Chapter 8: Chapter 8: The Proposal

CADEN

Waking up next to my goddess and little man, I’m still in disbelief. I get up, and I throw on a shirt, and grab my phone. I walk out quietly and head downstairs into the kitchen.

The staff is already preparing breakfast as most of the kids and the parents are up. I grab a cup of coffee and walk to the backyard to call Jack.

“Man, it’s about fucking time you called me! What the hell happened?”

“It’s a long fucking story. Maybe we will stop by sometime and share it.”

“What the fuck you mean ~we~? Where are they?”

“In my bed upstairs.”

“Are you shitting me! They have been with you this whole time?”

“Yes, and the icing on the cake—she’s Frankie’s lost sister.”

“No fucking way!”

“Yeah, man! Why don’t you come out today? We are at the mansion!”

“I’ll be there around noon because you have got to fill me in!”

I hang up the phone and just look out over the pool and yard and can’t imagine being anywhere else.

I’m standing there drinking my coffee when I feel arms wrap around my waist and a goddess pressing her body to my back. I take her hand and pull her around to my front.

“How is my goddess this morning?”

“Wonderful!”

“Where’s my son at?”

“Inside eating breakfast.”

“Let’s go eat then, shall we? Jack is coming to visit around noon today!”

Eva’s face lights up at the news of Jack coming over.

We head inside where I see Nate sitting in a chair just watching me. As soon as I sit down, he picks up his plate to bring it over to me. I set it on the table, and he climbs in my lap to finish eating as I drink my coffee.

After breakfast, we go upstairs and get dressed then everyone comes together to do chores around the house to help out.

Mainly laundry, because with all these kids and adults in the house there’s a lot. Hence an extended laundry room with four washers and dryers.

The day goes by with the kids watching movies all morning. The adults have been talking in the front room while laundry is being done and folded.

Mr. and Mrs. Romano visit with Eva as if she is going to disappear again any moment. While we are helping, my phone rings and it’s the gate letting me know Jack is here. I give them the okay and hang up.

A few minutes later, the door flies open and Jack barges in. I walk over and give him a hug as Eva jumps up behind me and barrels into him, also giving him a hug. Jack is so caught off guard, he doesn’t know what to do.

Eva backs up as Nate comes up, grabbing my hand. I swoop down, picking him up, and asking if he remembers Jack from next door to his old house.

“Yes, I remember he’s your friend. You were at his house that day.”

“Yes, I was. That’s right.”

“Thank you, Jack, for knowing my dad.”

Jack looks back in shock as Nate wiggles around to be put down and runs off to go watch the movie some more.

We invite Jack in and Mr. and Mrs. Romano walk over, scolding Jack for not coming around often enough. He chuckles as he gives them hugs, and we all go sit in the kitchen.

“So, Eva, it’s great to see you and Nate so happy. You guys deserve it!”

“Thanks, Jack. We are very happy!”

“The crazy part is, you’re Frankie’s little sister? That’s nuts!”

“Yeah, it was quite a shock.”

While the day goes by, Jack sticks around for lunch and heads out around three in the afternoon.

I let Eva know our charity event starts at six this evening with dinner, so we should start getting ready to head out. We head up in the elevator, and I can see she’s nervous.

“What am I going to wear?”

“The dress and shoes are already set out in your room.”

She looks at me as the elevator doors open. I wink at her and walk away to my bedroom to start getting ready.

I jump in the shower and head into my closet with just a towel on. I start getting dressed in my solid black tux and put my holsters on before my suit jacket.

For Eva, I picked out a cream dress that is covered in rhinestones. Slits on both sides to her thigh with a sweetheart neckline and open back. Matched with cream heels.

Shit, my pants are starting to get tight, so that I need to adjust myself just thinking about it. I’m wrapping up getting ready, and I can hear arguing coming from downstairs. What the fuck is going on?

I toss on my shoes and run out of the room and down the stairs. Reaching the bottom, I see Eva, Frankie, and the rest of the Romanos all arguing.

“What the fuck is going on?” I yell.

“What the fuck is Eva wearing? That isn’t even a fucking dress! No way is my little sister wearing that shit!”

“Now, son, knock it off! Your sister looks gorgeous!” Gracie exclaims.

Fernando chimes in. “Bullshit! I agree with Frankie! My daughter can’t wear that shit!”

