“Not for a while. He told me last night he’s going to Ireland today with his family for Christmas. He won’t be back until January third.”
I felt like throwing a party when he told me. It required every ounce of acting talent to pretend to be sad. At least I’ll have a reprieve from the stress of spending time with him, and I’ll get to spend the holidays with my family and Joshua. I’m hoping the assignment might be ended before Liam returns and I’ve seen the last of him.
“That’s unfortunate. Hanging around the bar might have proven beneficial. The holiday spirit can often lower guards and loosen tongues.”
“Can’t we ask O’Hara to send his men there to keep their ear to the ground?” Cristian suggests.
“We can, and we will,” Joshua says. “I really don’t see how there is much more Gia can do. She won’t get an opportunity to search the bar even if invited back.”
“I think we should stage a little breaking and entering,” Ben says. “If Liam is keeping anything there, we’ll find it. We’ll hire outside the family. Make it look like a Christmas robbery so we’re not showing our hand early.”
“I think that would work,” Massimo says. He turns to face me. “We’ll extract you fully in January. You’ll have to go into hiding until this blows over. Liam will not take kindly to you disappearing on him.”
Thank fuck. I breathe a sigh of relief.
“You can stay at my house,” Ben offers. “It’s completely secure, and we have tons of room. The east wing is free right now. You can stay there, if you like.” Ben has gone to great lengths to keep the location of his home a secret, and no one knows he lives in Greenwich or the coordinates of the estate. He has round-the-clock guards and top-notch security measures including a large basement-level panic room, equipped with full supplies.
“Or you can stay with Mom,” Joshua says. “You know she’d love to have you too.”
I smile at both men. “Sounds like a plan. Thank you.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Joshua
“I’m glad you’re here,” I whisper in Gia’s ear as we sit side by side at the long, noisy table. Christmas is being hosted by Serena and Alesso this year, and everyone is here including Gia’s family. The Salerno house is also on the grounds of Ben’s vast estate, which is handy because it means everyone can stay over. Gia, Gia’s parents, and her siblings are staying at Mom and Leo’s house, so I’m hoping for a sleepover of our own.
Gia’s assignment is all but over, and she’ll be moving permanently into one of Mom’s guest rooms in a few days. I’ll feel more at ease when I know she’s safely tucked away here. I’m going to help her pack up her stuff when we get back to the city in a few days.
Dinner is a lively affair, filled with tons of delicious food, expensive wines, and lots of laughter. But it’s the girl sitting at my side that makes it the most special. I’m done denying my feelings for Gia and done denying myself what I want. The situation is still critical with the threat looming over us, but I’m refusing to think aboutmafiosobullshit today.
Today is about family and making new memories with the woman who has come to mean so much to me.
“Here, Mom. I forgot to give these to you earlier,” I say, creeping up on her in the living room after the men and kids have finished with the cleanup. I hand her the box of chocolates I picked up at the White Plains Chocolaterie. They are her favorite.
“You are really spoiling me, Joshua. You and Caleb have already given us too much!” We gave them a cruise trip to Italy with a babysitting voucher so they can enjoy a romantic vacation together. Caleb and I will split the time in half and clear our schedules so we can be out here to take care of Leif and Rosa. It won’t be a chore. I don’t get to spend enough time with my little brother and sister, and I’m already looking forward to it.
“You’re our mom, and we love you. Nothing will ever be too much.”
Tears glisten in her eyes as she pulls me into her arms. “She is so good for you. She’s bringing you back to life,” Mom whispers in my ear.
I haven’t said a peep to anyone about the status of my relationship with Gia, but I guess it’s probably obvious by now. We were practically sitting on top of one another at dinner and grinning like lovesick loons.
“I’m thrilled for you.” She grips my arms. “You deserve all the happiness in the world. Embrace it, my love.” She kisses both my cheeks, smiling as she swipes at the tears in her eyes.
“Look what I found!” Raven shrieks, waving a sprig of mistletoe in the air. Her eyes scan the room, settling on Marco Bianchi with determination.
“Here comes trouble,” Gia murmurs, grinning as she sidles up next to me.
My arm wraps around her waist of its own volition. Mom practically floats off the ground. Across the room, I spot Frankie whispering to her husband and smiling as she looks in our direction.
“Does Ben know his little princess is crushing on Gia’s brother?” I ask Mom, chuckling as I watch Raven dangle the mistletoe over Marco’s head. At eleven, she is almost as tall as he is at thirteen.
“Oh, he’s aware, and he’s not happy.” Mom smiles. “Raven will always be his little girl even when she’s all grown up. She reminds me of Elisa at that age.”
“I’d better warn my little brother,” Gia teases, leaning into my side. “Though he’d be lucky to have Raven adore him the way Elisa adores Caleb.”
“She’s far too good for my brother.” I’m only repeating what Caleb has said so many times, but Mom’s not happy.
