Maximus

Sitting in the car I watch the Canadian countryside pass through the windows while we drove.

"No Tesoro, it is not too much." I said into the phone as we drove to where we are meeting Shaw to make sure everything is going well between our partnership.

Stella huffed through the phone. "Max it has eight bedrooms, two dining rooms and the main suite is bigger than my apartment."

I smiled handing Romano the file I was reading that went over our cargo, his hands taking it so he could ensure he knew everything for his first meeting with Shaw. "Tesoro, your apartment doesn't count as an appropriate living size."

She let out another huff. "Okay wait one just came up. It has a big plot of so you can have the security that you are always mentioning plus it would be great for kids growing up. Six bedrooms plus main, still big but will have the nursery and rooms to house some of the boys if they have to stay over."

"Tesoro, do what you need to do but when I come back we are choosing one." I say evenly. "We are not waiting."

Another huff was sent my way. "Don't be all bossy, I want to make sure that since we have to get a big house for security and stuff that it won't feel like an estate but a home.... No offense."

"None taken amore, we grew up in different environments." Seeing Shaw's industrial building ahead I knew I had to say goodbye. "I am afraid I must go, I will see you soon and don't over work yourself."

Stella gave me a light giggle. "Don't worry, the boys constantly check to make sure I don't. Love you, come home safe."

"Always amore." Hanging up, I shake my head. "She still calls her bodyguards 'boys'."

Glancing over to Romano he closed the file, his lips slightly lifting up. "You have found quite the interesting woman."

Smiling I open a different file to read, Luka's current report on how he is finding the silent partners of Carnellio. Luka has tracked down their accounts and put an alarm on them, if they are to be used he will know but the bastards have the account through multiple fake names.

Oh, how I wish it was like the movies and he could track them down with a snap of his fingers.

"How are you going to make it work?" Romano asked randomly, "Raising your family with Stella and balancing this work. The 9-5 in the office no problem, but going off for the Sorrentino work at the drop of pin?"

I relaxed in my seat putting Luka's report down. "When I'm in the office or doing this, I focus on what I need to do. When I am with Stella, I focus on her, making that time count. I have hated every second I have had to leave, but when I am back with her, it's all about her, us and our child. So that's what I am going to keep doing. Making it count."

Romano nodded. "Seems easy enough."

I snorted looking over to him. "Oh, so easy. Not like I am waiting for Stella to get fed up with me leaving during her pregnancy and not like I am waiting for her to decide she doesn't want to raise a kid with someone who may have to leave at the drop of a pin."

My little brother shrugged. "Well, it's good to appreciate what you got. Stella seems like the type of woman who does what she wants and needs to, not the type of woman to stay stuck in something and blame that she doesn't have control. If she was going to leave your ass, she would have already done it."

Ignoring him I noticed that we were pulling up to Shaw's. "Alright. Shaw is a paranoid man and the only thing he respects is honesty."

"I know." Romano said. "I have met with him before."

"Yes, when I was point. The reason of this is that when I am off work to help with the baby, you are able to take point." I said looking to my little brother. "Which means, he is going to have to learn to respect you as the next man he deals with. Talk to the point, no subtle sass on the face and be honest. If he thinks your hiding something, even if it's you thinking you're hungry, he will be paranoid and think we are going to break our agreement. Got it?"

Romano nodded, his face clear and ready to get to work. "I got it."

"Good." I answered, the car pulling up to our destination.

Once the car stopped I opened the door, ready to get this business meeting done so I can get back. I usually love these work trips but with Stella getting further in her pregnancy I would much rather be there in case anything were to happen.

"Shaw." I greet the Irish man, his hand out stretched to take mine. "Good to see you."

He shook mine and then took Romano's. "Nice to see you men, hope ye had a good flight."

"We did thank you." I answer.

"I am sorry you had to make the trip, hope it wasn't to inconvenient." The Irish man said with a smile.

Chuckling I shook my head. "It is nice to see your base of operation. Though my Stella would say differently."

Shaw led us into the building, the three of us exchanging pleasantries while walking towards his office. We passed by multiple glass containers, his building usually used as a high expense and rare item store or a halfway house for when he is shipping cargo.

I ignored the curiosity of looking in some of the containers to see what interesting items he has. My only focus at the moment was for this meeting with Shaw and our partnership to go well; one so that the family business is stable and two so I can go home and force Stella to pick a fucking house.

