Chapter 16: Chapter 16: The Party

CADEN

The next morning, we are up early making phone calls for jump houses, water slides, and entertainment for the kids. We call caterer after caterer to no avail. No one is available on such short notice.

I find one local caterer that has a little Mexican restaurant nearby but is hesitant to feed five hundred people at the last minute. I explain they will be well compensated and give them my name.

I am trying to talk to them when Eva grabs my phone from me.

“Look, this is Eva Romano, the queen. We need food since we are having a large get-together. You can either do it or not. My king said you would be well compensated.

“Even if you close for the day, we will make it worth it by paying more than you would ever make in a day!”

She nods a few times, smiling at me, and hangs up. I just look at her, confused.

“They are coming and will be here at three this afternoon to set up. Apparently, they know my name from what I did yesterday and don’t want to piss me off.”

The sense of pride I feel right now is like no other! My baby has a reputation in the town one day after taking out Ortiz.

I’m looking at her in adoration when I hear little footsteps running and see Nate coming with his lion to jump in my lap. He jumps up and snuggles in as we see what else we can have ready for this afternoon.

“What about ponies? Can we have ponies?”

“Let’s see, little man!”

I look up someone local on my phone. I make a phone call and they are available. Perfect! We will have shit set up for the kids all over this estate.

“All right, Nate, we will have ponies!”

“Thanks, Daddy, you’re the best!”

He quickly runs off to who knows where, probably the entertainment room to watch movies with the other kids. Everyone is getting ready when I make one last call. To the jeweler.

“Mr. Maxwell, how can I help you?

“I need to replace the necklace and engagement ring. Can you replicate them?”

“Of course! I can have my team work on it and deliver them this evening.”

“Sounds good. When you get here, just find Tank or Frankie and they will get you paid.”

After I hang up the phone, I cannot wait to get the day underway. The day goes by slowly. We see the DJ arrive and start to set up. My guys start showing up first with their families, and I have them park in front.

We set up rows of cars so everyone can park and file in. Since we have all the activity going on, people are parking and setting up in the back.

Eva and I greet everyone when they show up while Frankie and Tank watch the kids playing so it doesn’t get out of hand.

We see kids playing, parents enjoying themselves, and everyone visiting with each other. We see the newer families show up, and I motion for Eva to come over.

Jesus shows up with his family and the others from Ortiz. I can see he’s a little reserved, and I don’t blame him.

I don’t know how Ortiz treated his men, but I am not that type of person. I reach out and shake his hand, pulling him in for a hug.

“Jesus, please do not be nervous. We will never do you wrong! Serve under me as a right-hand man. I want you and your family to move here to the estate.

“I take care of mine and want you to understand this. I don’t know how Ortiz treated his men, but I can’t imagine it was very good.”

I can see his wife start to get emotional as Eva jumps in and comforts her. They walk off with the kids to go have fun while I address the rest of my new men.

“Have fun and enjoy yourselves! This is your new family, and if you are ever in need, don’t hesitate to ask. I am not Ortiz. I take care of mine, and my men will never need anything.”

I see all the men nod and walk past me to go and mingle with everyone. I turn and look at my new empire. While I am standing there, I feel a hand pat my back and turn to see Vinny.

“Vinny, my man, you came!”

“Of course, man! I gotta visit with my family! We can meet this week to start ironing out details.”

“Sounds good! We decided to have the wedding next month, then a honeymoon and vacation.”

“Sounds good. Between me, Fernando, and Frankie, we can watch stuff. You guys deserve some time away.”

“Man, I can’t thank you enough! It’s still unreal how crazy this is happening.”

He reaches out and shakes my hand, then he walks off, visiting and making his rounds. I stand there looking out at our empire and thinking how much our lives are going to change.

I see everyone visiting as new members come and introduce themselves to me. I doubt I will remember everyone’s names right away, but I will try.

I see my goddess walking my way with my little man and can’t help but smile at how lucky I am.

“Daddy! Can you take me on the ponies, please?”

“Of course, little man. Let’s go!”

