"Man, you need to get the girl. You tell me everyday how you want her but you don't even get her."

"She's my friend's granddaughter and I'm twice her age," I said, rubbing my eyes. "I can't just go up and tell her I want her."

"Mat, before you couldnt come in the states, Niki was eye fucking you," Don said. "She wanted you, man and she may still want you."

"I don't know," I groan. "She has too much on her plate right now. She has the company and now has her grandfather's mafia title. Me telling her that I have a love interest for her would just make things worse."

"Look man. I gotta go. Your father needs me, but you need to hurry up. The king is getting impatient and he has women already lining up."

"I have six months," I said, sitting up. "I'll try my best."

"Whatever you say, my friend. Just don't take too long."

"We'll see."

Hanging up, I sat up and just started at the wall. Sighing, I stressfully ran my fingers through my hair, knowing it's a hot mess. Standing up, I walked into the bathroom. Hopping into the shower, my mind found its way to Niki.

Ever since I got in town, Niki's been on my mind. It wasn't a problem when she was younger, but as the years went by, things changed. I started feeling things toward her that I shouldn't be feeling. For crying out loud. She's the granddaughter of my best friend. To add things up, she's twenty five; about to be twenty six, and I'm now fourty. I try and try to get her out of my head, but I just find myself going back.

After bathing and drying off, I changed into black sweatpants. Since it's nearly six in the morning, I decided to head downstairs without a shirt. Entering, I look through the cabinets and drawers to find dishes that I could use to cook breakfast. About to get frustrated with everything not being where they were the last time I was here, I finally find what I'm looking for. Rinsing everything off first, I place the pan on the hot stove. Cracking eggs and letting them form, I move away from making eggs to get pancake mix. Mixing the batter together, my phone rings. Turning the stove off to pause the eggs, I take my phone out to see my sister's name.

"I'm gone for one day and everyone's worried." I answered.

"So what? I'm not allowed to call my brother?"

"Yes you are," I yawn, turning the stove on and cooking the eggs. "What's up, Mia?"

"It's all too much since you left. I can't go out to get my nails done without the press trying to attack the guards," she sighed. "Oh and Ashely. She's always asking me if you found your wife. It's just a bunch of mess and it's driving me crazy."

"Well, it's not my fault that father wanted to crown me as king." I said, turning the stove off and plating the eggs.

"Anyway, I thought about coming to you."

"Mia, I don't think that's a good idea," I state, pouring small batches of pancake mix into the already hot pan. "With all the press here, it's going to be way too much."

"Well, will you at least come and visit me between the six months?"

"I can't promise you anything but I'll try," I said, flipping the pancake. "Just try to stay away from the press until I get back."

"Okay," she sighed. "Same with you."

"I'll see. Love you."

"Love you too," Mia said as I plated the food. "I'll tell mom you said hi."

"Thank you," I said as I heard someone coming down. "I'll have to call her."

"Yeha and forgive her because she tried all she could do to stop father."

"And now I know," I said, cleaning the dishes. "We'll talk later."

"We better," she laughed. "Bye."

"Bye."

Being far away from my sister never happened. We were always somewhere close. Even though we aren't kids anymore, we hate the feeling of being apart. But it's just six months. We'll be fine, right?

Putting my phone back into my pocket, I feel a feeling I was never able to get used to. The feeling of being stared at. Thinking at who could be up this early, my mind only comes up to Niki. Her sleep schedule is all messed up, according to Nathen. She wakes up at six in the morning to go on a run. Getting back home at seven, she takes a shower and gets ready for work. At eight thirty, coffee or breakfast is already made and she heads to work. She gets to work at nine-fifty and stays in her office until ten the same day. Depending on what she wants to do, the earliest she gets home is at midnight and the latest is three the next morning. I don't know why she does this, but there has to be a very good reason for it.

Turning around, I in fact find her staring. The fact that I'm shirtless and she's doing nothing but eye fucking me, makes me chuckle. Hearing me, she quickly looks down at her food like I didn't just catch her.

"Do you want syrup?" I asked, offering her the bottle.

"Thanks," she mumbled. "Can you pass the butter?"

"Sure."

Handing her the butter and knife, I begin eating. Thinking of today, I try to think of something I can do around the house since I'm not allowed to be in the states. Thinking of nothing but watching tv and helping Millie and Jona with their homework, the mystery of Niki's day begins to wonder me.

"What are you doing today?"

