and lifting my face, his lips crash against mine. His tongue invades my mouth, and with hard strokes, he sets fire to my body. When he ends the kiss, he asks, “Hungry?”
Breathless, I can only nod. You’d think I’d get used to his intensity, but it still sends a thrill through me, and we’ve been together for almost ten months.
“Come.” He pulls me to the plush couches, and when I’ve taken a seat, a server brings out a platter of fruit and a glass of sparkling water. “I thought you’d like something light,” Tristan explains once the server has left.
Taking a handful of grapes, I pop one into my mouth, and once I’ve swallowed, I say, “Thank you. This is perfect.”
Tristan watches me eat, and when I’ve had my fill, he shakes his head slowly at me. “You’re pushing yourself too hard. I don’t like it.” His voice is deceptively calm.
Clearing my throat, I reach a hand to his thigh. “It’s almost summer break, then I’ll catch up with all the sleep I’ve missed.”