Page 18 of A Sixpence For Your Shoe (Revenge Brides #6)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Vincent

“ W hen the fuck do I get to retire?” I snarl into the phone and Mas huffs loudly.

“Look, Rufino, Tuomo and I can deal with this - but because it’s Celso - I just thought you’d want to know.” He snaps defensively.

I run my fingers through my hair, sighing in frustration.

“No. I’m glad you called. I do want to know. You better tell me exactly what the hell he did this time.”

Celso is always causing shit. He has very little respect for laws or rules, even the ones I set. And stupidly I’ve let his defiance slide. He has been my most challenging son and - despite the fact that I would never say it out loud - he is my most precious son. Because he reminds me of his mother.

But at this point in my life, when I have finally let Amelia go because Misha has filled my heart with everything I could ever need - Celso’s favor is wearing thin.

That boy has cost me millions throughout his life - fixing his mistakes has always been my cost to douchebag. Not anymore. I’m tired of it now. I want to retire from the business and spend my time with Misha.

This is the last time I will bail him out of whatever trouble he’s gotten himself into.

“He got into a fight with the son of one of our biggest allies. He was at a bar, drank too much and ended up breaking the guy’s nose. I don’t think he knew who it was at the time - but yeah - its bad.”

“Fuck sakes. Who? Whose son?” I snap angrily.

“Fabio DeLuca.”

“You’ve got to be fucking joking.” I say coldly. “Where is the fucking moron now?”

“He’s at home, hungover.”

“Where is Neve?”

“Dalia and Neve went to Las Vegas for the weekend, a girl’s trip.”

“Ok, so the girls are safe.” I sigh. “I’ll get Celso to come over here. Are you guys going to smooth it over with Fabio? Do you need my help with that?”

“I can handle Fabio, but Celso is still pissed off about the fight and wants to finish it. He isn’t letting it go. Get him to back off before he makes this worse and someone gets shot.”

“I’ll sort it out.”

After the call I’m pacing up and down my living room wondering how the fuck my son can be so stupid.

Since he got married, he’s been distant from me. Colder, more aggressive even, but I’ve put it down to him finding the love of his life and not needing me anymore - which is fine.

It’s time he became a man and stopped relying on me for everything.

Rolling my eyes, I clench my jaw tightly. With reluctance I dial Celso.

“Dad.” He mumbles into the phone sounding like he has a hangover from hell.

“Kid, get out of bed, have a cold shower and come to the mansion for breakfast.” I say.

“No, I’m not in the mood for?—”

“It wasn’t a request. I expect you here within the hour. Get the fuck out of bed.” I snarl.

“Jeez. Ok. For fuck sakes. I’ll be there.”

He hangs up on me and it sends a bolt of anger spiking through me.

“Sometimes I want to fucking break your nose.” I snap, staring at his name on my phone.

“What’s going on?” Misha’s voice is strained with worry as she walks up behind me and wraps her arms around my waist.

I pull her around to my front. She’s wearing tiny sleeping shorts and one of my shirts. We had an incredible night last night. She kept me up for hours.

I grab her jaw, kissing her and instantly feeling my tension ease away. She kisses me for ages, distracting me from the entire world.

Misha steps away and smiles as she reaches up and gently touches my face. “Now tell me what’s going on.”

“My youngest son, Celso. He’s up to shit again, and he’s made a mess that everyone else has to sort out.” I shake my head.

“Oh, that’s not good.” Her brows knot together.

“He’s coming over for breakfast. Put some clothes on.” I gently slap her ass and kiss her one more time before I push her towards the bedroom to change.

Celso arrives late, as expected.

“Hi, dad.” He mumbles when I open the door for him. He smells of vodka and looks angry at the world. “Good morning, Celso.”

“Oh, fucking excellent. Is that bacon I smell?” He pushes around me and walks towards the kitchen where Misha has been making a full breakfast for us. I told her not to bother, but she insisted seeing as it is her first time meeting another of my sons.

“Who the fuck is this?” I hear Celso say from the kitchen.

Walking in after him I slap him on the back of the head. “Have you forgotten all of your manners?” I huff.

Misha turns to face him, and she freezes for a moment, her eyes tracing over him as though they know each other. “Hi, um, I’m Misha.” She says, holding out her hand. Celso moves in slow motion as his eyes trace over her. “Do I know you?” He asks, confused.

“I don’t think so.” She shrugs, but you also look familiar.

“I must have seen you at a club or something.” Celso shrugs too, dismissing it.

“How long until the food is ready? I’m starving.

” He leans over her to peek into the pan and then tries to steal a slice of bacon.

She smacks his hand away with the spatula and laughs.

“Just wait dammit.” She is smiling widely, and I can’t tear my eyes off the two of them.

Why are they acting as though they’ve known each other for years?

“Make yourself useful and set the table.” Misha huffs, pushing Celso away.

