Why did I tell her about Sara? It's not because we're business parterens, so why did I tell her?

Looking at my watch, it shows one ten. I only have an hour left and William hasn't shown up yet. I called him on my way here and he did say that he was coming. I need to know something about Amanda. I don't know if it's something I said that made her upset, but I haven't seen her for two weeks. I mean, a text or something would be nice.

"You wanted nothing?"

"What?" I asked, focusing on the girls trying to turn me on which doen't work.

"In the section where you could have anything you could want from Antonelli enterprise, you wrote 'nothing.'" Niki stated.

"And your point?" I asked, looking at her as I took another sip from my drink.

"Correct me if I'm wrong but the past owners of our companies always wanted something."

"They were straight men that only wanted money, power, and frame from the business," I explained. "I don't want anything out of the business but that we work together."

"Then," Niki said, signing the contract and then placing it aside. "What does Mr. Colten Donvan want in general?"

You on my lap begging me to take you.

I wanted Niki. This beautiful woman in front of me. I wanted her, but I just couldn't. I have Sara. I have Amanda to find. I have to deal with my father. Have many things to do and having Niki is something I can't have just yet. Hell, she might not even want me.

"What I want," I said, standing up. "Is whatever you want. As business partners, you have the first and final say. After all, it was your blood that stated and built the company to where it is now."

"Colten," she said, standing up with guilt in her eyes. "If I said anything that-"

"You didn't say anything wrong, love," I said, taking her hand. "Its that I'm a horrible father and there's no doubt that she's waiting to see if I kept my promise."

And there I go again. Saying something I shouldn't be saying. What is this woman doing to me?

Not wanting to leave, I pulled her close to me. Our lips only inches apart. Our breath against each other, waiting. Waiting for the other to make the move. The press will soon find out that we're business parterens. What if the press find out that we're fucking everytime we meet up? Who cares, I'd say, but I suppose to be changing for Sara.

Giving up, I pressed my lips against her cheek, chuckling after hearing her sigh.

"You just met me, my love. What if I'm a criminal?"

"The press would've called you out on it." Niki said, looking away.

"Niki, we have to stay-"

Before I could finish, one of my guards walked in. Getting pissed because I was interrupted, I turned to see Arianna.

"Is Sara okay?"

"She is sir, but there's a manner that must be discussed immediately," She demanded. "And it's good to finally meet you, Ms. Antionelli."

"You must be Arianna."

"Niki, I have to-"

"You don't have to explain. It's your daughter," she said, walking towards the door. "Just dont forget about me."

"How could I?"

Blowing a teasing kiss, Niki was out of the door and dancing her way back to her friends. Looking up at me, the thought of ripping that dress off her body and fucking her breathless was all I wanted. That was until I remembered Arianna.

"You could've called. You know how I feel about her being here," I said, without facing her. "Where is she?"

"Star took her to the kitchen," she said, standing next to me. "You need to call your cousin, Colten."

"I have many cousins, Arianna," I said, facing her. "Which one are you referring to?"

"Alborto."

"No." I said, walking away.

"There is no choice, Colton. This is to protect Sara."

"She is protected. It's the reason why we moved."

"Colten, William came to my house. Multiple gunshot wounds in his body."

"Is her-"

"I had him rushed to the hospital," she said. "But he informed me that Matteew Collen has your daughter targeted."

Matthew Collen is or was one of my father's business parterens. My father never liked him but dealt with him. As a child, Matthew was a role model that my father never was. I actually made a make believe life and Mathew was my father. Things changed once my father ended the contract with them and crushed his company to the ground. After that, I never heard from him again until now. Now that he has my daughter as a target. I try to change my ways to be a good father, but something always has to happen for me to go back to what I've hated the most.

Taking my daughter's safely to heart, I call my cousin and use to be right hand man. After three failed attempts to get through them, I lost it. I throw all my glasses and flip the table. I threw everything and made sure that nothing touched Ariana. Calming down, I took a deep breath.

"Is he... is he in town?"

"Yes."

"Get the driver to bring my car around," I breathed. "Have my driver take you, Star, and Sara to the safe house."

"Colten," she said as I walked off. "She wants to see you."