“Seriously, everyone! She’s fine!” I say. “Frankie, you and Tank are going with us. Don’t like the fucking dress, then keep your eye on her. Eva, baby, you look breathtaking! We need to get going.”

We start to head out the door where Tank is already waiting with the car. The moment we walk out the door toward the car, Tank has to add his two cents.

“Hey, Frankie, what the fuck is your sister wearing! You let her out in that shit?”

“Everyone shut the fuck up about the fucking dress and get in the damn car! We are going to be late!”

We load up and I can see certain people are pissed, but they need to get over it. It’s not like her tits and ass are hanging out. But at least the drive is quiet. We pull up and all get out as Tank tosses the keys to the valet.

We head toward the entrance, and I can see Tank and Frankie eyeing everyone. Eva and I walk side by side with my hand on her lower back, and Tank and Frankie are right behind us.

You know Frankie is right by Eva because Lord help anyone who even looks at her.

We walk in through the open doors, and we see the crowds around all the tables finding their seats. Frankie stays with us as Tank goes to see what table we are sitting at.

We slowly make our rounds as I introduce her to who’s important, and as we are walking around, I see her. She’s noticed Eva and me and has decided to drag her date over. I recognize him from her father’s company.

“Well, well, well, look who’s here…”

“What do you want, Natalia?”

“Just showing off what you missed out on! Jeff has me now, so there won’t be any more of us.”

“That’s good. Wouldn’t want you to get confused on names to yell during sex,” Eva says.

I start coughing and think, shit, Eva. Natalia just got seriously burned.

Natalia huffs and walks off, pissed, with Jeff in tow. He’s trying to figure out what Eva meant. What a sucker.

We walk over to the silent auction area and slowly walk around to see all the items that are up for auction. We make our way through the different tables. On one table, there are photos with info on pieces of jewelry.

I watch Eva’s reaction to the different jewelry. She stops at a ring, looking at the card. She shows me it, saying, “It’s beautiful!”

Tank comes up to us as she sets the card down and starts walking farther down. I lean over to Tank and point to the card. He nods and knows to do whatever it takes to get it. Eva continues to look but nothing else grabs her attention.

Tank leans over, saying he found our table, but we are sitting with Ortiz. Shit, I have a feeling this was set up by none other than Ortiz himself. I nod as we follow Tank over to the table that we are sitting at.

I pull out Eva’s chair for her to sit in and sit down next to her while Frankie sits on her other side. Tank goes to get us all drinks and comes back with three beers and a glass of wine.

People are starting to sit down when I get nudged by Tank. I look up and see Ortiz and his date sitting across from us with his right-hand men, Juan and Palo.

This guy changes dates like underwear, and they dress like they act. They hang all over him like he’s this amazing guy when, in truth, he is just a straight up asshole.

I have never liked him and the girls he chooses reflect his taste. Give them a couple glasses of wine and they show their true colors.

He looks over at me and nods. Then he looks over at Eva, and I can tell he’s having to adjust himself. He looks at his date and turns his attention straight back to Eva. What a fucking asshole he is. Like no one is going to notice.

I grab her chair and scoot it right next to mine and put my hand on her thigh. Frankie looks like he is going to blow as he stares at Ortiz. I can see Ortiz out of the corner of my eye, licking his lips, just staring at Eva.

Eva has been oblivious, but the moment she notices him staring at her, she tenses up and puts her hand on top of mine on her thigh. Frankie sees her stiffen and scoots so close to her, he might as well sit in her fucking lap.

Ortiz’s date looks at all of us and notices the tension, so she places her hand in his lap, trying to get Ortiz to pay attention to her. He mouths something, and she quickly withdraws her hand and just looks down at her lap.

She reaches up, taking a sip of her wine and trying to play the moment off. I can tell she is hurt, and I don’t blame her one bit.

The host of the event goes to the front, makes his opening speech, and announces the silent auction. He announces it will be ending at the end of the dinner, so Tank knows what his job is.

When the host is finished talking, the food is served and the room starts to get loud as people at the tables start talking among themselves. Tank gets up to go check on the ring and comes back with a smirk. We are still in the lead.

Ortiz turns toward me. “So, Maxwell, let’s talk, shall we? I know my trash has found an unfortunate end. My question is why?”

“Well, Ortiz, he didn’t talk about anything, so at least he was faithful to you. He just couldn’t keep his mouth shut about my girl and son.”