He laughs too and shakes his head. “She’s bossy dad. I can see why you like her.”

“Set the fucking table and stop messing around.” I snarl.

I move between them, wrapping my arm around Misha and pulling her back against my chest.

She leans her head into me and looks back, smiling, her gentle eyes still belong to me.

I glance at Celso again and a possessive, jealous streak aches inside me. He’s young, good looking and charismatic. Of course, she would be attracted to him.

A low growl rumbles through my chest, and she turns to glance at me with worry traced in her eyes. “Are you ok?” She whispers.

I nod. “I’m fine, little pet.” I reassure her. It’s not her I’m worried about. It’s my son.

Maybe his marriage is not going as well as I thought it was. Maybe he’s thinking he can have a little fun on the side.

I will cut his balls off and shove them down his throat.

“So, dad, how’s life been now that you’re retired?”

“You’d know if you ever visited.” I snap.

He chuckles. “Sorry, Neve has been keeping me very busy.”

“Are you enjoying married life?” I ask.

“Fuck, dad, I’ve never been happier in my life. She’s perfect. I don’t know how I got so lucky.”

“Hmm.” I snort. “Luck? I don’t think stalking someone until they give up and marry you is how one would define luck.” I laugh, relieved to hear he’s still in love with his wife.

Celso packs up laughing then stops and pulls a face as he presses his hand against his temple.

Misha is two steps ahead of me and hands him a glass of water and two painkillers. “Here. It smells like you need these.” She grins.

“That bad?” he asks, smiling at her.

“Worse.”

Celso leans down and sniffs his own top. “But I showered.” He says defensively.

“I think it’s seeping from your pores.” She taunts him.

All morning the two of them banter back and forth as though they are the oldest friends in the book. Each time I reassure myself that it doesn’t mean anything, my own sinister thoughts override my reassurance, and I get angrier.

After breakfast we are all sitting in the living room.

Misha is curled up against my side and my arm is wrapped around her shoulder.

Celso is sitting opposite on the single sofa.

They are still deep in conversation about things that don’t interest me.

I pull her tighter against me and she glances at me. Her eyes asking if I’m ok. I smile.

But I’m not ok.

I don’t understand what’s going on between them. I’m starting to think that they are hiding something from me.

Celso drinks his coffee slowly and I have to hold back from telling him to hurry the fuck up and leave. I haven’t even talked to him about the fight he got into last night, but with the way he’s laughing with Misha I don’t think he remembers it happened.

Finally, when the coffee is done, and the breakfast is over, I stand up, making a clear suggestion that it’s time.

Celso and Misha stand up too.

“I really like this one, dad.” He muses, his eyes squinting in her direction as though he’s trying to work something out.

“Indeed.” I mutter, unimpressed, my arm gripped tighter around her waist.

“Thanks for breakfast. It was amazing to meet you, Misha. You make excellent bacon. Maybe I’ll come visit once a week.”

“We’ve run out of bacon.” I snap.

Celso laughs as though I’ve made an incredible joke, but my blood is running hotter by the second.

“It was nice to meet you too.” Misha smiles sweetly at him. I push her behind me as he makes a move to hug her goodbye. She wraps her arms around my waist and runs her hands over my stomach.

“Bye.” I say, gesturing towards the door.

“Bye, dad.” He chuckles and heads out, closing it behind himself.

I wait a few moments to be sure he’s not going to come back in then I turn to look at Misha with dark jealousy traced in my eyes.

“What was that?” I snarl, pulling her close.

“What do you mean?” She asks, hesitantly.

“Do you know my son? Have you met him before? Is something going on between you two that you forgot to tell me about?” I’m angry and heated and taking it out on her. But I have to know the truth. I will kill him. And I’ll never let her leave this house alone again.

“Vincent.” She says gently, tracing her fingers over my chest. “It’s nothing like that. I’ve never met him before. Ever.”

“Then what? Hmm? What was that?” I snap.

She shakes her head. “My entire life I’ve always wanted a brother. And when I looked at him - from the very first second it just felt like - oh - he’s like my big brother somehow. I don’t know how to explain it. It was a good feeling. He’s the type of brother I would want.”

“A brother?” I say carefully.

“Yes. It’s always just been my mom and me.

When I was a little girl, I used to lie in bed at night and dream I had a massive family.

And we would all sit around the table at dinner time eating good food and making jokes and teasing each other.

I’m sorry if I upset you. But meeting Celso just jumped me right back to those dreams I used to have as a little girl.

Of being a part of a massive family. Everyone happy.

” She speaks as though she’s lost in those memories, and I realize I have nothing to worry about.

Misha snuggles against me, and I kiss the top of her head.

“I’ll arrange a big family dinner for you, little raven. You can meet everyone and finally experience what it’s like to have that big family,” I say, gently stroking her hair.