"Can I get you or your men anything?" Shaw asked opening the door into his office, Romano and I taking a few seats that sat in front of Shaw's desk.

Unclasping my jacket, I smile. "Coffee sounds perfect."

"James, get the Sorrentino brothers an expresso." Shaw ordered sitting behind his desk, his arms moving to take out a folder that no doubt holds our cargo shipment information.

Shaw took this time to ask us small talk about our trip here, trying to pass the time till the coffee came.

James came back into the room, two expressos placed in from of Romano and I. My arm quickly picking up the hot beverage to put some much-needed energy in my blood.

Taking a sip, I start to get into work mode. "How are things Shaw?"

The man smiled. "Things are well, business is going smoothly. Though I have to ask how things are going with you and getting Carnellio, I have been hearing weird reports that he still finds ways to fuck with you but you aren't a step closer to finding him."

I sat up straight in my chair. "I don't care what people say and neither should you Shaw. Your right, we don't have Carnellio yet, but that is because we are focusing on ensuring that when we get Carnellio we get every fucker who helped him or even know of his intensions against us."

A moment of silence sat heavily between the three of us.

Shaw took a deep swallow. "I did not mean any disrespect. Your family is highly respected and considered great friends. I have every confidence you'll find him."

"Good." I say evenly, close to cold. "Now the reason I am here. In a few months I will only be working from our estate, Romano here will now become my point man and be doing the traveling for work."

The man in front of me fidgeted, his face scrunching together. "Why are you no longer working with me? There something I should be aware of?"

I put my hand up. "No need to get your feathers up Shaw, it has nothing to do with you. My woman will be giving birth to our child in a few months and I intend on being there with her for every part of that and what comes after."

Shaw nodded. "I'm sorry, I did not congratulate you. I did hear you were having a kid, but as you are not married I was not sure if the woman was-"

"She is my woman and will be my wife." I cut in before he could say something in a very different direction. "She may not have my name yet, but she is expected to be treated as such."

"I meant no offense." Shaw said swallowing.

I gave a small nod. "I am sure you did not, I just wanted to clear up any confusion you or anyone who talks to you may have. My woman is no whore or mistress, she is my future wife. A future Sorrentino."

"Understood and I will ensure others know." Shaw replied.

"Good." I answer sitting back in my chair. "Now, please update myself and Romano on what is going on and your plans."

Shaw nodded and cleared his throat. "We have had no more interference with any of your cargo, not even on your old ones we caught those guys at. I think Carnellio got the hint that he lost your cargo as a way to hurt you."

I nod along. "That is good to hear, glad you are worth every penny."

The Irish man smiled. "Well I want to ensure you, we give you the best coverage. I do have a few proposals that would be more secure and also cost effective."

Smiling I motion my head to Romano. "It's his show today, direct your proposals to him."

Romano sat up in his chair, his coffee cup being placed on Shaw's desk.

With that the day went into proposals, money, shipment routs, our cargo and so on. After five hours and multiple coffees, my body and brain begged me to take a break to process everything we discussed.

Stretching my neck, I check my watch. "Why don't we pick this up tomorrow, give Romano and I time to review the paperwork and the proposals."

Shaw nodded and passed his folders over to Romano. "Of course. We have an estate you and your men may take residence in during your stay."

"We would appreciate it." I replied gratefully.

Nodding we all stood up and left his office, walking back through the building.

Stopping in my tracks I glance inside one of the glass cases. Sitting in a small open box was a pear-shaped gold diamond, with multiple small diamonds surrounding the large pear and then down the band.

It made me think of Stella, a ring that represented Stella. All bright and happy like her with a classic feel. "Shaw, how much?"

Shaw walked behind the case, his hands taking out the ring box I was looking at. "For you my friend, it is free."

Taking the ring I smile. "You will be making my woman very happy my friend. I appreciate it, truly."

He waved his hand. "If anything, you are helping me clear out some space. I shall see you men tomorrow."

I put the ring away safely in my jacket then shook Shaw's hand. "We shall see you in the morning."

With that we walked out of the building, heading towards our cars. My phone went off when I opened the door.

The high from finding a ring dropped when I saw the message.

:

Get home. It's Alerica.

Getting into the car, I make eye contact the driver. "Change of plans, take me to the airport."

Before he could ask me why I clicked on Anthony's number to find out what is going on, the car already heading to take me home.