Sighing, I held my hand on the door before I did anything.

Growing up, becoming a mafia leader was something I've wanted. It meant everything until three years ago. Making a vow to myself and to Sara, my mafia life was never supposed to come back. I had killed that part of myself for Sara's sake, but here I am. Making orders as a mafia leader. She'll never understand and will grow up to hate me, but her hating me is what I'll choose than to watch her be put in the ground.

"Please get everything done," I said, opening the door. "And no matter what, do not go back to the house."

Nodding, I walk off. Having to get to the kitchen to see Sara, I had to go through the crowd. Because of this, My guards pushed them away. It was Niki's look that made me change courses.

"Is everything okay?"

"No and it's best to keep it that way," I said, forcing myself not to touch her. "I have to go."

"So what? No goodbye kiss?" she asked, jolly.

"I would put you on this bar and have everyone in this club watch me fuck you if it didnt mean I'd be putting a target on your back."

"Colten. I was only-"

"I know, Niki," I said, grabbing her hand. "I'm regretting saying this already, but it's you. You asked me what I wanted and I wanted you."

"Then have me," she said, holding my face. "I'll be yours."

"You can't, Niki," I said, grabbing her other hand. "I had to make a choice. I made it just now."

"Then choose her. She's your daughter." Niki said, her eyes glistening.

"I can still do both, but I can not be in a relationship with you," I said, feeling my phone ring. "I'll see you on Monday."

To make sure that I wouldn't kiss her, I walked off. The fact that someone or something broke her to the type of woman she is now, hurts me. It pains me because I'm doing the same thing, but this is to protect her and keep me focused on my daughter. If I can't and if it doesnt scare her, I'll change things and try to work 'us' out.

Getting to the kitchen, Sara jumps from Star's arms and runs towards me.

"What's going on, daddy?" she asked as I picked her up.

"There's something bad going on and I have to take care of it."

"What about our weekend dates?"

"Think about it and tell Ari," I said as Arianna and several bodyguards walked in. "Daddy has to go but I need you to listen to Ari, okay?"

"When will I see you again?" she asked as I passed her over to Arianna.

"Soon," I said, taking my keys out. "Daddy just has to set things up."

Kissing the top of her head, I pulled back to see her crying. Not wanting to waste anymore time that I already lost, I dried her tears and walked off. I wanted nothing but to hold her in my arms, but the longer I waited to get things in order, the sooner Mathew would come and take her away from me.

Climbing into my car and driving off before reporters could trap me, I drove off. Racing down the highway, I try calling Alborto and after three tries, he picks up.

"Didnt you get the hint when I didn't pick up the first time?"

"I need the keys." I hurriedly said.

"In case you forgot-"

"Damn it, Alborto! I need the fucking keys!"

Where are you right now?" he asked as I swerved between two cars and almost got hit by an 18- wheeler.

"On my way to your house."

"Meet me at Nathen's place. I gave it to him."

"Fine," I said, hanging up. "Call Dallas."

Dallas is the only family that's close to Sara. She's also her mother's sister.

"Do you know what time it is, Colten?" she answered.

"You told me once that you knew about the Collen family." I said, going through the exit towards Nathen's house.

"Yeah," she yawned. "I helped Mathew while he was working with your father but then left when the company went downhill. Why?"

"Well, I don't know what I've done to piss the bastard off," I said as I drove down the street. "But I just learned that he has a target on my daughter."

"Colten. Your father may be dumb and stupid, but he had connections to keep the Collen family out of the state," Dallas explained. "If any of them come to the state, they'll have a target on their backs."

"Well, I'm thinking that they already do," I said, arriving at Nathen's house and seeing Alborto pulling up. "William has been shot."

After Sara was born, I needed people I could trust to help me raise her and because she was a girl, she needed a mother figure. It was always Arianna, Star, or Dallas. I trusted those girl more than anything when it came to protecting my daughter and I still do.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Go back to sleep," I said, climbing out as Nathen walked out. "I'll call you when something comes up."

Hanging up, I meet up with Nathe and Alborto. The only thing I needed was my key that held everything I used to be.

"We don't even know if he's in the state." Nathen sighed.

"But what we do know is that he has a target on my daughter's back."

