Page 91 of The Disputed Legacy

“Willow, this is Maxim Ivanov,” I introduced.

She furrowed her brow, then as her eyes popped open wide, she swallowed hard. “Ivanov? As intheIvanovs?”

I nodded.

She covered Oscar’s ears. “You’re in theMafia? That’s what you call a job in the consultation and security sectors?”

I nodded.

Her mouth dropped and she turned her speechless gaze to Maxim.

“Nice to meet you, Willow…?”

She grimaced slightly, more afraid but not backing down. “Willow Drake. But I’m still not… apologizing for punching you.”

Damon laughed once. “Damon Ivanov,” he introduced, holding his hand out.

“Mama,” Oscar piped up, “he got his hair caught in a spoke of a bike wheel.”

Damon cleared his throat and shook his head. “You promised not to tell.”

Oscar smiled.

I introduced Willow and Oscar to the others, including Hugo, especially, telling them they were all part of the organization.

Inside, Nik and Katerina approached in the foyer, where Willow once more seemed gobsmacked by the fancy décor and architectural grandness of the building.

“Aha,” Katerina said, all smiles. “I knew you’d cave and bring her home sooner or later.”

I smiled, still hating that I had been forced to bring Willow into my world. I’d wanted her to choose to be my woman with all the stipulations that came with belonging to the Ivanov Syndicate.

“This is Willow Drake,” Damon introduced her to Nik and Katerina. Sloane came in behind them, all smiles as she held Isabella. “Saul’s girlfriend who already made a hell of an impression on Maxim.”

I rolled my eyes.

“What kind of an impression?” Sloane asked as Isabell fussed and reached out for me.

“Never mind that,” I said, taking the baby who wanted her favorite uncle.

“She punched him,” Oscar said.

Sloane frowned. “Why would you punch my husband?”

“Because I wasn’t familiar with the standard protocol when watching strangers kidnap my son?”

Sloane narrowed her eyes at Maxim, who sighed. “It sounds worse than it actually was.”

“Oh?” She arched a brow, looking at Willow and giving her a once-over. “Was it?” she asked him.

“Sloane…” he warned.

She held her hand up to him, facing Willow. “When he kidnappedme, I was unconscious.”

Willow opened her eyes wide with alarm.

“Sloane,” Lucy scolded as she joined us, holding both twins, one of which Damon took. “That didn’t sound good.”

Sloane huffed. “No. He didn’t drug me.” She rolled her eyes. “But had he tried to kidnap me when I was awake, I would’ve punched him too.”