Ticket to Verona

Bonus chapter 3

~Leo

"So, it's decided, we move the shipment on Friday night instead of tomorrow and then hand it over to the buyer." I stated.

"Yeah, we'll do it together, my men can support in security the whole way as well." Nikolai nodded.

"Seb and Killian, I want both of your teams on this as well, Enzo on standby if we need backup."

Enzo nodded at my request. "We'll be prepped and ready at the warehouse if needed."

"Well, then I guess-"

The sound of the door opening made me pause. I couldn't see who they were as all of the men were in front of me.

"Who is it? You are not meant to enter without permission." I said a bit louder, my voice stern.

"Sorry." A small voice whispered.

I recognised that voice anywhere.

I stood up from my desk, now able to see over the men's heads.

"Essie, baby?" I softened my voice at the sight of my five year old daughter.

She turned to me, her stuffed giraffe in her hand.

"Papa." She mumbled, looking down and playing with one of the ears of the giraffe.

I knelt down to her height and opened my arms. She walked into my arms and stuffed her little face in the crook of my neck.

"Did I scare you, sweetheart?" I whispered and felt even worse at the small nod I got in response.

"I'm so sorry, baby girl. Do you wanna sit here with me and your uncles?"

She lifted her head off of my shoulder and gave me a small smile. Taking that as a yes, I walked back to my desk and rejoined the meeting.

Essilie sat happily on my lap, tracing the tattoos that littered my arms. I gave her the colouring book and felt tip pens I always kept in my draw and she stayed quiet, completely focused on colouring the two giraffes on the page.

Yeah, she loves giraffes, can you tell?

After around half an hour of discussions, the meeting came to a close and all of the men said their goodbyes and left swiftly.

Essilie turned her head to look up at me, pulling slightly at my loosened tie. I looked down to see her pointing at her now completed colouring sheet, only a few instances showing where she had not coloured inside the lines.

"That's so pretty, baby. Should we go and show mama?" I asked, quite eager to go and see Aria myself.

She nodded, grabbing her stuffed giraffe and hopping off of my lap. I grabbed her colouring sheet and held her hand in my other.

It must be quite comical, seeing a giant like myself walking next to my daughter, who is every bit as perfect as her mother.

We walked through to the library and found Aria and the boys in there. She had decided to teach them how to play piano and all of them are very eager.

"So, now you play this note here," Aria said to Orson and Arlo, who were sitting on either side of her. Luca was sitting on the beanbag in the corner, reading one of his superhero comics.

I cleared my throat to get her attention and she turned to me, a big grin adorning her face.

"Dad!" The two youngest boys jumped up off of the piano stool and ran over to hug my legs.

"I missed you too." I laughed. Even though it's only been about 5 hours since I last saw them.

I trudged through the doorway, closing the door after me. Essilie was still in my arms and the boys were attached to my legs, Orson on my left and Arlo on my right. They were laughing hysterically as I walked, moving them as well with every step.