"Going into the office," she said as the front door opened and closed. "I have a bunch of papers to sign for and there's a press conference I have to attend."

"It's your company, Niki. You do what you want," I state as Nathen and Dallas walked over. "You don't have to go to the press conference."

"I know but now that everyone knows that the contract between Antoniell and Donovan Enterprise is renewed, the press asked for a meeting," she explained as Nather grabbed an egg with his hand. "It would've been sooner but-"

"She was busy fucking Colten," Dallas said. "Anyway, I have good news Thomas has been fighting for the request of allowing you to come into the states and as of last night, it's been granted."

"Oh my God," Niki gasped. "That's amazing."

"For me, yes. Back home for Mia, no," I said, finishing my food. "She's upset that she can't go out and get her nails done with the press asking her about me."

"Well, she could stay here with us." Niki said, passing her plate over to Nathen.

"She's well known so if anyone sees her at least once, everyone will know." I explain without telling my secret.

"That makes sense," she said, standing. "But I'm going to get dressed."

"Okay."

Watching her walk out, I felt the feeling of rejection. I don't know why I feel this since I haven't asked her out or something, but I still feel it.

Cleaning the dishes, drying them, and putting them away, I head upstairs. Walking towards my room, I walk by Niki's open door.

"Hey." I said, leaning against it.

"Hey," she smiled. "Oh. Thanks for the dress. I love it."

"You're welcome," I said as she pulled her high knee boots on. "What are you doing besides going to the office?"

"Nothing," she laughs. "I just go into the office and come back home. Why? DId you want to hang out?"

"Yeah. Since I'm allowed to be in the states legally."

"Yeah," she said, looking me up and down. "Well, we're leaving in ten minutes. I have to take the kids to school."

"I'll be done in time."

Nodding, I head to my room that's only three rooms down. Deciding on what to wear, I finally took out a dark blue three piece suit. Stepping into my shoes, I grab my matching suit jacket and head downstairs.

"Millie, please get your jacket on. It's chilly outside." Niki said, trying to get Millie's jacket on.

"But I don't want it on." she whined.

"Millie, Listen to Niki," I said, kneeling down to her level. "We don't want you getting sick."

"Okay," she sighed as I helped her put it on. "Where's Jona?"

"She's right here," a maid said, holding her hand as she ate a cookie. "And here's your cookie."

With everyone ready, I open the door, allowing the girls to come out. Walking out, we all piled into the limo but waited for Dallas and Nathen. Once everyone was in, we headed to the girl's school.

"Jenny sent her reassignment letter this morning." Dallas said, taping her Ipad.

"I just saw," Niki sighed. "I'll find someone."

"Or you can hire Dallas." Nathen suggested.

"But you're working for Colten. How will that work?"

"He already knows." she mumbled.

"Oh."

With nothing left to say, everyone stayed quiet until we got to girl's school. There, they jumped out and we were on our way toward the office. On the way. My phone went off from a motivation

You thought Colten Donavan was hot, Matthew Collen is in town and oh my. Colten has nothing against his hotness. #MathewCollenDaddy

"Matthew Collen Daddy. Wow," Nathen said, rereading the post. "Someone thinks you're sexy."

"Yeah and I felt sexy until you called me daddy." I said as both Dallas and Niki bursted out laughing.

"I was repeating what the post read," Nathen said, showing Niki. "And besides. I'm straight and married."

"I guess," Niki said, reading. "But you never know. You'll start liking men."

"Shut up," Nathen said, crossing his arms. "See what you did, Matthew?"

"I'm sorry," I said, laughing. "I wasn't thinking."

"Yeah." he said as we all started laughing even harder.

After a few minutes of just laughing, the limo stops and the driver opens the door. Helping Niki out, we made eye contact and it was a mistake. Her eyes felt like a vold. A black pit and I was lost in them. For all the women I've been with, I never looked into their eyes the way I stare into Niki's. I feel nothing but want and need from Niki. If only I wasn't friends with her grandfather.

"Thank you." she said once none of us said anything.

"You're welcome."

Letting her hand go, we followed Dallas into the building. Once we got inside and on our way to Niki's office, Dallas had her headpiece in answering calls. The elevator doors open and we walk out. Following Niki as Dallas walks behind the front desk, we walk into her office.

"Colten is late so I don't know when the press conference will be," Niki said, struggling to take her jacket off. "But it's today."

