Page 66 of Knot So Damaged

No, this job is a lifestyle. One that after all these years I don’t know if I would be able to turn my back on, even for Valley.

I couldn’t do it for Gwen.

But as I mull it over into my head, I know that I have been preparing Theo for the day that he will take over from me. Jax is already working closely with Conall. Olis has taken a backseat this last year as he has allowed Ledger to organize the soldiers under my command.

And Kennedy, well myfigliahas fit in easily into the family business. I think all of us were surprised the night she took her life back.

I couldn’t be any more proud of my kids.

Maybe handing things over to them, even just partially wouldn’t be a bad idea. Maybe that makes me seem like some kind of helicopter Don but I don’t see anyone telling me that I should do otherwise.

In fact, maybe it will be the answer to all of my problems.

After all, a life with Valley would be like balm to the soul.

“Honestly,” mydolce ciliegrafinally breaks the silence, turning towards me, “the idea of you three being able to protect Amity and I makes me feel at ease for the first time in a long time.”

She sighs, looking down for a moment before meeting my eyes again. “I have been running for so long that it feels almost unnaturalto now have the option to stop hiding. That maybe now that I know I will be safe, I can finally be the real me.”

I don’t know exactly what it is in her words that lets me know there is some kind of underlying to her statement but I brush it aside and focus on the words that have tears pooling in my eyes.

I haven’t cried in what feels like forever but at a simple admission from my girl, I am nearly brought back to my knees.

Clearing my throat, I bring my hands up to rest on either side of her face. “I vow that both you and Amity will never know anything but true happiness ever again. That when you are here, your safety is paramount to us. That if it comes to it, I will put my life on the line just so you can sleep at night.”

Tears stream down her cheeks but I quickly wipe them away, my heart aching seeing the raw emotion on her face.

It's unbearable seeing even an ounce of pain on her.

“I don’t want you to put your life on the line for me,” she says through her tears, her words choked.

Pulling her into my chest, I squeeze her tightly. “I’m sorryil mio cuore,but if it is between me and you, you will always be my first choice.”

After Valley’s tears settle, we move back through the house, finding Olis making lunch. There is an almost foreign smile on her face as she watches Amity dancing in front of the TV to a song I haven’theard before. Cal dances beside the three-year-old, but wherepiccolois adorable, Cal just looks like a deranged chicken as he twerks.

Valley giggles at both of them but quickly, my slight annoyance at my brother dissolves.

If it is my brother that puts that smile on her face, I can deal with his antics for one more day.

It only takes moments for Olis to realize that we have walked into the room. He grabs a plate and dishes up lunch for our girl.

“Here sweetheart,” he says quietly, placing the plate down at the table. The smile she aims at him is breathtaking, the look clenches something in my stomach.

I want her to look at me like that. Like her world starts and finishes with me. Very much the way I am starting to feel about her.

Piccolouses that moment to turn and run towards Valley who collects her in her arms.

“Mommy, this house is so cool! Can we stay here forever?”

I chuckle at the sweet little girl as I bend down and get to her level, “The three of us would love to have both you and your momma here forever.”

Her eyes lighten up even more. She surprises me as she launches herself into my arms, squeezing me tight with her little limbs.

“You are my new favorite, Grumpy Cat.”

Well fuck if I don’t just melt right there on the spot. Even including the nickname I know was encouraged by my brother.

Chapter Twenty-One