Page 151 of Never Say Never

I looked at Enzo as he took another step away, keeping a hold on Tex as if the baby was a bomb threat. He was probably the easy brother. Gianpaolo wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. I should be freaking out a whole lot more, but I wasn't even sure what I should do or if I needed to do anything. Benito walked over to us and handed Emika over to me before storming toward Giancarlo. I looked down at the sweet child in my arms, and remembered the first time I held my girls. It had been terrifying holding something so small and fragile. I'd been filled with determination and love. And then they’d grown up on me.

Maybe one more wouldn’t be so bad.

Harlow came back over with the glasses of wine. He paused for a second before kissing Emika's forehead. He sipped his wine and held out the other for me.

The arguments started. Gin was adamant about keeping a baby that no one knew where he got it from. Paolo, my idiotic boyfriend, was on his twin's side. Enzo wanted nothing to do with the baby, and Benito was against it all. In a strange twist of fate, I was in agreement with Benito Vitale. If someone would have said I’d choose his side prior to being with Paolo, I'd have punched them in the face and gotten them fired.

"You can't steal a baby," Benito said.

"I didn't. I paid the mother a lot of money, and before you all start crying, she was giving him up for adoption anyway. I just beat all the other offers," Gin said.

"Gin, that's a real baby," Ash said.

"Yeah! Benito got married first and had his baby before me. Now Paolo has kids. It's not fair," Giancarlo pointed out.

"Has this been a running argument?” I asked Harlow.

"Yes, he's attempted to steal Emika a few times. Benito beat his ass, and I had to threaten his life. The man is baby obsessed."

I wasn't too sure if that helped or hurt his case. I could understand wanting a family, I had wanted one. It was in my plans since I was young, but Giancarlo didn't scream family man, let alone a dad. Then again, none of them did. Each of them had thick case files full to the brim of their crimes that pointed to them being heartless bastards. In my opinion, however, that was far from the truth. The Vitales loved hard and they viciously protected those they held dear. That now included me and the girls.

The argument raged on, the baby surprisingly calm in Giancarlo's arms. Any time he started to fuss, the big mafia man would shake him gently. Giancarlo on paper, terrible father. Giancarlo in person? Rocking a baby and keeping his voice down. He was different. A knock at the door pulled my attention. Harlow glanced over and sighed before heading over to it.

I followed him, not sure what to do. I didn't want to be pulled into the argument. He opened the door, and Tony stood outside of it. He glanced inside but stayed out in the hall. That was for the best. If he ever got too close to me, I had an ass whooping ready with his name on it.

His eyes darted from me to Harlow. "I'm headed home to see Caleb but before I go, there's someone downstairs asking to be let up. Wanted to mention it to Benito before I gave the clear."

Harlow didn't bother getting his husband. "What do they want? We are in the middle of a crisis."

Tony took a step back. "Some young guy, saying his father's the boss of the Vitale family."

I followed Tony's body language, holding Emika tight, and took a step back. Murderous intent rolled off Harlow; he turned on his heels and stormed toward Benito.

This was the family I willingly accepted. "Girls, playroom now." They didn't question, but fled to the room that had apparently used to be a gym.

How is he so good at that? They don’t listen to me at all? I need to ask him when the world isn’t on fire.

Pure insanity erupted in the penthouse, reminding me that Paolo needed to choose a new place to live. As much as I loved my girls having a family to hang out with, their crazy was bound to rub off on us at some point. I locked eyes with Paolo for a brief second and he grinned.

This was my family now. Insanity and all.