"You do know what's going to happen if we do this, right?" Alborto asked.

"If it means keeping my daughter safe, then I'll do it."

"Alright then," Nathen sighed. "I'll make the call then."

"But at lease plan it this evening because I'm fucking tired." Alborto yawned.

"Yeah," I agreed, heading to my car. "And dont be fucking late.

With a military salute from Alborto and a wave from Nathen, I climb into my car and take off.

The only thing I needed was my key. I could have called Nathen or Alborto and had them meet me at the club, but who says no one listened? Because of the type of person I am, many people want me dead. The thought of me alive. To protect Sara, I have to be extremely careful in what I do. If only I was nice to her.

Arriving at the home we'll stay at, I rested my eyes. I was tired and the thought of giving up was stronger than ever. Instead of giving up, I forced myself out of the car and into the house.

"I want my daddy!" Sara yelled once the guards had let me inside.

"Honey, use your voice instead." Arianna said.

"No!"

"Sara," I called. "Inside voice, please."

"Daddy." she said, running into my arms.

"You're supposed to be asleep, my love," I said, sitting on the couch. "It's been way past your bedtime."

"But you were out." she said as I closed my eyes.

"Well, I'm here now and daddy needs to sleep," I yawned. "Arianna."

"Come, my dear," she said, taking Sara from me. "Let your father sleep. He had a long day and he'll have an even longer day today."

Laying down on the couch, I fell asleep knowing that my main and only goal is to protect Sara. Even if it means that I'll lose my relationship with my daughter. I'll lose everything if it mean that I'll be protecting Sara

"Because the both of you are planning to reconnect, there will need to be a press conference." Jenny explained.

"Then make the call and we'll have it this evening." Niki stated as Arianna handed me a note.

Don't forget that you have a meeting this evening with the mafia committe.

"Because it was your blood who started the company, you should do the conference yourself." I said, without looking up from my paperwork.

"In other words, you have something else more important to do." she said as Arianna walked to the corner of the room with her phone.

"Yes," I sighed. "Something that has to deal with Sara."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" she asked as Arianna began writing.

"Moving the press conference another day," Arianna said, handing me the note. "You could do it today without Colten but that wouldn't look too good and then you'll be on the spot."

Star called saying that Sara is throwing things and wants her father.

"It's only noon," I said, looking at the time. "WHat time did my cousin set the time for today's meeting?"

"Ten thirty, sir," she said. "But it's best to get some sleep before you hang out with your daughter."

"Alright," I said, finishing the documents by signing my name. "Anything else?"

"Yeah," Niki said. "Can we talk? Alone?"

Wanting to accept, I stood up and walked over to the ceiling to floor windows that looked over the busy city. I wanted to tell Niki everything. Everything from what I am to why I'm the why that I am. But because Mathew found out that I have a daughter and now knows that I feel something for Niki and I wish I could show it, but with the press and everyone's eyes on us, I can't risk anything.

"I can give you five minutes," Arianna said. "The driver is on his way."

"I guess that'll have to do."

Hearing the two sets of heels against the floor and the door opening and closing, letting me know that both Jenny and Arianna had walked out. Just like them, the sound of heels slowly made their way toward me, indicating that Niki was coming.

"What's going on, Colten," she asked. "I know I have no place, but don't I get the right to at least help?"

"Why? Because we're business partners," I asked, turning around. "Because thats what it says on the fucking contract?"

"Colten. I didn't mean to-"

"I know you didn't mean to do anything, Niki, but there's nothing you can do."

"Because you don't want me to." she said looking down.

"It's not because I don't want you, believe me. I want to tell you everything," I said, tilting her chin up. "But to protect you, I have to do this on my own."

"Then don't protect me," she said, holding my face. "I can't stand it when you're like this. It drives me crazy."

"You're making this hard on me, Niki," I said, pulling her closer to me. "So fucking hard."

"Then tell me," she said, our mouths only inches apart. "Let me in."

After what both of my parents did to me as a little boy, I wasn't able to trust anyone nor let them in. I was always afraid of what would happen when I did and I still am. Right now, Being able to trust Niki is pending, but when she can somehow prove it to me, I will.