Page 184 of Villainous Kingpin

“Down, down,” my youngest demanded again. The little monster was a wiggle worm. “Me want,” she babbled.

Noelle knew how to make her wants heard.

“I see the kids are doing good,” Nico announced. “You must be proud.”

My eyes darted back to where my wife stood. Proud didn’t even begin to describe it. “More than proud.”

Bianca chuckled. “And to think you had to drag her down the aisle.”

Of course, it was a topic of discussion almost every holiday. Fuckers.

Bianca reached out for Noelle’s little hand that kept reaching for her aunt. Or was it cousin, fuck if I knew. The family connection was complicated, connecting my wife to Bianca through the crazy Pakhan.

“From what I hear, Nico forced you down the aisle too,” I mused while lowering down to set my toddler down.

She chuckled. “Right you are. Best fucking day ever.”

I grinned. I couldn’t quite figure out if we had corrupted our women or vice versa.

All three of my kids took off in the direction of their mother who stood surrounded by the new students. Some fascinated by her ice skating career, and others asking questions about the school.

“I’m gonna say hi to Wynter,” Bianca announced and I nodded. Minutes passed in silence.

“It never goes away, huh?” Nico’s remark had me raising my eyebrows. “The worry constantly lingers that something could change it all. Take it all away from us.”

My eyes sought out my wife again. He was right. The worry never truly ended. No matter what, it probably never would. I’d worry about my wife and our children until my dying breath.

“It never goes away,” I confirmed.

Nico dispersed to go help his daughters get situated into whatever dorm they’d stay in. I’d talk to Wynter about putting extra insurance on that building, because those two were sure to wreak havoc.

My wife’s eyes flickered my way and instantly my chest grew full. Yes, I ruled the Syndicate alongside my cousins. Yes, we still dealt with illegal shit. And fuck yes, I killed anyone who tried to threaten my family.

But at the end of the day, I’d always come home to them. To a house full of children, toys scattered around and my wife as she attempted cooking. She was better at ice skating and running the school, but my wife was not a quitter. My cook made sure of it.

Noelle found her way to her mother, grinning and reaching up her chubby arms. I could hear her faint demand. “Up.”

Before my wife had a chance to pick up our baby, Grandma snatched her up.

“Where is my baby girl?” Aisling cooed at her. “Guess what I have?”

Wynter’s mom found a cure to aging. Though it only worked on her. My wife swore she had never seen her mother like this. She glowed from happiness. And my uncle spoiled her rotten. The woman deserved it though.

“Ummy beaws!” Noelle squealed excited and instantly opened her mouth.

It was her favorite junk food. Out of nowhere, Fallon and Grayson found themselves next to their grandmother. Little rascals.

The salty ocean air drifted from the shoreline. Despite the girl squad sucking at their criminal activity, I had to admit they did well with this project. They have found the perfect location, the large acreage of woods hiding them from the nearest road of nosey passersby and the ocean views on the opposite side.

My wife’s hands wrapped around my waist from behind, her touch sending a small shudder through my spine. Every. Fucking. Time.

At this rate, we’d end up filling the school with our own kids.

“Hey, husband. How is your stay-at-home dad job going? Or is being the kingpin more to your liking?”

I brought her around to my front, so I could get lost in her eyes. She was my own personal heaven. “Well, I have another ten hours to go. We only managed to spill one juice box and a handful of animal crackers inside the car. This kingpin will forever be happy to spend a day with our kids. And you, principessa.”

Her soft chuckle vibrated against my chest. “You did good,” she murmured. “You’re as good at your daddy job as you are at your kingpin job.”