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“This was the wrong thing to do, Gwen. I left my best friend’s babies. Ny needs me.”
“We… we left our best friend’s babies in the hands of a man who will die covering them and will always make sure they’re safe. I’ve been working things out for my return. I’m ready to go back. I’ll handle this. We have to stick to the plan.”
“Stick to the plan? This all sounds crazy now. Have you seen Gio? Jace? They’re miserable. All the shit they had to go through just to come stay with me this weekend alone is enough to break their spirits.”
She’s wrong. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Having to detour a few times was nothing compared to not spending time with her at all. This is all my fault to begin with.
“Beth would have wanted us to finish this. This is what you two always wanted. A place in your world for women and others. Don’t tell me Emil and Beth died for nothing.”
“But they’re gone. Why am I still doing this?”
“Because of your son. They told you, you couldn’t be a female and be Don. They told you, you couldn’t be in love with a woman and be in this thing. They told you I couldn’t be more than your consigliere and even then, I could never be made so I don’t count for shit.
“Beth was your motherfucking soldier. She wasn’t just ready to die. She did, all for you, for this thing. Now your son is facing that same world and guess what?
“He’s in love with a Black girl, his best friend is Danish American, but make no mistake, Jace will be his consigliere and, Ava, they’re going to find their way into a relationship just like yours.
“It’s been happening all their lives. Gio loves them both, and for them, he’s going to bend. He’s going to figure it out, but if you don’t finish this, he can’t have any of that.”
“But he’s so much like his father. It will never work.”
“Allow them to decide that. For now, we guide them into what you couldn’t have. Gio gets the crown, the girl, and the respect they all deserve.”
“He’s the one. My father said it the day Gio was born. He’s the change the families don’t know they need.”
“He is. I’m heading back, I can help Elijah and I’ll help Ny channel some of that anger,” Gwen says.
“Yes, she needs you. She’s making soldiers, Gwen. She’s just like her mother.”
“Yeah, I see that, but soldiers for what?”
“That’s what I need you to find out. She’s a smart girl. Something has triggered this, and I’ll put money on it connecting to my son.”
I look Jace in the eyes and we have a silent chat. I know why Ny is making soldiers. I left and she doesn’t think I’ll keep my promise.
I’m always a step ahead of everyone else, but Ny has always been a step ahead of me. I knew a long time ago my godmother was training an army for Ma. I once mentioned wanting an army of my own. This is Ny answering my thoughts.
I wave Jace to follow me back to our rooms. When we get out of earshot of the office, I look at him.
“She’s making them for you.”
“I know.”
“Matt was a message.”
“I know that too,” I snarl. I pause and turn to him. I hate what I’m about to do, but it needs to be done. “I think you should go back with Gwen. Ny needs you, but Jace, I still want her, and I plan to make this right. Don’t do anything to take her from me. Give her want she needs, nothing more.”
“I promise. You can trust me. All I’ve ever wanted was my own family. That’s you and Ny. I’ll never do anything to destroy that.”
This I know, which is why I’ve made peace with it. I tug my best friend into a hug. “You fuck her, I’ll kill you,” I whisper in his ear.
I release him, pat his cheek, and give a smile he understands. Like me, it’s innocent until it’s not. He returns the smile.
“You will give her to me. I’ll wait.”
“Fuck you,” I snort.
He shrugs. “Now, that’s not going to happen. You don’t need to ever worry about that.”
