Page 36 of The Godfather’s Christmas Twins

She stares up at me, waiting for my reply. I understand that if I keep harping on this, we’ll just keep going around in circles.

“If that’s all…” She turns to return to the playroom.

"We're not done here." Although I don’t know what the hell I have left to say. I could mention the issue with Whitley, but that doesn’t seem smart. Now I wonder why she’s not asking about Whitley. Did she really only care that the kids saw Whitley’s state of undress? Was Gia not jealous?

"The kids need me." She leaves me in the hall.

Dammit. There's more to say, more to sort out, but short of hauling her down to my office to have it out, there’s nothing I can do… for now.

I leave her there and make my way back to my office, pulling out my phone to find out about building a playground in my back yard. If the kids need to play, they can play here. Maybe I’ll even have a basketball court built. If they want an ice rink, I’ll build that. Whatever those kids need, they’ll have. They’ll love it here so much, they won’t want to leave. Ever.

12

GIA

Isit cross-legged on the playroom floor, surrounded by blocks and toys Max bought for the kids. Daniella sprawls across my lap while Dario zooms around the room with a toy plane, making engine noises.

"Higher, higher!" Daniella squeals as I lift her up, pretending she's flying too. Her giggles echo off the walls.

"Look out below!" Dario crashes his plane into a tower of blocks, sending them scattering across the carpet. We all burst into laughter at the staged destruction.

"My turn to be the plane!" Daniella scrambles off my lap. I chase them both around the room with my arms spread wide, making whooshing sounds until we collapse in a giggling heap.

Later, with pajamas on and teeth brushed, I gather them onto Dario’s bed with their favorite book. They snuggle close as I open to the first page ofWhere the Wild Things Are.

"The night Max wore his wolf suit…" I begin, doing all the voices just the way they like. Their eyes grow heavy as the story progresses, but they fight sleep to see Max sail back over a year of nights and days.

I finish the story, closing the book. Daniella's already dozed off against my shoulder. I carry her to her own bed, tucking her in with a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Then I pull Dario’s covers up to his chin. "Sweet dreams, my little pilot."

"’Night," he mumbles, eyes fluttering closed.

I brush his dark hair back and kiss his cheek. “’Night, baby."

Standing in the doorway, I watch their peaceful faces for a moment before quietly pulling their doors almost closed.

I start down to my room. A shadow moves in the hallway. Max blocks my path, his broad frame filling the space.

"We need to finish our conversation." His voice stays low, mindful of the sleeping children.

I cross my arms. "There's nothing to discuss."

"That's not your call to make." His jaw tightens.

I arch a brow, hating his controlling behavior. My life. My kids’ life. They’re my responsibility, not his.

“You’re not the boss of me,” I say, hating how childish that sounds.

He lets out a frustrated grown. “I’m the boss of your safety, Gia.”

“Fine. Noted. I’m going to bed.”

“We need to talk. I know you’d prefer to ignore me, but I’m not going anywhere until we talk.”

I consider refusing, but the determined set of his shoulders tells me he won't let this go. “Fine.” I lean against the hallway wall. “Talk.”

"Let's take this to the living room." He gestures to the kids’ room. "I don't want to wake them."