“Yes, we all know about his mouth. Except, see, now we have a problem. You took something of mine.”

“I doubt you or your business will suffer by losing him, so I don’t see the problem.”

“Well, it is a problem for me, and yet there’s a simple solution, I think.”

“Ok, amuse me. What is your solution?”

“I take something from you, and we call it even.”

“Not happening, Ortiz. So let’s try again.”

“We will see, Maxwell.”

“Come anywhere near me and my family, and I will deal with you myself.”

I see him wink at Eva, and she grabs my hand hard. I give the slightest nod, and in an instant, we hear guns unholster as they cock back under the table. My boys and his boys seem to be ready to throw down.

“Now is not the time to discuss this further. We are trying to have a lovely evening, Ortiz.”

I can hear guns being placed back. Tank stands back up and goes over to check the auction. People walk over to the tables and started writing stuff down on the papers. I see Tank slowly walk behind them then he walks back smiling.

When the dinner starts to wind down, there’s a last call for bids and Tank knows what his job is. He jumps up and walks over, watching like a hawk.

Eva talks to her brother, trying to keep him calm so we don’t have an incident. The whole time, Frankie is just staring at Ortiz.

The host walks up to the microphone and announces that all bids are closed as the cards are picked up. Tank comes over, giving me a smile, and I know my job is done.

As the staff makes their rounds, one comes over and lets us know about our win. Tank goes and takes care of the payment, and as he walks back toward us, I see him tap his pocket so I know we can leave.

I cannot get out of this place and away from this piece of shit at our table fast enough. I grab Eva’s hand and tilt my head to go. As we get up, I see Ortiz eyeing Eva and licking his lips. I think we’re in the clear, but Frankie has had enough.

“Stop looking at my little sister, you sick fucker.”

“Don’t worry, Frankie. When I have her, I’ll take good care of her.”

He winks at her, rubbing his junk under the table. I tense up, and Eva buries her face into my chest. I have no doubt she has an idea what Ortiz is doing. Frankie is fuming, ready to shoot up the place.

“Damn it, Frankie, let’s go. He won’t do shit here. Let’s just go!”

I place my hand at the base of Eva’s back, steering her toward the exit. We gotta get the fuck out of here.

The moment we step outside, Tank gives the valet our number, and we wait for our car to be brought around. We are standing there waiting, Eva huddled against me. I take my jacket off and place it around her shoulders to keep her warm.

From behind us, we hear Ortiz starting to talk again. “Eva, mi amor, I will be seeing you soon, my love.”

“Ortiz, I swear, keep it up and this will not end pretty.”

Our car pulls up, and Frankie opens the door so we can quickly get in. Tank jumps in, and we are off, heading back to the mansion.

“Tank and Frankie, I want Eva trained on using a gun and self-defense immediately.”

“Yes, boss.”

I take out my phone and call the jeweler. “Good, and you? I need trackers to be put on some jewelry. Can you meet me at the mansion? Yes, we will be there in an hour, and I will have everything for you to do it.”

I hang up the phone and shove it in my pocket. I tap Tank, and he hands me the box.

“Eva, baby, there’s a chance that Ortiz will come for you. We need to stay alert and be prepared. He has no kids yet, that we know of, to take over his empire, and chances are he wants you to produce an heir.

“If he even tries to take you, I will kill him. I don’t want to, but I will protect mine. If I do that and end up killing him, then I will take over his empire, which will change everything in my life. I don’t want to lose you or Nate.”

“Caden, you won’t lose us. We have to do what we have to do.”

I grab her, pulling her to me, crashing my lips on hers. I slowly release her, then I press my forehead to hers.

“Eva, baby…man, I fucking love you!”

“Caden, I love you too.”

I feel a tear start to run down my face, then she wipes it away. I look at her and explain why we will be adding the trackers on her jewelry. She looks at me, puzzled.

“I only have the necklace. I don’t have anything else.”

I take out the box and open it, and she gasps, covering her mouth.

“Oh my goodness, Caden! It’s the ring from the auction!”

“Please be mine, Eva. Marry me! I know it won’t be for a while, and that’s fine. I can’t lose you or Nate.”

She just nods, and I slip it on her finger. She stares at it as we sit, holding each other all the way to the mansion.

