Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“He had a gun and there was no way I’d let him take you away from me.”
Ed started to moan, and Luca acted quickly. With Tillie’s help, they were able to get him into a chair and tie him up. During that time, Andrew arrived, as did David and Bella.
Andrew looked at him, asking if he was all right, with genuine concern. He told him he was, and then Bella grabbed his face, turning him left and right, then pulling him into a hug.
David shook his hand, and then pulled him in for a hug.
Luca couldn’t believe they were all in the main office, waiting for the police to arrive.
Ed glared at his brother. As for Andrew, his arms were folded across his chest as he stared back at Ed.
“You didn’t deserve that company,” Ed said.
“Shut up,” Andrew said. “Do you really think Dad was going to give the company to you? You spent all your time chasing women and a good time. When he tried to get you to work, you made him feel like shit. You don’t know what hard work is, and you nearly destroyed everything. Now, I don’t even have to worry about what crap you’re up to. You’re going away for a long time.”
“Half is mine.”
“No, I’ve already spoken to the lawyer. There is no way for you to contest it. You got your fair share, but you wasted it and you did so with speed.” Andrew shook his head. “You’re not entitled to anything and the company is now Luca’s, and he is going to make sure my mistakes are not repeated.” Andrew took a step toward him. “I appreciate you wanting to give my company back to me, but I know where I went wrong. Just do as you’re doing, and you and I will never have a problem.” Right in front of his eyes, he tore up the deeds Luca had drawn.
Tillie pulled him toward her. “You were going to give the company back to my father?”
“Yes, I was.”
“Why?” Tillie asked.
“Because I have you and our baby, and I have a family. The company is a success—”
“Because of you,” Andrew said.
“I just want to point out that I agree with this as well,” David said. “Nearly losing it was a close call, and not one I want to repeat, so you’re not getting rid of us that easily.”
At the sound of the police arriving, everything else went by in a whirlwind as their statements were taken. Ed was arrested, and then, one by one, Andrew, Bella, and David left, as did the police, and Luca was alone with his wife.
“I love you,” she said.
“And I love you.”
He took her hand, and rather than go to bed, he led her into the kitchen to make her a hot chocolate he knew she was going to need.
Epilogue
Five Years Later
Luca knew he should be working, but having his children come and see him at lunchtime was one of the best parts of his day. He had no choice but to go to work most days of the week. If he was at home, family distracted him. Work didn’t seem quite as important as enjoying Daniel and Elizabeth’s early years.
Daniel was his oldest son, at five years old, and a little terror when he got started. It had been an amazing pregnancy and smooth birth. Even though, after being in the labor room with Tillie, Luca had been tempted to get his balls chopped off, because seeing her in any kind of pain was so fucking difficult. He couldn’t stand it.
A year later, Elizabeth was born, and her pregnancy had come with a few complications, mainly with the morning sickness. The doctors had been concerned, as had he, but Tillie had known everything would be all right. The birth had been smooth, and Elizabeth had been an easy baby, whereas Daniel was a night owl. Even though his parents were tired, he liked to stay up at night, and it had taken them what felt like a millennia to finally train him to sleep at night and stay awake through the day.
Luca wouldn’t trade his life for anything.
He had both children on the ground and was tickling them, even as they screamed and he waited until they begged. Then, he let them up, only for them to attack him again.
In meetings, businessmen had gotten used to him appearing a little less than presentable.
He’d gone from being known as the beast of the boardroom, to the reasonable family man. Luca had even heard rumors that if someone attempted to insult him, that person had been told to shut up, that no one wanted the beast back.
Children had changed him, but not when it came to business. If he didn’t believe a company could be saved, then he was blunt with them and even offered their best options. He wasn’t made a fool of.