Page 109 of Captured Innocence

A wise man once said keep your loved ones close but your enemies closer. Whoever that asshole was obviously didn’t have a beautiful family.

Barking.

Laughing.

Babies cooing.

A child giggling.

Christmas music.

Laughter.

They were all things that most people took for granted. Not this man, at least not any longer. I was happy, so much so I could barely keep from smiling. Was it fair? I refused to answer the question. Maybe not, but I would never allow myself to forget how damn lucky I was.

I chuckled as I walked away from the festivities, getting a beady eye from my lovely wife. We’d been married the night before on Christmas Eve, the entire small event magical. Now my nephew was running around showing what Babbo Natale had brought him, the mound of presents ungodly.

Even the twins hadn’t been forgotten, their one month birthday something both Joy and Enzo had insisted on. With four kids on the estate, and three new puppies, the house was full of love.

I took a deep breath, eyeing the recent snowfall with amusement. We were in southern Italy yet it had snowed for Christmas, which was one of the things my beloved bride had asked for.

Stranger things had happened.

As I studied the falling crystals in the limited light, I sensed my brothers had followed me, likely eager to get away from all the joy if only for a little while.

“A perfect holiday,” Enzo said. “Although I’m exhausted.”

“New babies will do that do you,” I told him.

“Twins. I’ve aged ten years.”

D’Artagnan laughed and pulled off his Santa hat, tossing it aside. “This is perfect, including the damn snow.”

“Yeah, it is.” We stood quietly, sharing in the special moment, still strangely awkward.

“Any issues with business?” Enzo asked.

“None. Everything is running smoothly,” Dar answered.

“Enemies to control?” I threw in for fun.

Dar shook his head. “Nope. The usual but everything is very quiet. Incidentally, the other famiglia Dons sent congrats.”

“On babies or the wedding or both?” Enzo asked, half laughing.

“Both,” Dar said, grinning.

“We are lucky men,” I said, lifting my glass.

“You do realize they have us wrapped around their fingers,” Dar said casually.

Enzo snorted and clicked his glass to mine. “Not in my world. But I have a leash and collar just in case.”

We laughed together, something else I never thought would happen. “A toast, gentlemen. To family. To business. To the loves of our live. And to my beautiful nieces and nephews.”

“And to everything in the future,” Dar said, “including…”

When he stopped mid-sentence, glancing toward the door, I turned my head. My beautiful bride was standing in the doorway wagging her finger at him. “Don’t ruin the surprise, Dar, or I’ll kill you myself.”

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