The Arrangement: Chapter 25

Waking up on Sunday, there’s this unfamiliar ache in my chest, a tightness that’s hard to shake off. Tory’s supposed to head back to her place today, back to that cramped space she calls home behind her shop. The thought alone gnaws at me. She deserves so much more than a fold-down bed in a room barely bigger than a closet.

Lying there, watching the soft rise and fall of her chest as she sleeps peacefully, I’m struck by how right she feels next to me. There’s a serenity to her presence, a calm that seeps into my bones, chasing away the usual restlessness that marks my days and nights.

Adelina’s taken to her in a way I’ve never seen before. My little girl has opened up like a summer flower under Tory’s care. They laugh, they play, and there’s a light in Adelina’s eyes that’s been missing for too long.

And me? I’m as gone for Tory as Adelina is. There’s no denying it, no pushing it aside. She fits, in every way that counts. In her, I see everything I never knew I was looking for. But damn, is it too soon to voice that, to ask her to consider making this arrangement something more permanent?

I know she’s wary, still holding back because of the shadows that trail my life, the dangers that weave through the fabric of my existence. I can’t blame her; hell, I’d be wary too if our roles were reversed.

Maybe another month, then. Give her time to see that despite the chaos, the risks, we can make this work. Show her I can keep the darkness at bay, that I can be the man she needs, the father Adelina deserves, and the partner she might one day want.

As she stirs beside me, a sleepy smile gracing her lips as her eyes flutter open, I’m resolved. I’ll wait, I’ll prove myself, and when the time’s right, I’ll lay it all out. I’ll ask her to stay, not just for a night, or a weekend, but for the unpredictable, promising future that awaits us.

For now, though, I’ll hold her close, savoring the warmth of her body against mine, and let the morning stretch on a little longer. There’s no rush in this moment, just the quiet promise of what could be, of what I’ll fight to make a reality.

As Tory snuggles closer, a part of me wants nothing more than to wake her with a kiss that promises much more. Just a glance at her body is enough to make me rock hard, ready for a repeat of last night. But the sweet melody of Adelina’s singing from her room drifts to my ears, derailing my thoughts. With a silent promise for later, I carefully extricate myself from the bed and dress quietly.

I tap lightly on Adelina’s door, pushing it open to find her arranging her stuffed animals into what looks like a classroom setting. ‘Morning, sunshine,’ I greet her, earning a beaming smile.

‘Papa! You’re up early!’ Her enthusiasm is as bright as the morning sun.

‘I was thinking,’ I start, leaning against the door frame, ‘how about we make breakfast in bed for Tory? We haven’t cooked together in a while.’

Her eyes light up at the idea, the stuffed animals momentarily forgotten. ‘Yes! Can we make omelets? With lots of veggies and cheese?’

‘Sounds perfect,’ I agree, and her excitement is infectious. Together, we head to the kitchen, our mission clear.

As we gather the ingredients, Adelina chatters about the different veggies she wants to include. ‘Tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and don’t forget the cheese,’ she dictates, taking her role as sous-chef very seriously.

I nod, amused and heartened by her enthusiasm. ‘Understood, Chef. Let’s get cracking.’

The kitchen soon fills with the sounds and smells of cooking, a symphony of sizzling and laughter as we work side by side. It’s moments like these, simple and full of love, that remind me of what’s truly important.

As the omelets near completion, I glance at the clock. ‘Let’s make sure we get this to Tory before it gets cold,’ I suggest, plating our culinary creation with a flourish.

Adelina beams, proud of our teamwork. ‘She’s going to love it!’

Adelina and I are putting the final touches on the breakfast tray when Irina breezes into the kitchen, her return catching me a bit off guard.

‘Back so early, Irina? Planning to shoo us out of your kitchen?’ I tease, arching an eyebrow.

Irina tosses her head back, her laughter mingling with the morning’s cheer. ‘I should’ve known leaving you two in charge would turn my kitchen upside down. What’s the special occasion?’ Her gaze flits between the meticulously prepared tray and Adelina’s excited face.

‘We’re making breakfast in bed for Tory,’ Adelina chimes in before I can reply, her grin spreading from ear to ear.

Irina shakes her head, mock disapproval written all over her face. ‘And here I thought I’d come back to a quiet house. Silly me.’

Our banter is cut short by a strange noise—a soft thud, like something hitting the ground outside. ‘Hold that thought,’ I say, putting down the spatula. ‘I’ll be right back.’ I cast a quick look upstairs, hoping the noise hasn’t disturbed Tory’s sleep. She deserves a few moments of peace, especially with the day we have planned.

As I make my way to the front door, the protective instinct kicks in, sharpening my senses. Adelina’s laughter fades behind me, replaced by the quiet focus that comes with years of dealing with unexpected situations. Opening the door, I step out, ready for whatever or whoever might be waiting.

I scan the early morning quiet, finding nothing amiss. Yet, the stillness doesn’t reassure me. Something about it sets off an alarm in the back of my mind, a reminder that peace is often fleeting in my world.

Charlie and Nick, the new hire, the men part of my security detail, make their rounds, visible signs of the ever-present watch over my domain. They spot me and offer a casual wave. I don’t return the gesture, my mind too preoccupied with the heavier weights I carry.

Turning away from the door, my thoughts shift, unbidden, to the recent clash with Aleksey and the overhanging tension with my father. It’s a thorn in my side, a problem that refuses to stay buried. Aleksey, with his ambitions and sharp tongue, has stirred the pot once too many, crossing lines that even in our world shouldn’t be crossed.

The meeting at my father’s, intended to clear the air, left more unsaid than resolved. My father, the old lion, still thinks he can command obedience and smooth over the fractures with a word. But some fissures run too deep, widened by betrayal and the harsh truths of power.

As I pull away from the window, the resolve settles in. This isn’t just about squabbles within the family anymore. It’s about protecting what I’ve built, what I cherish. Tory and Adelina represent a future I’m fighting for.

The warmth of the kitchen calls me back. For now, I’ll play the part of the doting father, the attentive lover, even as my mind works through strategies and plans.

In this world, you’re always playing the long game. And I intend to win, for their sake, for our future.