Page 49 of Contract of a Billionaire

“Jesus, I don’t know if it’s a love story or– “ My fingers pushed through my hair, very much like my dad did when he was stressed out. “Or maybe a horror story.”

Maman smiled softly. “It’s definitely the greatest story of my life.”

My chest warmed at seeing the love. No wonder they couldn’t keep their hands off each other. They went through some obstacles to be together.

“So how did you get Maman and me back, Dad?” I asked him, going back to the story.

Maman and dad frowned at the same time and for the first time, I saw fear flicker in their gazes.

It was Maman who answered. “I want you to remember that we never had the intention of letting them have you. Ever!”

Her words made no sense but I nodded nonetheless.

“We made a deal, ma chérie,” Maman said, her fingers clutching dad. Or was he clutching hers? I couldn’t tell anymore, although one thing was for certain. Alone they were weak, but together, they were a rock. Strong.

“What kind of deal?”

“On your eighteenth birthday, they would start preparing you to take over the Corsican mafia. Either you would rule it or someone they designate for you to marry would.”

I shot up from my spot like someone had burned me.

“What?” I screeched. “They can’t decide who I marry!” Then the full meaning sunk in. “On my eighteenth birthday? But that was four years ago.” They both nodded. I felt like something was missing here. “Are they dead?”

“No,” Maman answered. “They said they are not ready.”

“They are not ready,” I repeated slowly. This conversation was getting weirder by the second.

“I think maybe after all these years, my father realized it’s best to let his nephews’ rule.”

“My cousins?” I muttered. Maman nodded. “I guess that’s good.” I sank back into my seat. I didn’t know what to make of all this. “What if they change their mind and demand I–” I searched for words. “I can’t be a criminal,” I muttered. “I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”

Maman jumped up and came to my seat. Just like when I was a little girl, she sat next to me and hugged me.

“If they come for you, then we’ll disappear. We know how to do that. They won’t have you. I love the woman you have become. The little girl that always wanted to save the world is finally on the move and I won’t let anyone stop you. Please don’t hate me, chérie.”

A lump formed in my throat and my eyes stung. I wrapped my hands around her. “I could never hate you or Dad.”

If anything I appreciated them even more.

Chapter16

Alessio

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I tapped my fingers against my desk as I studied photos Autumn posted on her Instagram. She was in Afghanistan.

For the past two months, I’d followed her all over the world.

Kuala Lumpur. Sydney. Tokyo. Taiwan. Cambodia. And now Afghanistan.

Pictures of the sunrise from the top of Petronas Twin Towers. Sydney Opera House. Senso-ji in Tokyo. Street food in Taiwan. Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The contrast of desert and mountains in Afghanistan.

I made it to each destination every weekend. To see both of them. My sister and Autumn lived their best life and enjoyed every single minute of it. Me, not so much. I had aged about five years in the past two months worrying about the two of them.

I sat in my Abu Dhabi office, counting down the hours when I’d see Autumn. She and my sister were scheduled to arrive tonight. I had already scheduled their pick up and instructed my driver to bring Autumn to my room. Knowing Branka, she’d be too tired to see me or talk to me until tomorrow.

My phone beeped, signaling a text message and I slid it open.