Page 13 of The Godfather’s Christmas Twins

My breath catches. "Nothing changed."

"Really?" Nic doesn't sound convinced. "Because last Christmas, you two could barely stay in the same room together."

"That's not true." But even I hear the defensiveness in my voice. "Max was just busy. Preoccupied with work."

"He's always been busy with work, Gia. Never stopped him from spending time with you before."

I close my eyes, remembering how Max would barely look at me. How he'd make excuses to leave early, his shoulders tense whenever I entered a room.

“Bella thinks there’s something more between you.”

I swallow. “Now who’s being disrespectful about Max?”

Nic turns away for a moment. Finally, he sighs. "Look, whatever happened or didn't happen between you two, Max is still the best option for keeping you safe."

"Nothing happened," I insist, but my voice quavers.

But what I don't say is how Max's careful avoidance, his rigid politeness, speaks volumes about his worry that I'll throw myself at him again. He’s keeping his distance so I won't mistake friendship for something more.

"Then what's really bothering you about this?"

I press my forehead against the cool glass. "Nothing. You're right. Max is the best choice."

I can't tell Nic how Max's distance hurts more than any stalker's threats. How living under his roof means watching him retreat behind walls of propriety and duty every time I enter a room. How every day will be a reminder of what we can never have.

“Good. I’ve arranged for educational material to be delivered to you for the kids’ education. You’re set up for homeschooling until it's safe to return."

"You've really thought this through."

"Of course I have. You're my sister." His voice softens. "I know this is difficult, moving across the country, disrupting their routine. But Max's compound is like a fortress. You'll have your own wing, complete privacy."

"What about my work? The quarterly reports are due next week, and?—”

"Don't worry about that." Nic's casual dismissal makes my teeth clench. "I'll have someone else handle it."

"Someone else?" Heat rises to my cheeks. "I've been managing these accounts?—”

"It's just temporary, Gia."

"Is it? Because it sounds like you're treating me like I’m your kid sister playing at having a job."

He rolls his eyes. “That's not what I meant. I value your work.”

“Valued workers can’t be simply replaced.”

"Your safety matters more than paperwork."

"It's not just paperwork!" The words burst out louder than intended. "I know you think you're protecting me, but treating my work like it's disposable… that hurts, Nic. It makes me feel like you don't really see me as a professional, just as your little sister who needs to be tucked away somewhere safe."

The silence stretches.

“Are you fighting?” Daniella asks from across the plane where she’d resumed coloring.

“Brothers and sisters argue sometimes,” I say.

She shrugs and goes back to her picture.

"Your work is valuable," Nic says, his voice lowering slightly. "But right now, Daniella and Dario need you focused on them. On keeping them safe."

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