Page 124 of Contract of a Billionaire

I was fucking scared. Scared that I’d lose her. Scared that it’d be one more thing taken away from me.

But I kept it together. For our son.

I brought Kol to my manor. Autumn’s parents spent a lot of time here, right along with Branka. The penthouse would have been easier for Mr. and Mrs. Corbin, but I didn’t want them nor Branka there. It was ridiculous, but it was the space for Autumn, Kol, and me. Nobody else.

“Are you going to keep the drug distribution business?” Vasili asked.

I shook my head. “No, I’m out.”

“DiLustro is pissed off,” Alexei stated in his cold voice.

“I don’t give a shit.” Autumn and Kol were the only thing that mattered. “Ricardo will take over the illegal business side of things. I’ll help him with the transition but I’m out.”

“You know whatever you need, we’re always here,” Nico offered. “Byron offered his security agency. The Ashfords will always stand behind you.”

“You can always count on us,” Cassio repeated the same words from before. When I first told him, he didn’t try to dissuade me. He supported my decision.

I shook my head. “Thank you. Likewise.”

They were friends but also family. They’ve had my back and I’d have theirs.

“Ricardo is a good choice,” Cassio switched subjects. “His values are similar to ours.”

“That's the reason I chose him.”

“Have you heard from Autumn?” Nico asked. I shook my head and pushed my hand through my hair. Again. I itched to light up a cigarette. But I didn’t. I didn’t want Kol smelling it on me. “She sure knows how to cover her tracks, huh?”

Either that or she traveled under a different name. Or her crew rented a private–

I never got to finish the thought because Branka barged into my home office, ignoring that I had a room full of men.

Cassio, Luca, Nico, Alexei, and Vasili raised their eyebrows. Our women knew better than to barge into a meeting. Not that they weren’t welcomed, but they usually preferred to stay out of the illegal side of the businesses.

My sister’s disheveled hair combined with the frantic look in her eyes had me straightening up in my chair. Kol was in her arms, screaming at the top of his lungs. She had to be freaking him out with her panic.

“Alessio, turn on the news.”

It was hardly the time for news. I shot to my feet and strode towards her. She was supposed to be babysitting Kol, not fucking scaring him.

“Branka– ”

“Turn on the fucking news,” she screamed.

Kol let out another high-pitched wail, and I took him from her and went back to sit back down in my seat.

“Alessio– ”

I tilted my chin towards the remote that sat on the little coffee table. I rarely turned on the TV in my office but liked to have it handy in case I had to track any critical news.

“Here, buddy,” I said softly, handing him a crayon. Yes, suddenly my office desk was stocked with crayons and toys. I had a lot of catching up to do. “Your aunt is a bit nuts.”

His chubby hands reached for it and he instantly calmed down. He started to kick his hands and feet. The kid loved to draw. Autumn said it always calmed him down.

“Fatherhood suits you,” Nico drawled. I thought so too. In fact, I couldn’t wait to have more kids with Autumn. A houseful. But first I had to marry her. If only her damn job wouldn’t have called her.

I’d have to look into buyingNational Geographicto ensure all Autumn’s assignments were within driving distance from our home.

“Daddy.” I’d never tire of hearing that word. Nothing, fucking nothing compared to it.