"When do you have a day off?" I asked, helping her take her jacket off.

"In the afternoon." she sighed, running her fingers through her hair.

"I said day. Not time of day," I said, moving toward the couches. "You need a day off."

"Then who'll take care of the company?"

"I'm here for six months, love," I said, smiling. "Tell me what to do and I'll take care of it."

"It's just a bunch of meetings, the press, and dealing with Colten," she explained as the door opened. "And speaking of him. You're late."

"And have I thought today would get better," Colten said, staring daggers at me. "Why is he here?"

"Does he bother you?" Niki asked, typing something into her desktop computer.

"He wasn't allowed to come back," Colten states, slamming his hands onto her desk. "He targeted my daughter."

"That wasn't my call," I growled, standing between him and Niki's desk. "I already dealt with one of my guys that shot you guys. As for me targeting your daughter, what reason would I have to target your child?"

Not knowing what to say, Colten just stayed quiet. Ever since his father took my company to the ground, they have always had something against me. I never found out why but there always have been. And by looking at Colten, his father has told him nothing but lies about me.

"If you two are done fighting," Dallas said, walking in. "You and Niki can go to the conference."

"You work for her now?" Colten asked.

"Yes, but enough of me. You're already late."

"Okay." he sighed, walking out.

"You coming?" Niki asked.

"Would you like me to come?" I asked, putting my hands into my pockets.

"Yeah," she said, linking her arms with mine. "I'll have support by my side."

"I guess," I playfully sighed. "Since you want me to be there."

"Thank you."

Heading toward another elevator, my phone rings. Still walking, I pulled my phone out to see that one of my guys was calling. Sighing, I answered.

"I'm busy. What is it?"

"There's money missing."

"What do you mean that there's money missing?" I asked as Niki looked up at me.

"That's what I said," Sam sighed. "Silas and I were finishing up and Silas double checked the books."

"How much is missing?"

"Six grand."

If Niki wasn't right next to me, she would have to get someone to come and fix the elevator. The amount of anger I have inside of me right now doesn't need to be anywhere near her. The fact that my money has been taken from me in my circle is unbelievable. Everyone in my circle is nothing but family to me. So, hearing that someone took my money... there's nothing I can do right now.

"When did you find out about this?" I asked, trying to calm down.

"Early this morning," he said. "But it wasn't gone last week or last night. So, it had to be taken between late last night or way early this morning."

"Okay. Well, what's Silas doing?"

"Doing what he does best. Finding the snake."

"Well, I'll call him later today," I said as the elevator doors opened. "Keep everything locked up until I get there."

"Alright."

Hanging up, I follow Niki into the conference room. Inside, the press immediately goes wild.

"Mr. Collen, how do you feel that the council allows you to enter the states where you please?" a reporter asked.

"No comment because this isn't my press conference," I stated as we sat down. "This is Niki's press conference."

"Okay," Dallas stated. "Just because Mr. Donavan has other business to attend to, there has been a select of reporters that will be able to ask questions."

Questions were asked about how the two companies came together and what clients should expect. The conference went on for two and a half hours until one question caught my attention.

"Ms. Antoniell, how will you be able to manage the company and your grandfather's business?"

"How do you-"

"Antoniell Enterprise is her grandfather's business," I said, as other reporters nodded in agreement. "What other business would she have?"

"Her birthright business."

Being a mafia leader, you have to be careful with how you answer the media. Being in the mafia business, it's a crime to the public. It's not a problem to the police in Niki's case since the Anotniell family had them on their payroll way before Niki's grandfather was in the picture. As for the press, in my business, I have press, but I don't know if I can say the same for Niki's family. So, hearing this reporter asking about Niki's birthright business raises a red flag.

"Where did you find this source of information?" I asked.

"I work for August, a new pressing company that's founded by Thomas. It's the top question this week."

"He hasn't said anything to me about this." Niki said.

"I know what she's talking about." Dallas whispered.

"Well, then if that's the case," Niki stated. "That is something that I'm going to be working on."

Taking not of her response, that was all of the selected reporters. Because many reporters had questions about me being allowed to be in the states, Dallas had another press conference scheduled.

Standing up and following Dallas out, Colten wanted to talk to Niki alone but she wasn't having it.

"Go talk to him, Niki," I said. "You talk to him, I'll handle things that need to be handled, and I'll come back to take you out to dinner."

At that, Colten's facial expression changed and Dallas was left laughing her ass off.