Page 121 of Obsessed by My Ex's Mafia Uncle

“Plenty,” he replies easily. “Just deciding which one won’t get me thrown out of this office.”

“Try me.”

“You sure you’re ready for this?” He studies me for a second, like he’s weighing it.

“Ready for what?”

“For her,” he answers simply. “For the kid. For everything that comes with it.”

I don’t answer immediately. Because I already know what he’s doing. He's pulling at the thread, trying to see where it breaks.

“I didn’t say they're moving in or something,” I reply, my voice bristling with enough bite.

“But you’re not keeping your distance again,” he reiterates, like he’s testing the word for cracks.

“It’s not necessary.” I shrug.

“Are you sure?” His brow lifts.

“You think this is a joke?” My fingers curl slightly against the desk.

“No.” He shakes his head, a smile playing on his lips. “I think you’re playing this wrong.”

“It’s not a game, Enzo.” I let out a short breath through my nose. “I’m not playing anything. This is my child we're talking about.”

“That’s exactly why you need to play this right so she doesn't get hurt.”

“I’m not doing this with you,” I mutter, pushing out of the chair, pacing once behind the desk before stopping again.

“Doing what?”

“This…” I gesture vaguely, irritation weaving through the motion. “This… talk.”

“Sure.” He watches me, unbothered. “Jump right in without an actual plan as to what comes next.”

“Enzo…”

“After the cookout, what next?” he cuts in, like he hasn’t been circling this the entire time.

“Don’t ask me that,” I clip, my voice dropping.

“It’s a valid question.” He lifts his hands slightly, defensive.

“It’s an annoying one.”

“Same thing sometimes.”

I exhale slowly, leaning back against the desk, my arms crossing over my chest.

“Look, I know it’s dangerous to have me as a father,” I start, the words gauged. “I’m not delusional, but being an absent father is worse for the child.”

“I hope you know what you're doing.” He exhales, leaning back further into his chair. “But whatever you do, you have my support.”

“I know.” I push off the desk, pacing once more before stopping at the window, my gaze dropping to the city below.

The movement outside seems predictable.

Unlike this.