Page 13 of Dane

“Sure thing, boss,” Carlo replied, walking past us and leaving the den.

Dane went to my minibar and poured us both a glass of my good stash of liquor. “My instincts are to tell you that this is my house, but I want us to work together. I know there are times I might fuck up, but I’m trying my best; Rory walked over and handed me a glass. “Here, drink it.”

I took a sip and coughed. I hated bourbon.

“Gina went through a very traumatic experience at the hands of that piece of shit Jimmy Caruso. Nolan and I saved her, but she’s going to carry some scars for the rest of her life.”

There was a knock at the door. Dane went to open it as I took another sip of bourbon. It was Gina who entered first, followed by Nolan.

Gina’s eyes locked with mine. She marched over and slapped me hard across the face. “You kept Dane’s son a secret from us? How dare you!”

“Gina!” Dane shouted and stormed over. “She was only trying to protect my son!”

Gina’s eyes were full of rage as she glared at me. That’s when I noticed the pink scar that ran down the side of her cheek. “From who, Dane? Us? He’s our blood!”

She turned away from me, sobbing. Nolan walked over and wrapped his arms around her.

My throat burned, but not from the bourbon.

Dane placed his hands on my shoulders, “Are you okay?”

“Yes. I deserved it.” I whispered, looking down at my feet, still feeling the sting on my cheek where Gina slapped me.

“Can we see him?” Gina asked eagerly, her eyes wet with tears.

I interrupted Dane before he responded. “I’ll get Michael.”

I rushed out of the den, feeling suffocated. I went to Michael in the kitchen as he colored with crayons. “You can come into the den now. Your dad and I want you to meet someone, okay?”

He climbed off the kitchen chair, beaming with a wide grin. “Okay, Mommy!”

I took his hand and led him back into the den. As we entered, Gina and Nolan turned around.

“Come here, Michael,” Dane said, waving him over to stand beside him.

Michael let go of my hand and walked to Dane as he stared up at Gina and Nolan with wide eyes.

Dane leaned down, placing his hand on Michael’s tiny shoulder. “I want you to meet my sister. She’s your aunt Gina, and this is your uncle Nolan.”

Gina knelt and looked into Michael’s eyes and smiled. “Hi, Michael. I’m so very happy to meet you.”

He smiled at Gina and looked up as Nolan stepped up to him and leaned down, offering his hand. “Hello, Michael. A pleasure to meet you.”

Michael shook Nolan’s big hand. “Dad helped me find more she-shells on the beach today.”

Nolan smiled, “Wow, that’s fantastic!”

***

We left Dane and Nolan alone in the den, Carlo joined them. Michael went back into the kitchen and continued his coloring with Anna. I showed Gina to the living room and went to the kitchen to pour us both a glass of wine. I came back into the living room where Gina was sitting on the couch, and I handed her a wine glass.

“Thank you.” She took a sip. “Sorry that I slapped you.”

I sat down beside her on the couch. “No apology needed, Gina. I don’t blame you at all. I would’ve done the same.”

The fierce look in her eyes I’d seen not long ago had disappeared and replaced with sadness.

“Michael is a very handsome little boy.” She said.

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