Page 68 of The Godfather’s Christmas Twins
"Let's talk about Gia Cantore."
“What about her?” He tries to sound brave, but I hear the fear.
“Why are you stalking her?”
“Stalking?” He looks to Dominic standing behind me as if he’s wanting clarification.
“I have it on video. You stalking her. Confronting her in my casino.”
Benny jerks against the zip ties. "I didn’t stalk her. She walked in, and I saw a chance to finally get the money she stole.”
I slam my palm on the metal table beside him. The crack echoes through the empty space. "Cut the bullshit. You've been following her for months."
"Following her?” His eyes again dart to Dominic. I don’t know why. Dominic is a meaner son of a bitch than I am. He looks back at me. “Like I said, I just saw her at the casino. Pure coincidence." His voice pitches higher.
“What about the messages? The photos? The calls?"
"What messages? What photos?" Benny shakes his head frantically. "I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
I grab his chin, forcing him to look at me. "You expect me to believe you just happened to show up in Vegas right when she's here, being protected from a stalker?"
"This is Vegas. You know me. Where else would I go?" His words tumble out faster. "Atlantic City's dried up for me. I figured I'd try my luck out west. That's all this is."
I study his face, looking for tells. Fear is there, but it's the desperate kind that comes from owing the wrong people money, not the guilt of being caught stalking someone.
I release Benny's chin and pace the cold concrete floor, processing his words. Something doesn't add up.
“If you’re here to gamble, why approach her at all?”
"Because she stole my inheritance. That ain’t right. It’s my money.” Benny spits the words.
“Your beef is with your father. Frankly, I can’t blame him. Why give you his hard earned money when you waste it on gambling and women? Everyone knows you were a disappointment to him. Dario is a Nardone. He’s more important as a kid than you’ll ever be.”
Benny glares at me. I’ve hit a chord. Good. Maybe I’ll get answers.
“That bastard isn’t my father’s son.”
My hand flies out, striking Benny. “Watch your mouth.”
He surprises me by sneering. Where is the sniveling Benny I saw a moment ago?
"Come on, Max. Everyone knows those twins can't be Aldo's." Benny's eyes take on a calculating gleam. "Look at them. They don't look anything like him.”
“That’s your proof?” I scoff.
“No… I got more.” He sits up, as if I’m an eager listener. “I dated a nurse?—”
“Jesus, Benny, I don’t want to know about your sex life.”
“No listen. Really. I told her about the kids, and she said there’s no way my dad was their father.”
I roll my eyes. “How would she know that? Especially from the bullshit you spew? You’re just desperate. You're talking shit to save your own neck." I circle the chair again. I need to get back on track.
“The timing is wrong.” His head tries to swivel to follow me as I round him. “If he’s their father, those kids were born too early.”
“So. Kids are born early all the time.”
“They were five pounds each,” he says as if that makes any sense to me.