I pick him up, give Eva a kiss and smile, walking with Nate toward the ponies. We stand in line waiting for our turn.

I look at Nate and just love seeing the excitement on his face. He turns toward me, catching me watching him and smiles, wrapping his arms around my neck.

“I love you, Daddy!”

“I love you, too, little man! More than you will ever know!”

When it is his turn, I set him on the pony. I walk next to him as the ponies walk forward and can see how excited he is. After his turn is up, he gets down and runs off with Tank and Frankie in tow.

Time goes by, then I see the food vendor starting to set up and make my way over. I find the head guy and thank him for showing up on such short notice. As I’m chatting, Eva comes over to take over, helping them as they get organized.

I head over to where the DJ is and ask if he has a microphone I can use to talk. He nods his head, quickly hands me the microphone, and turns down the music.

“Everyone, can I please get your attention. Can my queen and my son, Nate, come join me.”

I wait for them to walk over, and I pick Nate up and hold him.

“We cannot thank you enough for everyone coming out! It means so much to us to have extended our family! Each and every one of you and your family is important to us and this family.”

“This empire will grow and thrive all because of you. From Eva, our son Nate, and me, Caden, your new boss, I thank you for your dedication, loyalty, and service to this family.”

“To the king and queen!”

I turn to Eva and grab her by her waist and crash my lips to hers, which gets cheering and whistling from the crowd. We visit as evening comes and people start leaving. We know our real work will start tomorrow.

I sit at a table with Nate on my lap, snuggling. Eva and the ladies come and sit down also.

“Eva, we will be getting married next month. You and the ladies plan everything as I will have business to deal with during this time. Plan the wedding and honeymoon.

“After we get back, we will work some and then take a much-needed family vacation!”

I see the women squeal with delight, along with Eva. They instantly start thinking of colors, the venue, and all that fun stuff. I continue chatting with everyone at the table as Frankie points toward Nate.

I look down at my son, and he is passed out. I start to move, and he stirs and starts to wake up, so I just lean back. He slowly falls back asleep. I love it when he sleeps on me.

When people start to leave, they shake my hand, and I tell them we will be in touch this week to get everything sorted out. Jesus walks up with his family to say their goodbyes.

“Jesus, man, thanks for coming! I’m serious about you moving in here. If you need help moving, let me know. We will get it set up so it’s easy for you guys.”

“Mr. Maxwell, I appreciate it. We will get packed and let you know when we are ready. Maria cannot wait to be here with the other ladies.”

“We are excited to have you here with the kids!”

They wave to everyone and start walking away as we slowly end the evening. I get up with Nate and shift him so he’s sleeping on my shoulder.

I turn and walk over to the food vendor, and when the couple who owns it walk up to meet me, I pull out an envelope and hand it to them. When they open it, they look at me, wide-eyed.

“There’s twenty grand in there. I told you I would make it worth your time, as I know it was very last minute. I’m hoping we can work together again in the future.

“I know we will be doing more events, and as the food was such a hit today, I’m hoping you will be available next month for our wedding. Get in touch with my fiancée, and she will let you know the details.”

The wife hugs me, crying, as the man shakes my hand.

“Sir, you have no clue what this means. We were having difficulties making ends meet and were talking about closing at the end of this month. This saves us and our family.”

“Well, as long as we are here, we will need you! Since you know who my wife is, we will be having a lot of events going on.”

They nod their heads and celebrate with their crew as they finish packing up. I head back over to the table and grab Eva to head inside.

Tank gets up and whispers in my ear, “The goods are in your room.”

I just nod as we slowly walk toward the house. We’re all exhausted, and I let my men finish dealing with the crowd. I walk in with Eva, and we head up the stairs to our new room.

When we walk in, I set Nate on the bed and grab the bag on the dresser, turning around to hand it to Eva. She just looks with her eyes wide as she pulls out the cases and sees her jewelry.

“I had them replaced today.”

She starts crying and wraps her arms around me. I lower my head and kiss the top of her head.

“Let’s head to bed because we will be very busy next month.”

She lets out a giggle and makes her way to change and get Nate changed.

The one-month countdown begins now.