Mafia Princess: Secrets

Chapter 1 EROS

EROS POV (Emma's Dad)

It's 4:00 am can't sleep to much on my mind. I go through my morning routine, shower brush my teeth, don't shave cant remember the last time I shaved. Maybe the next time I go by the barber I'll let them give me a mark and trim my beard a bit. Stepping into my walk-in closet pick out a suit for today. I'll go with the grey slim fit Hugo Boss suit and pair it with a black shirt.

Looking at my reflection in the mirror I've change in the last seven years. I've grown out my beard and I'm a little more built my dirty blonde comb over has grown out as well sometime I tie it in a man bun, but today I brush it all back. 'Would you have approved my Isa?'

As I sit in your favorite chair and I imagine if you were here, you would be sitting on my lap, me holding you in my arms, you would caress my cheeks running your fingers through my beard, kiss me on my forehead and we would lean into each other's forehead as we use to, sitting it total bliss. 'I miss you.'

Back to reality I contemplate the upcoming month. To the top of my list I have a dinner and a party to plan for the kids, which reminds me I'm meeting with the party planner today.  We have a little over three weeks to plan. I smile at the thought of them. 'Am I doing a go job would you both approve of the choices I've made for them?'

Emma gentle, kind, sweet and caring, a heart of gold just like her mother. To most she may seem to be oblivious about my "business", but in fact I don't hide anything from her she is aware of what goes on in and around us not the details of it though, I do masks the dangers of it. I don't want her to worry about losing another parent. I often worry which asshole will try to use her to get to me or even worse hurt her to hurt me. I'd like to see them try. After the loss of her mother (Isabelle my wife) her safety is my main priority. They thought they would cripple me with the death of my wife and best friend. What they didn't expect is for me to get stronger. I did it  for the kids. I had to.

Emma being my only child makes her a moving target. There's vultures always lurking trying to get to the top. There are some who would stop at nothing to take me out I know that first hand. I'm thankful Emma isn't self absorbed like most teenagers. From home to private school and back home again and weekend are spent at home. Devil knows I have a lot on my plate and Emma doesn't add to it thankfully. I wonder if it's health for her to isolate herself like that only interacting with staff and me. Thankfully she has Jace now as well.

I know it's only a matter of time though. I don't want to think about it after all she's only 13 years old soon she'll be turning 14 and starting high school and god boys aarrghh. I've never had to worry about BOYS. My little Emma and some BOY hmph the thoughts makes my blood boil. I will put a bullet in any boy who thinks of getting anywhere near my princess.

I know she is the way she is because we lost her mom and Jace disappeared just after. We lost her mom just before her seventh birthday and a month after Jace and his mother disappeared. Luckily we got Jace back. She's still guarded though. Five years is a long time and they're both changed within that time. They both share the same birthday September 25th but are 4 years apart.

Andrea and I were always together in the "business" and, out of it and Isabelle and Julie our wives were the same, so the kids automatically were always together. Isabelle and I thought of Jace as our son even before Emma was born, I spoiled him rotten earning me an earful from the ladies. Even now I still think of him the same but I'm a lot tougher on him now that he's older and learning the business he want to be like his dad.

Come September Jace will be eighteen and in his final year of high school and Emma will be fourteen and starting. Hopefully he'll help her adjust before he finish.... at least I'm not worried I know he'll be there looking out for her.

St. John's Prep suppose to be the best, apart from the top teaching staff its supposed to be safe and secure. That's why I choose there for the kids. Only the best for my kids they don't ask for much infact they don't ask for anything other then the basics.

You would think having the resources that they do they would be using them all but no. Emma is an online shopper her wardrobe consists of jeans, leggings, sweaters, tees, tank tops and camis. Jace is similar jeans, joggers, tees, sweatshirts and hoodies. The few clothing they own that's name brand I choose only because I was afraid to leave it up to them for when we had to attend parties, and dinners which require formal attire.

I often think about Andrea and Isabelle. Andrea my best friend my right hand I hope I'm doing right by him taking care of Jace. Or would he not want him to be in our line of work. Knowing Andrea he wouldn't want it any other way. His legacy and all. "Live by the sword die by the sword" is what he use to say. Ha ha ... just thinking about back then makes me miss him even more.

And Isa my beautiful Isabelle I know my love our time was short and miss you everyday that goes by. When I look at Emma I can't help but think about you. If I could change the past both Andrea and you would be here to see how grown, how responsible the kids are. I can't take much credit, they practically raise themselves.

Know this, know matter how busy I get I make time for them. Nothing else matters. Without them I'm nothing and all this I do would be for nothing.

Ring!! Ring!!

My phone brings me out of my thought.  I answer.

"Eros"

"Hi Eros its Chelsea, Chelsea Adams calling to confirm our 12 o'clock. Sorry to call this early but_" I cut her of to get to the point.

"It's ok Mrs Adams_" 

"Miss"

"Sorry"

"Oh it's Miss, you said Mrs. I'm not married."

"Ok. Miss Adams I'll see you at 12."