“What about Joshua?” I ask, because he’s always been the more stable of the twins and the only one who can get through to his twin. However, I’ve noticed he’s not been himself lately.
“He’s closed himself off. What Bettina did hasn’t just destroyed him. It’s changed him. He’s so cold with everyone now except his mother and his little sister.”
“Should I have a word with them?” Ben asks as Rowan and Romeo reappear in the near distance.
“That might only make things worse,” I say, turning the steaks over. “They’re nineteen and think they know everything.”
“Didn’t we all at that age.” Leo chuckles.
“We knew jack shit,” Ben says.
“It’s good they don’t gain control until they are twenty-one. Neither of them is mature enough for the responsibility yet, but when they wise up, they will make a formidable team.”
“I agree,” Leo says. “They’re a lethal combination. Joshua is a shrewd strategist, and Caleb gets shit done.”
“Their party-boy image doesn’t do them or the family any favors though,” Ben says. “It concerns me.”
“Luca will remain on The Commission as the Accardi representative for the foreseeable future, and he will have the power of attorney until the twins are twenty-five,” I remind the boss. “They’ll have their act together by then.”
“I hope so, but they really should keep a lower profile. It draws unwanted attention.”
The Accardi twins are the poster boys for the New York mafia, and they are regularly splashed all over the tabloids and the internet. I know both men have received modeling offers from several top brands, something their friends love to tease them about. Girls hang off them wherever they go, and Joshua is as much of a player now as Caleb is. That bitch Bettina really did a number on him. I understand where Ben’s concern is coming from, but we are living in different times, and they are the next generation. At some point, we are going to have to let them learn from their mistakes.
“Let’s be honest, we would all have lapped up the attention at that age,” I say, removing the steaks and putting them on another warming plate. “There are enough of us to help keep them on the straight and narrow. They’ll be fine.”
“Do you ever miss it?” Leo asks, raising a hand and waving at Rico and Frankie as they arrive with their family. Frankie is Nat’s best friend and Rico is her husband and the newly promotedconsiglierefor the Maltesefamiglia.
“The single bachelor life?” I clarify, and Leo nods. “Not for a second.”
“Nor me,” he instantly agrees.
“We’re lucky bastards.” Ben lifts his beer, and we chink bottles. “It’s not often we get time to stop and look back at everything we’ve achieved, but today is a day to be thankful for everything we have. Family life is the best, and days like today make all the stress worth it.”
“Amen to that,” I say as Sierra calls everyone over to the tables.
“Sierra’s pregnant,” Ben blurts, his face radiating happiness. “We’re not officially announcing it yet, but I wanted you both to know.”
“That’s awesome news.” I’m really pleased for them.
“Congrats, man.” Leo grabs the boss into a one-armed hug, and I do the same.
“Can we join the love-in, or is this a bro thing?” Nat asks, coming up behind her husband and sliding her arms around his waist.
“You can always join my love-in,dolcezza.” Leo twists his wife around in his arms and kisses her. “But I don’t share.” He swats her ass, and Nat laughs.
“You told them, didn’t you?” Sierra says.
“I couldn’t help it.” Ben pulls her into his arms, staring lovingly at her.
Sierra giggles. “I told the girls too.”
There isn’t much we keep from one another, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I grew up without a family, and now I’m a part of the best one. Life really doesn’t get better than this. Giving the two couples some privacy, I walk off, with one of the warm plates, in urgent need of my wife’s lips.
I set the plate down in the middle of the long table as everyone claims seats. “Sit,” I tell Rena, snatching the bottle of wine from her hands. “I’ll handle that. You relax.” I lean down and kiss her, holding her for a few beats, just enjoying the feel of her in my arms. Then I move around the table, pouring wine and enjoying the heat of the sun beating down on my back. The others arrive, setting the rest of the meat down on the table, before they take seats. Georgia is wrangling Will into a highchair beside Rena, while Elisa is strapping Rosa into hers beside Nat. The other kids are old enough to sit on normal chairs, and they sit together, munching on burgers, hotdogs, and fries.
I sit beside my wife after everyone has drinks, sliding my arm around her shoulders as she makes a plate for me. “Thanks, angel.” I cup the back of her head and kiss her softly. “This was the perfect idea.”
“I know, right?” Serena rests her head on my shoulder and contentment pours out of her like a tangible substance, fueling my own happiness. If my wife and my kids are happy, then I am too. Life is as simple as that.
