Page 24 of Of Lies and Shadows

“Why don’t you go home to the bambini? I’ll handle this.”

I nod. Vito is the only man I trust completely. He’s been my consigliere, my best friend, my right hand long before I ever stepped into my father’s shoes.

When I get home, it’s just past eight. The kitchen is spotless, dimly lit, and empty. I let out a small sigh of disappointment.

It’s stupid, I know. But I had a shitty day, and somehow, I want to talk to Alice, even if it’s just about the kids. Even if it’s all pretend.

I head upstairs, trying to come up with an excuse, a question about Lucia’s reading or Alessio’s imagination, something that would justify knocking on her door.

But I stop when I see Lucia’s door slightly ajar and hear Alice’s soft, melodic voice floating out.

I walk slowly to the doorway and pause, listening.

“And they lived happily ever after.”

Lucia’s voice comes next, small and fragile. “Why didn’t my mommy and daddy get a happily ever after? Why did mommy go live with the fairies?”

I tense.Fuck.Talk about a heavy question.

There’s a beat of silence. Then Alice replies, her voice warm and careful.

“Well… you know, happily ever after doesn’t always look the same for everyone. For your mommy and daddy, you and Alessio are the happily ever after.”

“We are?” The hope in Lucia’s voice slams into my chest, sharp and sudden.

“Of course,” Alice says. “You’re both extraordinary. You're proof that your mommy and daddy loved each other.”

God. She’s not wrong—not about the love. It wasn’t for each other, not really. Maria was clever, and I was careless, and we both got what we wanted. But when it came to Lucia and Alessio… that was real. Theyarethe best thing either of us ever did.

And hearing Alice say it, gently, simply, without judgment, does something to me I don’t know how to name.

“Areyougetting your happily ever after?” Lucia asks.

She’s talking to Alice. I hold my breath and step closer, peering through the narrow crack in the door, needing to see her face when she replies.

“Maybe one day,” Alice says softly. There’s sorrow in her voice, real and quiet, the kind only grown-ups recognize.

Lucia misses it completely, nuzzling closer to the woman lying beside her in bed.

“Okay, princess. Time to sleep.”

“Time for the monster prayer?” Lucia asks, yawning into Alice’s shoulder.

I frown, unsure what that even means.

Alice laughs gently, and just as I start to pull back, too late, she looks up.

Her eyes meet mine.

Caught.Red-handed. Like the creep I apparently am,spying outside my daughter’s bedroom.

I push the door open, pretending I’m not even a little embarrassed. “I just came to say goodnight.”

Alice sits up quickly, smoothing the skirt that had ridden up her legs, revealing far too much of them for my current state of mind. Long. Curvy. Bare.

Lucia brightens. “Papa! You can do the monster prayer too!”

Alice stands, offering me the smallest smile.

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