Chapter Six
Being seated at the dinner table with Lucas, her father, Roman, Antonio, Marlo, and Cash was the most surreal experience for Alex. She sat next to her father, while Lucas sat opposite him on the other end of the table. Roman was beside her father, next to her. Opposite were his three friends.
Millie and a few of their wait staff brought out platters of food for them to serve themselves.
“You have food prepared at home?” Lucas asked.
“Yes, it has always been this way.”
“And you don’t find that reckless?”
Liam smiled at Millie, who was shooting dangers at Lucas. The man had just insulted her cooking.
Alex wondered if Lucas had a death wish. She wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t do something awful, like not season his food.
“I have found that if you have the right allies, make friends, and don’t fuck them over, they don’t want to poison you. Maybe you should try it. It beats all that crap they serve at restaurants.”
“There is no way I would allow my family to eat at such … places.” Millie glared at him. “I’m watching you.”
Lucas held his hands up. “I’m sorry. In my experience…”
“We’ve had people die from poisoning. My little sister died because of it,” Roman said.
“I had no idea,” Liam said. “I’m sorry.”
“It was ten years ago, but still, you are right. I have too many enemies and certainly not enough friends.”
Liam grabbed his glass. “Then let’s toast to new friendships and a future of peace.”
Alex lifted her glass and joined in with the toast. There was no point in arguing with them.
“How was Stuart?” Liam asked.
“He’s not … the past couple of months have been hard on him.”
“I know, but he must learn to adapt.”
“I still think I could—”
“No.” Liam slapped his palm on the side of the table.
“Dad, please.”
“That boy is not your responsibility. You are not going to take the time adopting him or having anything to do with him. That is final.”
This was the only time they disagreed on something, and it sucked, big time. She stared down at her plate.
Silence rang around the table.
“Maybe I can be of some assistance,” Lucas asked.
“My daughter found a kid. A sweet kid, but he’s not hers. She wanted to adopt him at eighteen. From personal experience, raising a kid is not easy. Besides, you now have a husband of your own. End of discussion.”
Alex had never asked for anything. She’d never caused a problem. Never made waves. She’d been the perfect daughter to him. Gripping the edge of the chair, she tried to calm herself, to remove the tension building in her body, but it just kept threatening to get out. To expel.
Anger flooded her body.
They had started talking about their work, about business as if her life didn’t matter. As if what she wanted didn’t even register. She wasn’t asking for the latest gadget or something selfish. She wanted to help a little boy. Actually, she wanted to adopt all the children in the damn orphanage. When she was eighteen, she had even asked for a gift, the chance to do just that, but he’d refused.