Page 67 of The Godfather’s Christmas Twins

"Listen to me." I sit on the edge of Dario's bed, smoothing his dark hair. "Max cares about us very much. Sometimes, grown-ups have complicated jobs that take them away when they don't want to be gone."

"Will we see him before we go home?" Daniella asks from under her covers.

"Of course you will." If I have to drag him kicking and screaming, he’ll give my children a proper goodbye. "Now, both of you need sleep. It's been a long day."

I kiss their foreheads and whisper, "I love you," to each one, then leave them to sleep.

Their concerns about Max twist like a knife in my chest. They're too young to understand the complexities of adult relationships, too innocent to know why a man might pull away just when things start feeling real.

My children shouldn't have to question whether they're wanted. They shouldn't have to wonder if they've done something wrong. That's not the kind of uncertainty I want in their lives. They've had enough of that already.

I wander back to my room. Checking my phone again, I see it's past ten. Still no word from Max since he bailed on Thanksgiving. I text him, although I don’t expect any response. After a few moments with no notifications, I toss my phone aside.

Opening my closet, I start pulling out clothes, folding them in preparation for packing. It isn’t long before fatigue wears at me. As midnight approaches, I admit defeat. Whatever lead Max is following on Benny, whatever duty keeps him away, it's clear he won't be coming home tonight. I climb into bed, my body heavy with disappointment and exhaustion.

I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, my mind replaying moments with Max like a bittersweet highlight reel. The way he showed up at breakfast each morning, how his eyes lit up when the kids ran to greet him. Those stolen kisses, passionate nights wrapped in his arms.

This little detour from regular life is over. Reality is waiting back in New York. My job, the kids' school, our real life. This Vegas interlude was just that, a temporary escape where I foolishly let myself believe that Max might want more.

But Max made his choice today. Duty and obligation will always come first for him. I knew that going in. I've known it since I was eighteen and dreaming of a different life.

I can’t complain, really. Back home, I have a good life. I’ve got a good position in the legitimate side of Nic’s business. I'm raising two amazing children. I don't need a man at all. To be honest, men have only been sources of pain in my life. Sure, I see what Bella has with Nic and would like that, a man who looks at me like I’m the center of his world. But Max isn’t that man.

Tomorrow, I'll start preparing the kids for our return to New York. They'll be sad at first, but children are resilient. We’ll return to our old routine. I’ll invite their friends over so they can get back into what life for a child should be like.

My eyes grow heavy as acceptance settles over me. This was never meant to last. Time to wake up from this dream and face reality.

21

MAX

Istare out the window of my office, the bright lights of the Strip doing nothing to lift the heaviness in my chest. I let Gia and the kids down, but it’s for her protection, dammit. I grab onto the resentment that she doesn’t understand that because I like it better than the guilt.

Unfortunately, the guilt quickly returns. Memories of Dario and Daniella’s faces lighting up each morning as we made breakfast together haunts me. They probably sat at the dining table tonight wondering why I wasn't there.

My phone buzzes with another update from my men canvassing the city for Benny. No sign of him. I turn away from the window, refocusing on why I’m here and not with them. If Benny is behind the threats, finding him is more important than turkey and stuffing. More important than the feeling of finally having a real family under my roof. Because it’s not real.

For the umpteenth time, I review the surveillance photos spread across my desk. Grainy images of Benny outside the casino, his confrontation with Gia. This is what matters. This is what I promised Nic and Gia’s mother. Keep Gia safe. It’s my oneduty, and so I have to find Benny. I have to send her home. Away from me. It's better this way. It has to be.

My phone rings. Dominic.

“Yeah?” I answer.

“Got ’im, Boss.” Dominic reports he has Benny in one of our secured storage facilities.

Halle-fucking-lujah.

When I arrive, I find Benny zip-tied to a metal chair. I remove my suit jacket and roll up my sleeves, the familiar ritual helping me focus on what needs to be done. The weight of my shoulder holster serves as a reminder of who I am, what this life demands.

I’m getting ready to question him when my phone vibrates. A text from Gia. I silence it and slip it into my pocket. I can't let thoughts of her cloud my judgment right now.

“Hello, Benny,” I say as I grab a chair and sit in front of him.

Benny struggles against his restraints. His cocky attitude from the casino is gone, replaced by darting eyes and nervous sweat. Good. Fear makes people honest.

I lean forward, ready to work. Time to find out if Benny's really behind the threats.

Sweat beads on his forehead despite the room’s chill. His eyes watch me like a cornered rat.