The billionaire's only desire-Chapter 59: the real competition

Maya gaped, her mouth hanging open. "Your dad was in the Mafia!" she whispered, struggling to suppress the urge to shout it out. All the time she joked about Dalton being in the Mafia, it turned out to be a real thing. No wonder everyone feared him.

’He is really a dangerous man,’ Maya thought repeatedly to herself.

"So, are you also in the Mafia like your dad was?" Maya asked.

Dalton shook his head to debunk it and didn’t elaborate as he sipped his iced tea.

Maya was a bit stunned and confused. "Shouldn’t you have inherited your father’s position? Aren’t statuses in the Mafia hereditary? Or is that just something fictional I picked up from watching ’The Godfather’ a million times?"

"You are not wrong. I was supposed to succeed my father, but there was a major attack from the enemy, and the entire Mafia clan was wiped out," Dalton reveals.

"Wait, does that mean your dad’s death wasn’t an accident? He was murdered?" Maya deduced.

"Yes, as the accountant or bookkeeper for the Mafia clan, he got caught in the crossfire." Dalton paused to finish his iced tea before continuing. His tone became more melancholic as he spoke. "I also got caught in the crossfire. They were the ones responsible for my kidnapping. They only wanted me, but Aiden happened to be there for a sleepover that day, so they took him as well. I had suggested the sleepover, and if I hadn’t, Aiden wouldn’t have been kidnapped, tortured, and abused like I was."

Maya’s eyes got teary. She dropped the fork and pushed the plate away. "You’re blaming yourself for this as well."

Dalton clenched his fist around the empty glass of iced tea and lamented in a crackly voice, "I’m not blaming myself. As much as I love my father, I do hold him slightly responsible for what happened. If he had been a regular accountant instead of a bookkeeper for that Mafia boss and his clan, Aiden and I wouldn’t have lost our childhood, and he wouldn’t have died, leaving me fatherless."

Maya stroked his back to comfort him. She didn’t know the right words to say to heal his trauma.

"You got too excited about the pancakes, only to leave them half-eaten," Mrs. Thompson scolded, interrupting the heavy emotional atmosphere between Maya and Dalton. She returned and was standing behind the counter.

Maya rubbed her stomach and said, "I’m full. I think we need to go; we’re running late for work."

She stood up, and Dalton did the same. He took out his wallet to pay for their breakfast, but Mrs. Thompson declined. "Maya is" family, and since you’re her partner, that makes you family too. Family doesn’t pay for meals."

"Thanks," Dalton said as he pushed his wallet back into his pocket.

"Thank you for the meal," Maya said as she went behind the counter and planted a kiss on Mrs. Thompson’s cheek. "I wish we could stay longer and have a proper chat with you, but Dalton is a busy man, and I need to be at the restaurant."

Mrs. Thompson grumbled, "Two peas in a pod, two workaholics. Who is influencing whom? I fear for your future children. Having two workaholics as parents will be so depressing for them."

Maya’s face flushed. She had not yet fantasized about having children with Dalton or even getting engaged or married. Now, she was going to have a sleepless night, dreaming about marrying Dalton and starting a family with him.

"You two better start taking time off work and learn how to be a fun couple for the sake of my future grandkids!"

"We will," Dalton said.

Maya giggled and covered her eyes, feeling embarrassed. "I will bring Dalton for dinner when we both have time," Maya promised as she said goodbye to Miss Thompson.

***

In the car, as Maya was buckling her seat belt, Dalton said, "Mrs. Thompson is right. We should do fun things as a couple, like having date nights once a week."

Maya grinned. "Perfect!"

"I’m sorry for trauma dumping on you," Dalton apologized. "I shouldn’t have dampened your mood with all that terrible stuff. I want to make you smile when you’re with me, not make you feel gloomy." He gently stroked her face.

Maya took his hand, which was caressing her face, and kissed his fingers. "Don’t feel bad for opening up to me about your trauma. You have carried and resolved all my burdens, and I wish I could do the same for you. Unfortunately, I can’t. The only thing I can offer is comfort when you share your trauma with me. Let me share your pain." She kissed him, a passionate and comforting kiss.

With their heads still pressed together, Dalton said against Maya’s lips, "I love you."

Maya took a breath and replied, "I love you more."

****

Maya now works at the restaurant for five and a half days each week. Today is Tuesday, which happens to be her half-day at work. She finishes her shift right before sunset on Tuesdays.

After returning from the restaurant, she began preparing dinner. She was making Sheet pan lemon balsamic chicken, and potatoes.

All the brothers were at home, including Dalton, so it was going to be a happy family dinner. Maya was joyful as she prepared the meal with love.

"Can I help?" Dalton draped his arms around Maya’s waist from behind.

Maya let out a satisfying breath as Dalton’s lips nuzzled her neck. She loved the feeling of his lips on her skin. "No, I’m almost done," she said, her lips spreading into a smile as she stirred together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, olives, lemon juice, pepperoncini, basil, and dill in a small bowl. She was making an olive brine for the topping. The potatoes and chicken were already in the oven.

"Sister-in-law," the brothers announced as they entered the kitchen. Maya felt shy and wanted to pull away from Dalton, but he kept his arms around her waist, not giving her a chance to escape.

"Oops, are we interrupting something?" River whistled, being a menace as usual.

The color in Maya’s cheeks deepened.

"The kitchen smells like heaven," Oliver hummed cheerfully.

"What are you making?" Aiden asked.

"Sheet Pan Lemon Balsamic Chicken and potatoes," Maya replied.

"Yummy," Oliver smacked his lips.

"We need a good wine to accompany this meal. I’m going to the cellar to find one," Aiden made his exit.

A beeping sound echoed from the kitchen, prompting Maya to wriggle away from Dalton. "I need to take the chicken and potatoes out of the oven," she fetched the baking gloves and put them on.

As she was taking out the chicken and potatoes, a girly thrilled voice startled her. She paused, heaved up, and turned to see a woman in the kitchen.

"That’s where you boys are! Since when has the kitchen become your new hangout spot?" the woman said with a hint of amusement.

Maya’s gaze shifts to Dalton, as she looks deeply into his eyes. His green eyes have softened, revealing a hint of affection. "Charlotte," he calls out the woman’s name.

Charlotte runs into Dalton’s arms.

Maya went stiff, her stomach dropping. She was trying to suppress the wrenching pain in her heart, but she lost the battle as a pang of jealousy tugged painfully at her chest, crippling her.

"You look more handsome than I remember. What’s your secret, cousin?" Charlotte said, ruffling Dalton’s hair.

Maya’s jealousy was replaced by anxiousness. ’Cousin?’ She is the one Soraya spoke of—the person Dalton loves as much as his brothers, and it wasn’t a lie. Dalton was looking at his cousin affectionately. Maya feared that Charlotte might not like her, and she could lose Dalton.

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