Page 119 of Tempting God

“Sir, your guests are here.”

“Show them in.”

Alessandro and Isa enter first. Alessandro carries his son, who holds on to the lapel of his jacket. Brooks and Hannah are next. Brooks carries two infant carriers, one in each hand. Last is Charles and Aimée. I peer around Charles.

“Jim and Buffy didn’t make it?”

Charles hesitates, but says, “They were in Thailand and didn’t want to cut their trip short.”

My jaw tics, but Greer touches my arm.

“They can meet Gracie later.”

Her message is loud and clear. Now is not the time to get angry over this.

Isa moves forward. “Let me see my sweet goddaughter.”

“Hey!” Hannah says. “I thought I was her godmother!”

Greer goes to the bassinet in the corner of the living room, lifting baby Gracie.

“Ladies, a girl can never have too many godmothers.”

She hands Gracie to Isa, who immediately tears up.

“Oh, you are precious. Look at those eyes. Just like your Mommy!” She turns her gaze to Alessandro. “I demand a daughter.”

Alessandro’s lips twitch. “Anything you desire, Dolcezza.”

Greer turns to Hannah. “What about you?”

Hannah hands over little Katie to my wife. Well, I think it’s Katie. Since Katie and Samantha are identical twins, it’s still hard to tell them apart, though Brooks swears Samantha has a little mole on her arm that Katie doesn’t.

Hannah laughs. “Ask me again when they’re sleeping through the night.” She holds out her arms and Alessandro hands off his son. “And how is the heir to the Moretti Mafia?”

Isa answers, “He’s much like his father.”

Everyone laughs except for Alessandro, who says, “I take that as a compliment.”

“Oh, it’s a compliment,” Isa teases. “As for babies, well, we have news.”

“No!” Both Hannah and Greer exclaim.

“Not that kind of news. Jeez! No, Alessandro and I are buying a house in Dallas. We want our children to grow up knowing each other.”

The women move closer, talking about all the things our families will do when we’re in town and once my presidency is over. Even Aimée seems excited. Meanwhile, I get the men’s attention. We discreetly exit the living room, going to a more secure room within my residence.

Alessandro loosens his tie as he sits. “Damn unnerving seeing the snipers on top of the White House.”

“Just a precaution,” I answer, pouring each of the men a drink. I turn to Charles. “Where is Jim? And don’t give me some bullshit line. We all know he’s not in Thailand with Buffy.”

Charles says, “I haven’t heard from him in a week, but I received this today.”

He pulls a letter from his pocket and we all still, because, fucking hell, we’ve all gotten similar letters from the man who killed DeLeon.

“What does it say?”

Charles reads, “Head Elite Member Blanc, it is with great sadness that I must inform you that Jim Jones’ life will end soon. Enclosed, you will see why.”

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