Book1: The Mafia's father and daughter duo

1

To many people, family is a source of love and care. The place you can run home to and feeling comforted by. The idea of always having a family to lean back on will always appeal to those who struggle constantly. After years of service to the mafia, I've always believed these guys are all the family I need; or ever have. The idea of a wife and children was always a distant dream for me. And even then, I could never imagine being responsible for someone else's life like that. The men I teach are grown and strong, ready to defend themselves. A child though, is completely different. A whole new responsibility.

"So how's little Isaac?" I ask Liam.

In the past year, Liam and I have been more busy with work and family life. Since Isobel, his wife, gave birth, I've had to fill in more as the underboss, and go on daily trips to the shops for chocolate before Isobel throws a fit.

While I love Isobel dearly, this past year has been extremely hard on her. With the stressful pregnancy with her husband as a mafia boss and carrying his heir. And afterwards the postpartum depression after giving birth to their son.

Isaac is his son, who's six months old. The heir to the mafia and my nephew, he's a pale little boy with blue eyes and soft brown hair. He's always got a cheeky grin spread across his chubby little face. The boy is like my own son. Together we chase the guards around the house and cause chaos on a daily basis.

"He's teething now. Little shit bit me yesterday!" Liam responds while taking a sip of whiskey while showing me the bite mark on his hand.

I spit my drink out laughing at the obvious annoyance in his voice and the size of the mark. That little fucker could pass for a vampire. Another thing about Isaac, he's a complete and total pain in the ass; thanks to yours truly.

"Don't fucking laugh, Isobel did enough of that for everyone." He grumbles.

"And does the scary misses know your here?" I question.

Ever since they got married she goes mental whenever he goes to a strip club. Growing up with an adulterous father and a depressed mother made her that way, and while Liam respects her feeling, half our business is strip clubs. Thank god I have nothing holding me back like he does.

"You think I'd still have my cock if she did?" We both chuckles but it's cut short as his phone rings. He pulls it out and answers the call.

"Yeah James. What? Are you sure? We're on our way!" He ends the call and stands up, "come on, there's a problem at the compound."

"What sort of problem?" I ask as we get into the black SUV as our driver, Oscar, takes off back home.

Oscar sped through the traffic like a maniac on crack, assuming whatever's going on is definitely worth the risk of crashing the car.

"It's Lyla, she's looking for you. And it's not good." I try and think of why she would be at the compound, she left a week after we hooked up, so why did she come back? And looking for me?

We pull up outside the compound and walk through the front door. I see Lyla sat on the sofa with half the men stood there watching her every move. She looked different from when I last saw her. Her cheeks were more hollow, but she had put on more weight, that the drugs made visible from her skinny figure everywhere but her torso.

"What do you want?" I ask her as she looks up at me.

"I can't do it! Just take her! I'm not cut out for this!"
She says as she goes to leave. I stop her by grabbing her arm and she responds by slapping my face.

The rage I swallow down on a daily basis came flying to the top of my throat. Instantly I grabbed her by her frail neck and slammed her against the wall. Her breathing was cut off straight away, as she panicked and struggled for air.

"I SAID WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT!?"

"Ryan!" Liam yells, I turn to face him.

There has been few times where Liam has yelled for my attention when my anger got the better of me. I could feel the veins in my head and neck bulging with my rage in the moment. Slowly turning around, I faced Liam as my grip slightly loosened on Lyla's throat.

"What?" I grit out from between my teeth, yet he isn't looking at me.

I turn my gaze to where he is looking a find Isobel. But she's holding a tiny baby girl. The baby was clearly newborn, with flattened blonde hair laying softly on her head. She was snuggled into Isobel's chest as she was warmed by the violet baby swaddle comforted her in her sleep.

"I can't do it anymore, just take her" Lyla pleads, barley audible due to the slipping away air.

"And I'm just meant to believe she's my kid!" I say, tightening the hold on her throat. "I want a DNA test!"

"Ryan darling, we used your toothbrush and already did one. She's yours." Isobel tells me as she walks closer.

Out of fear, I back away. The idea of actually having a child of my own was beyond horrifying. And I'm ashamed to say that the thought of leaving crossed my mind. But then Lyla's words registered in my head, and I knew she was planning on abandoning the child herself.

I can't leave this innocent baby girl all alone in this world.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by a whimper. I turn to look at Lyla and see her looking anywhere but the baby. Dropping my hand from her neck, I let her purple faced body fall to the floor and collapse into a ball of a sobbing mess.

"What's her name?" I ask her.

"Kylie McKlee  her birthday is the 23rd of August. Please just let me go, I can't be a mother." She pleads.

"Leave." I tell her. By now the men in the room have all left, Lyla soon follows after. Now it's just me, Liam, Isobel and the baby.

"Do you want to hold her?" Isobel asks as she approaches me. I back away once again. "I can't. I don't want to hurt her." I say, my gaze never leaving the baby.

"Oh grow a pair and take your child!" She orders.

I do as she says as she places the baby in my arms. I only know how to hold a baby because of Isaac, but this is all new to me. The rush of love I feel as I watch her snuggle into my chest.

Her eyes open as she stares back at me. Eyes matching mine. The crystal blue. For a second I think she's going to cry, but then her small chubby hand reaches out and touches my face. Her fingers stroke along my beard as she looks up at me.

For the first time in my life tears pool in my eyes. I look up at Liam and Isobel who watch us in awe. The tear of joy falls down my cheek, "She's perfect."

Liam makes his way over to me with Isobel as they both look down at her. "The Mafia's little princess." Liam mutters as he strokes her cheek.

"My little princess."