“I appreciate the help. I owe you,” I say with a laugh.
Saria, Elijah’s wife, took it upon herself to plan the ball since Tawny was incarcerated at the time. I let her do it knowing she had Malia’s best interest at heart.
“Saria wanted it to be special for Malia despite the reasons behind it.” He grunts, narrowing his eyes on me. “I ran a fucking mafia, Nathaniel, not a party-planning company.”
“I owe you,” I say with a sigh.
Elijah shakes his head. “Malia is our daughter too. I know you have your hands full right now. Flowers and decorations are the bane to my existence, brother, and I have a lot of enemies.” He smiles. “Cash in on that favor, you look like shit. I need to make sure Saria is also not torturing someone for fucking something up.”
Elijah sighs, and his gaze becomes unfocused as he stares down the empty hallway instead of leaving right away. “Lion said she was drinking a lot. Mentioned a few times about leaving and coming to work for him instead.”
The thought of Malia leaving the business tears through me. The Olin Empire is hers, and has always been hers, I just can't give it to her yet. I need her in the right place to deal with it. To understand what it means to lead in a man’s world. I know that is why Elijah is bringing it up, because he thinks it is time. With the Martinez situation coming to a head, though, I cannot afford to make that move yet.
There is a reason she has been a secret. She is my secret weapon, just not in the way she thinks. And now that people know who she is, this vying ball also helps cover my plans for her. They will see her as just another mafia princess when, in fact, my baby girl is a force to be reckoned with.
I nod in acknowledgment of the disclosure as we say our goodbyes for now, then head to my wing to prepare for what’s to come.
Twelve
Malia
“JESUS,PUTSOMECLOTHESon,” I hear Lion scold from behind me as I fix my dress in the floor-to-ceiling mirror in my walk-in closet.
I snort. “Overrated.”
I glance behind me in the mirror as Akila and Lion walk to the door. Keeping his eyes anywhere but on me, Lion leans against the jamb and picks at imaginary lint on his three-piece suit. I giggle at his unease.
Akila’s eyes light up when she catches mine in the mirror, beaming her flawless smile at me. “You look amazing!”
I scan the dress I picked out once more, slowly taking in the matte-black gown with its plunging neckline that ties behind my neck. My back is completely exposed, and the dress snugly hugs my figure until it reaches the double slits that start at each hip bone. I didn’t even try it on. I saw it and knew it was likely to send my mother into cardiac arrest, so I threw my card on the counter and smiled at the sales associate.
I’m practically naked in a ball gown, and I fucking love it. My dad will probably be as horrified as Lion is right now, but he’ll understand the statement. If a dress could say “fuck you” to the underground elite, this would be the one.
I spin around and smile at Lion, who’s desperately continuing to try and avoid eye contact with me. “It’s not like you haven’t seen me before.”
Akila raises an eyebrow and looks at her man dressed in all black.
He points his finger at me. “Stop it.” He moves to point his finger at Akila. “You lived with her crazy ass for three weeks, so you know that she doesn’t know how to put clothes on. I haven’t asked for any of that bullshit. Three weeks, Akila.” He turns his finger on himself. “Twenty-four years.”
Akila and I break out into laughter as Lion runs a hand down his face and groans.
“Do you need anything from me?” he asks, rubbing his temples.
My smile grows. “No, Daddy, I’m fine.”
Lion shudders and narrows his eyes at me. “Malia.”
I shrug. “It’s funny to watch you squirm.”
Lion cusses under his breath as Akila decides to join in on my fun. “It is adorable to see him uncomfortable,” Akila admits.
His head snaps back at that, and his face scrunches up in disgust. “Adorable?” he deadpans. “Don’t gang up on me.”
“Akila could get undressed with me,” I say, trying to keep a straight face. She turns back to him and cocks her head to the side, waiting for an answer.
Lion looks between us and his face falls in defeat. Spinning on his heel, he starts to walk out of my room. “Yeah, no. I’ll be in the hall before you two get me in trouble.”
Akila smiles. “I told Lion to keep the jet ready in case you want to bail.”