When we arrive, I have Eva go upstairs to get her necklace and bring it down. All the kids are already sleeping, so the adults are downstairs waiting for us.

A few minutes go by, then she comes back downstairs and hands her jewelry over. I’m sitting and watching the jeweler adding the trackers when I have everyone come into the front room, including the parents.

“We need to stay inside as much as possible. Ortiz has already made it clear that he possibly is coming for Eva. She will be trained, and we know what the procedures are if the alarms by the gate are activated and start going off.

“Things have changed lately with my losing my cool and killing her ex-boyfriend. So, if shit goes down and we have to take Ortiz out, our empire will expand and not in the way I ever imagined.”

I can hear Gracie start to cry, so I stand up and make my way over to them.

“Gracie and Fernando, I swear on everything that I will keep her safe. Fernando, if I take over Ortiz’s empire, I will need help. It will be like living a life I never planned on, and I know you were the best.

“I know you got out a long time ago, and I’ve prided myself on not having that lifestyle. This shit has gotten out of hand tonight. He wants her because I killed her ex-boyfriend who worked for him.

“Now he wants payback. This evening, I asked your daughter to marry me, and she said yes.

“It was a spur-of-the-moment thing as I had originally planned on waiting until after I talked to you, but since we are here in the situation, I’m having trackers put on her jewelry just in case.”

“You know I will help! We know you love her and our grandson. We would have given our blessing in a heartbeat to you.”

I pull them in for a tight hug, then I walk back over to the jeweler. He wraps up the ring and hands it to me with the tracking number. Tank runs and gets his laptop so he can input the tracking numbers into our database.

I hand him the number and Eva the ring. When she looks at it intensely, then up at me, I let out a chuckle and flip it over, showing her a little mark on the inside of the band.

“The tracker is right inside that little slit. Then covered with metal and smoothed.”

Her eyes get wide in amazement at how it could even fit. She puts the ring on as we are handed her necklace. I give Tank that tracking number and hand Eva the necklace.

As Tank gets everything entered, Frankie hands the jeweler my card to pay for everything. He runs the payment, then loads up his briefcase and starts to walk to the front door.

“So, Mr. Maxwell, does this mean we will be seeing more of each other?”

“I have a feeling we will.”

We are standing there talking when we hear the elevator ding. We all stop to listen, and I hear little footsteps hitting the floor.

Nate comes around the corner holding his lion. He runs up and jumps into my arms, hugging me around my neck.

Eva takes him from me, and they head back upstairs. After letting the jeweler out, I make my way to my room. I enter and see Nate asleep in my bed. Eva’s dress and my jacket are lying on the chair, and my shower is running.

I quickly put my guns in my safe, shutting it and making sure it locks. I go into the bathroom and shut the door, locking it. I strip off my tux and know Eva must have seen me. I am standing there in my boxers just watching her.

She gives me a come-hither motion with her finger, and I quickly strip my boxers off. I step inside the shower, and she slowly walks up to me, pushing me back against the wall.

She kisses my chest and slowly makes her way down my abs. She grabs my hard shaft and starts stroking me up and down.

“Fuck, Eva!”

She slams her mouth down around my cock, and my head goes back against the wall. I grab her hair and start pushing myself in and out slowly.

She takes it like a fucking champ as I pump harder and faster a few more times before spilling my cum down the back of her throat.

I feel her slip off my cock. She slowly stands back up, wiping her mouth off, and she looks so fucking sexy.

I step forward, grabbing her by both thighs, lifting her up, and slamming her against the wall. I position myself and plunge her down onto my hard shaft and start pounding in and out, hitting her just right.

She starts moaning faster and faster, and I can feel her grabbing at my arms. I take her breast into my mouth, nibbling on her hardened nipple as I pound frantically in and out of her dripping core.

She wraps her arms around my neck, trying to hold on for dear life. I leave her breast and bury my face by her cheek so I can whisper in her ear.

“Eva, I want you to come all over my fucking cock!”

She clenches down hard, screaming my name, shaking in my arms while I continue to thrust in and out, spilling myself inside her. I hold her with my head resting on her shoulder as she trembles in my arms, coming down from her high.

“Fuck, Eva, I love you so much!”

“I love you, too, Caden.”

“Let’s get out of here and go to sleep. It’s been a long fucking night, and I just want to have you and Nate sleeping in my arms.”