Atticus King's POV
"Cora where is my hairbrush?!" My middle daughter yells, I can hear it from my office. I shake my head at their ridiculousness. I could hear more yelling but none were distinguishable.
I sit in my office looking at the photo on my desk. The last photo of my wife and the only one of her holding Seraphina. Soon after we were married she gave birth to my son, Levi. We tried again and got pregnant with Lydia, then Cora, then Alice. Of course, last we had Seraphina.
My son Levi is ready to take over my mafia, the American mafia. My wife's last wishes were that my girls would be protected until I retired and after. I've done my best to protect them but my last act will be an alliance.
It may sound barbaric to marry off your child but it's the way this life is. An alliance is easiest established by a family connection. By marrying my daughters off I can assure them they will be safe and protected from both mafias.
With this a new alliance can take place or an existing alliance can be negotiated to help put both parties.
A contract is currently being drawn up which both parties, my daughters and the suitor, must approve and sign. Today I have the four mafias coming over for the meeting. They all know about what is happening and I have told my girls. I like to be transparent with them when I can.
None of the girls are thrilled but growing up in this life they knew this was a possibility.
A knock interrupts my thoughts.
"Come in." I clear my throat trying to sound as detailed as possible.
One of my guards walks in and nods in respect before talking. "Sir the gentlemen have arrived."
"Send them in. Make sure the girls don't come in unless it's a real emergency." I give him a look when I mention a real emergency. We've had problems with Cora and Alice lying about the severity of the incident just to get an answer quicker.
I organize my desk keeping everything within reach as the guard walks out shutting the door. Another knock sounds as I once again tell them to 'come in'.
Four men walk in with my son following behind them. They all nod and I motion for them to sit down in front of me. For this meeting, I had two more chairs placed in front of me and one beside me.
"Gentlemen, let's talk. You all know why you are here and have agreed to talk to me. So please let me address any questions you have."
"If I were to agree what would be in it for me?" The youngest man I invited asked me. Nicholas Burns, the Italian Mafia Don. Young but having run his mafia since he was sixteen. Many laughed figuring that he would have been too cocky and would have killed his mafia in a few months, however he proved everyone wrong when he climbed the ladder and became one of the top mafias.
"I have written up a contract for each of you individually. But each of you would have full access to my ports to do as you please, and my mafias full support whenever you need. I have arranged that Nicholas' weapon trade would be available in my country and a few of my allies and have already approved of you." He nodded before the next man asked his question. This went on for a while before they ran out of questions for me.
Santiago, the Don of the Spanish Mafia, had mainly questions about what the drug trade with us would be like.
Damien, the Don of the French Mafia, had asked about my daughters and mainly their knowledge of this.
Victor, the Don of the Russian Mafia, had only one question, what happens when Levi tasks over in a few months?
"Simple, each of you will sign a contract with one of my daughters about your marriage. Levi and each of you will sign a contract saying that the marriage contract will not change when Levi comes into power."
"Will we be able to change our contracts before we sign with your daughters?" Santiago asked me.
"Yes, both of you will receive a copy of the contract to review, and then you will make many changes you would like when it comes time."
The men all nod and we dismiss the meeting. I hand each of them a copy of their contracts. My daughters have been given one earlier today to review.
"I would ask that you each have revisions made by tomorrow for dinner. After dinner, we will continue talking." They all nod and leave me in the office with Levi.
"Still think this is a good idea?"
"It has to be, I'm out of time."