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“I am, but I need to know if I should keep taking it.”

My instinct is to tell her yes, but I want to know her thoughts on the matter.

“Do you want a baby?”

Olivia shrugs. “It would give me something to do.”

I push her away gently so I can see her face. I need to know what she’s thinking. Fatherhood isn’t something that will come naturally to me, but even I know you don’t have kids to pass the time.

“A baby’s a commitment, not a hobby.”

“I know that. It’s just that I’m…”

“Bored,” I fill in for her. This is something I knew would be an issue at some point. I just didn’t expect it to arise so soon.

“I’m not bored now, not while we’re here like this, but when we go back to New York.” She pauses and frowns. “Will we go back to New York?”

“Of course.” It’s where my primary residence is and my uncle’s business concerns are largely based in the city. “We’ll also come to Europe often.”

“Okay, so once the honeymoon is over, you’ll have wheeling and dealing and torturing your enemies to keep occupied. What will I have? Shopping, dinner parties, and more shopping.”

“You have four sisters-in-law.”

“They’re all busy with their own projects. My friends are all working or traveling. Even Alessia has college.”

“You want to go to college?” It could be a nightmare for security, but I’m not opposed to the idea.

Olivia shakes her head. “I want to run my own business. I’ve been thinking about it for a while now.”

“Have you worked up a business proposal?”

“Not yet. I didn’t know if it would be worth putting all that effort in if I was going to end up married to some sexist asshole who wants his wife to stay home and warm his bed.”

“Do you think I’m going to demand you do that?”

“No, I don’t, but I don’t know you well enough to be sure.”

“If you want to stay home and warm my bed, I’ll be happy.” I put a finger beneath her chin and force her to look at me as she scowls and tries to turn away. “If you want to run your own business, I’ll be happy with that, too.”

“And what about having kids?”

“I’d like a couple, but to be honest, right now isn’t the best time. My uncle only just named me Pakhan. I don’t expect a rebellion over it, but you never know.”

Olivia nods as if she understands the problems I could face. I suppose she saw it all when Antonio took his place as headof their family. There was a lot of bloodshed as he established control.

“Okay, so I can go ahead and put together a business plan.”

“Yes.” I stroke her arm. “And when you’re ready, I’d like you to show it to me. If the numbers look good, I’ll be your first investor.”

A smile spreads across Olivia’s face that warms me to the core. Fuck, seeing her happy is the best feeling in the world. This woman is fast becoming everything I never even knew I wanted.

CHAPTER 19

Olivia

Ican think of a million ways I’d rather spend my afternoon than having tea with my mother. Piotr and his uncle are supposed to be here with us, but I arrived a half hour ago and there’s no sign of them yet. My mother has gone all out. The table is laid with our finest china. There’s a fancy cake stand with delicate finger sandwiches and the most incredible looking pastries that she won’t allow me to touch until the men get here.

Sighing heavily to signal my displeasure at being made to wait, I look out over the garden. It’s pretty at this time of year with the flowers in full bloom, but I can’t help wishing I was back in Paris. Piotr and I spent ten days longer in the city than he originally intended. Although we had a couple of dinners with his business associates, most of the time it was like we were in our own blissful bubble, shielded from the real world.