Page 129 of Sins and Virtue

He tilted his head, lips pouted in confusion as he turned his head to his dad. “¿Qué?”

Marcello slightly bent his knees and met Ollie at eye level, ruffling his hair. “No te preocupes, mijo. Mami is okay.”

I wiped the mess away with my sleeve as Konstantin watched like a stranger who wished to be a part of what this was.

“Oh my god, I’ve completely forgotten. Marcello, this is Konstantin my—”

“We’ve met.” He said robust, cutting me off.

“Oh, have you?” My eyes rounded slightly, gazing back at the two, my lover and baby daddy, who were mobsters and now glaring at one another.

This was awkward.

His features were dark and tense, yet there was an underline hint of admiration, like he was observing a worthy adversary. “Yes, and given his past, questionable at the very least, a Bratva man. I mean, you couldn’t have gotten with a regular prisoner?”

“I couldn’t help it. You see, my ex didn’t teach me any better, so if I couldn’t be with the leader, I’d be with someone who had power.”

“Well, I can’t blame you; besides his past connections, onslaught of killing sprees, and brutal yet formidable reputation, the Russian fucker is too good looking.”

“Thank you,” Pride indulged my words. Konstantin was more than what any man could be because he was meant for me. “And how about you? Have you found a lucky pretty lady? Well, not prettier than me because obviously it’s hard to get better than what I am.”

One side of his lips rose. “I actually got married.”

A mocking chuckle slipped out against my better will. “Oh really? Someone married you?” I couldn’t believe him, not because he wasn’t handsome or couldn’t attract any woman hewanted, but because he swore he would never marry. Back when I was nineteen, I didn’t have a problem nor ever envisioned myself marrying him, so I liked what we had. Never thinking of changing it.

He angled his face back, lifting his two fingers and directing someone who was sitting by a nearby bench to come.

“I was joking.”

“I wasn’t.”

I squinted at the incomer as I wondered who in the world would bring this man to his knees— but when she rose from the bench, I became mystified. Her deep, rich red hair glittered like rubies, and her skin, all peachy, glowed in the golden cast of the departing sun as she took graceful, elegant steps. Her body made for ballet, as she was lean but poised, and the emerald green sundress she wore with a silk shawl made her look like a doll come to life.

She walked over to Marcello’s side; her head barely met his shoulder as she slid her arm in his as I saw the golden wedding band.

“Blair, this is Saoirse, my wife, and Saoirse, this is Blair, the mother of my son. My own troublemaker.”

“You are beautiful.” I couldn’t help but compliment in awe. She was definitely out of his league.

“Thank you. You are more magnificent than I imagined. Marcello has said so many wonderful things about you, and Ollie is an absolute gem. I am so honored to be a part of his life if you allow me?” She gently asked in consideration.

“Sao-iree!” Ollie said with glee as he waved at her.

“Hi baby,” she replied.

The way they just interacted…

He opened up to her, and she accepted.

The care and kindness in her eyes was something I could recognize as my own.

Had she been anyone else, I’d have disapproved and started a fight, but she crumbled my defenses because we shared one thing we refused to lose. Our love for Ollie.

“Oh my, of course! As long as you love him as your own—”

Her face brightened with tenderness and excitement. “I do. I really do. He is the best thing to happen to me in a long time, and I just would love it if you would give me your blessing to be like a second mother to him.”

“Where did you find her? Don’t tell me you kidnapped her.” I joked with a playful smile as they exchanged a brief, tense look.