Chapter 14

Ethan's POV

I wasn't prepared for the human storm that hit my office that afternoon. Before it came, I was standing behind my desk, with a glass of brandy in my hands, staring out the French windows at the busy downtown sight.

I owned almost half of the city, but sometimes the thought of it made me sad instead of elated.

The mafia lifestyle was demanding. It took the best out of you and made you neglect the things that truly made you happy, leaving you nothing but a shell of your former, happier self. I'd been born into this life: from my cradle I'd been taught that I existed simply to move our family legacy forward. Forge alliances with other mafia families, trade and smuggle ammo and other forbidden goods, buy more property to add to the family's already sprawling estate: the list went on. I'd never been given the opportunity to pursue my own singular interest, but for as long as I could remember, I'd wanted to have children of my own and raise them free of the burdens that came wit