Page 106 of Shades of Loyalty
But there's no time for hesitation, no time to second guess. The pieces are moving, and I need them all in their right place.
The familiar warmth of the children’s room is a welcome distraction from the brutal decisions I’ll need to make soon.
The second I walk through the door, Enzo’s little arms wrap around my leg, clinging to me with all the innocent affection only a child could give.
His tiny voice breaks through the tension swirling in my mind.
“Hello there, little guy,” I smile, ruffling his hair. His laughter is like a healing balm for my soul.
The world might be falling apart, but right here, with these two kids, I can momentarily forget.
Just the way I feel with Jennifer.
My girl’s grin is soft but knowing. “Looks like it’s time for a little trip,” she teases, her voice light, but I can see the flicker of concern in her eyes.
She knows how hard things have gotten lately; how dangerous the stakes are.
“Trip, huh? So, we’re all going?” I glance over at Victoria, Andrew, and the kids, my thoughts briefly drifting to the chaos at hand. But then, I focus. We’re here. Together.
The only person who’s not here is our father. Whether he’s hiding in his room or already planning for the funeral, doesn’t matter.
All I pray for is that he’s okay.
I mean, fuck, he’s not. But I hope he’ll get through this. We all need to. Together.
Andrew grins. “Well, obviously we’re all going. I don’t think their food and drinks will taste that good, though,” he jokes, eyeing Jennifer. “Mine is much better.”
Jennifer laughs, the sound a perfect reminder of the life I want to protect. “Is your café open today? I don’t think so.”
“You’ve got a point there,” Andrew hums in agreement, his voice warm.
As the playful banter continues, I find myself distracted, my thoughts drifting back to the darker side of my world. But then Victoria’s laugh cuts through my thoughts.
I look at her. “Why areyoulaughing so loudly? The last time I checked, you barely can even cook,” I tease, raising an eyebrow.
Victoria gasps. “Excuse me?” she scoffs, playfully offended. But I can see the laughter in her eyes, the bond between us that’s remained through all these years.
I shrug casually. “It’s the truth. I still can’t believe you can’t cook. You adopt a boy and can’t cook food for him. Terrible mother, if you ask me,” I tease.
“Says the man who never even tried. Why do we have a chef in the house again? Oh, right,” she smirks, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth.
“Got more important things to do,” I reply with a nonchalant shrug. “You think I could cook for this manypeople? Please, let’s be realistic here. I can cook; I just don’t want to. There’s ahugedifference between us two.”
Victoria laughs despite herself, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Fine. At least I know how to treat children.”
Before I can respond, I glance at Mary. She’s always been quiet, reserved. And yet, when I tease her about being a dad, she giggles in that soft, shy way of hers.
“I could be a good dad, couldn’t I?” I ask, my voice gentle.
Her giggle fills the room, and for a second, it feels like the weight of the world has lifted. Just a moment of happiness amidst the chaos.
Then, she gets up, walks over to me, and holds out her favorite toy—the bunny I’d bought for her. Although, well, she can barely hold it.
It’s too big for her. It’s still funny to me.
“Yes, you could be mine! You’d be suuuuch a good daddy!” she says, her voice full of warmth, her smile pure and innocent.
I kneel to her level with a soft smile on my face. “I love bunny just as much as you!” She tells me as my heart begins to swell with emotion I’m not ready to confront yet.
