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I let out a sigh.

Once she’s gone, Giovanni calls from the other side of the pool, “I like her.”

“I like her too,” I admit, strolling around the pool. Giovanni circles the pool, watching me.

“Can she stay forever, Daddy?” he asks, picking up speed as I start to jog around the pool.

“She can’t, my boy. She has her own family waiting for her to go home,” I say.

I get close enough to him to spray him, but he doesn’t react. Instead, he looks sad.

“But I like her, and she…” He hesitates and looks at his feet. “She could be like a mom to me. I’d like a mom. All the boys at school have moms,” he says quietly.

The comment rips my heart right out of my chest. I knew Giovanni always wanted a mom, but I didn’t realize it was affecting him so badly.

“Hey, hey, hey.” I kneel beside him. “You don’t need a mom; you’ve got me. Maybe one day we’ll find someone who can be your mom, but until then I’m not going anywhere, okay? And your mom would be so proud of you if she were here.”

Giovanni nods.

“Now come on. I’ll give you one free shot before we start playing again.” I stand up and hold my arms out.

Giovanni raises his pistol and shoots me square in the chest before running away. I chase after him, but my heart really isn’t in it anymore.

Could not having a motherly figure in his life be damaging my son? I didn’t think he would need one so soon. I mean, I provide everything for him. Attention, love, cuddles. I read him bedtime stories and help him with his summer homework. I’m there when he hurts himself and needs someone to make it better.

I know it isn’t easy when all your friends have something so normal that you don’t, but I hoped it wouldn’t affect him this badly. Maybe I should consider dating again.

After a while, I scoop Giovanni up and take him to try off and get changed into his clothes. Once we’re done, he runs off to the kitchen to help Gia, and I go to put my own stuff back on and go to my study. I locate my phone and dial Bruno’s number. Anything to distract me from this pain in my chest.

“Yeah, Matt, what’s up?” he answers the phone. “I’m just on my way back now.”

“How did it go with shutting down Russo’s operation?” I ask, sitting at my desk.

Maria brings in some coffee for me, and I nod my thanks to her.

The information we got off Michael’s laptop turned out to be invaluable in taking down one of the threats to my casino bids. Andrea might have pulled out, but Juliano might get some ideas of his own, and I can’t have that.

I’ve issued attacks on several fronts already, taking down several of his smuggling rings and having the cops show up at several of his deals. I know he’s starting to feel the pressure, and he has no idea who it’s coming from.

I put sugar and milk in my coffee as Bruno speaks.

“Yesterday we managed to intercept one of their transporters and seize their weapons. They have no idea it was us. I used one of the other families for the actual heist. Juliano was apparently furious at this turn of events.”

Bruno pauses, but I only grunt to let him know I heard him.

He continues, “This morning we targeted the business you asked, and we were in and out quickly. We managed to shut down the operation and get away with all the cash without Russo even knowing we were there.”

“I didn’t think it would be a problem,” I say.

“We left the guns, though, and tipped off the cops who showed up around an hour after we’d been there. They raided and seized all the weapons and counterfeit goods. Julioano’s in hot water now because he has to explain what connects him to this business. He’s trying to deny he is connected, but I left the books there just in case he tried to do that.”

“Smart move,” I say, sipping my coffee. I smile briefly as Giovanni’s laugh floats over from the kitchen. “Now, we just need to make sure he doesn’t recover financially and is sufficiently distracted from the casino bids that he doesn’t try to one-up us. I want you to keep an eye on him, report his every move. We’re still getting emails for Michael that they haven’t redirected yet, and it’s proven to be most helpful.”

We talk for a few hours about what our next course of action is. I need Bruno to check on our bid and see if we can raise it. We may have taken out the Bianchis and the Russos, but the Russians and Irish won’t be so vulnerable.

By dinnertime, I’m starving, but I feel much better. I have compartmentalized my son's heartache to the back of my mind, and I’m ready to eat.

When I get to the dinner table, I see Maria has dressed Giovanni in smart pants and a shirt. She’s brushed his hair back out of his face, making him look so much like me. I chuckle softly.