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Chapter 32

Valeriana's pov

Damien and Kolton didn't let me go for an hour. I didn't mind being in their embrace for as long as I was. In fact I wanted it to be longer. I haven't seen them in a while. They were busy with their mafia and were out of town before I was shot and then when I was called in that was the first time I saw them in a while. Then after I was shot I was stuck in the house because of my brothers.

"I missed you," I mutter as they let me go. They smile at me.

"We missed you too, kid," Dad says.

"We heard what Chris did last week. It was shitty for him to not tell you he wasn't there for just the guns. That the dragon's leader was in one of the crates. He should have informed you the dragons would try and get their leader back," Papà says. What!? The Dragon's leader was what he was there for!

"Yes, it was shitty of him. I could have not been shot with all the information, If I was prepared," I say. My dads both nod their heads.

"So I take it you will no longer take side jobs from him?" Dad asked. I let out a sigh.

"No, he betrayed my trust by hiding this. I can't work with him again. People only get one chance with me and if they screw up I don't give out second chances because I know they will most likely do it again," I say. Kolton looks at Damien. Damien looks at him before shaking his head. What is going on with them? They keep giving each other this look like I can't see it.

"So we actually got some news to tell you," Kolton says. I look at both of them before nodding my head.

"Alright, I'm all ears," I say. My dad looked at each other before looking at me.

"We have been approved to adopt a little girl. Her name is Janessa and she's two. She should be here in a day or two," Damien says. I stare at them, waiting for them to say they were joking. When I realized they were serious a smile broke out onto my face.

"Oh my god! That's fantastic news! You finally got approved. You've been trying to get approved for years! This is exciting," I say. Damien and Kolton laugh at me.

"It is exciting," Damien says weirdly. He didn't sound that excited.

"I'm happy for you both and all but what about your jobs. It's kinda life threatening everytime you work," I say.

"Our last mission was actually the one you were working on. We started working at one of Chris' companies the other day. The jobs we actually claimed to have when we tried to adopt this time. Chris made sure to send out checks as if we were actually working there the time we applied so it helped us get accepted and now we will be working there from now on," dad says. I nod my head.

"That's good," I say with a smile.

"Are you staying the rest of the week with us?" papà asked. I nod my head.

"I mean yeah, if you still plan on letting me stay," I say.

"You'll always have a room here, kid. Just because we adopted a kid doesn't mean we are getting rid of you," Kolton says. I nod my head.

"I'll be in my room changing into comfortable clothes. I'll be out soon and then we can watch movies," I say before rushing to my room.

~~~

I've been staying with my dads for two nights now. School today was weird. Just like yesterday. The principal left me alone. In fact if she saw me or my brothers she went the opposite direction. Sometimes she would duck into a classroom to avoid us until we walked past. I fucking love it. Whatever Aurelio said or did to the woman worked and kept her away. I've had a peaceful two days. Monday was rocky since I broke her nose. Everything is fine now.

After shutting the door behind me I turn around before stopping. There was a little black haired girl staring at me. Her eyes were like a nice milk chocolate color. She had a round face. She was adorable. She crossed her arms over her chest as she tapped her foot. Janessa got here yesterday. I met her after school. She enjoyed spending time with me yesterday. She didn't want me to go to school today but I told her I would be back after school.

"You're late, missy," She says before stomping off into the house. I set an alarm for her to let her know when I should be back. I guess she heard the alarm and waited in front of the door for me.

"I'm only 5 minutes late!" I shout. With a sigh I walk into the house and toss my bag onto the couch.

"That's not where it goes," Kolton snaps. I pick it up and head to my room. I toss my bag onto my bed before walking out of my room. Janessa was in Kolton's arms. He was wearing a suit. Dad was only working part time. He went into work three hours after Papà got back. Janessa and my dads had several visitations before the adoption went through so she was extremely comfortable with them.

"Are you going in early today?" I asked. Kolton nods his head.

"Yeah, Damien should be home soon. I'll see you both later," Kolton says before putting Janessa on the couch. He kissed the top of her head before kissing the side of my head. Janessa popped her head over the back of the couch. She smiled widely at me.

"Daddy says we can have cake," Janessa says. I raise an eyebrow at her.

"I'm sure he didn't say that," I say. Janessa gave me a crazy look. Her eyes were wide and her eyebrows were furrowed. She nodded her head vigorously. "Nuh uh," I say.

"Ya huh," She says.

"How about we have a cookie and save the cake for after dinner," I reason. Janessa tapped her chin with her index finger as she thought.

"Ok!" she says, jumping down from the couch and rushing into the kitchen. I follow after her and pull out the oreo package. I set her down on the counter after I gathered cups and the milk. Janessa watched me pour milk into the cups. I put the milk away. I get three cookies out for each of us before I take a seat at the island chair. Janessa dipped her cookie in milk before taking a bite.

"How school?" Janessa asked. I look over at her.

"It was good. I got to see my brothers and friends," I say.

"Where our brothers?" Janessa asked while looking at me.

"Well they aren't your brothers, they're mine. They live at home. I live with them," I say.

"But you're here," she says, her eyebrows squished together.

"I'm only staying for a few days," I state.

"Me meet my brothers, now!" Janessa shouts. I ate one of my cookies. A smile at her. She drinks some of her milk.

"Maybe another day, ok?" I asked. Janessa frowned.

"I guess," she sighed. She dunked a cookie in the milk sadly. I chuckle at her dramatics.