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STONE
It’s hard not to—knowing what I put Nora through, what I hid from her for so long and what the truth did to her, Dani, and their mother, what it and my choices did toeveryone. She had every reason to push me away and never look back, to try to keep me from Isaac when he was born and cut me out of their lives. Yet, somehow, this magnificent woman has stuck by me and given melife.
I’ve done everything in my power since the day I came back to make it up to her, to atone for my sins and become a man she can be proud of, a good father to Isaac and Coen and husband to her, but sometimes, it still feels like I’m failing.
And seeing that boy last night, hearing Luca and Byron tell me how they found him and what had been happening outside one ofourclubs, makes anger flare red hot like I haven’t felt in years. Instantly, my mind placed Isaac and Coen in his shoes, and that need to protect Jude when I didn’t even know him roared to the forefront.
None of us will ever let any harm come to him again, but we all know he has a long, bumpy road ahead that I fear we are wholly unprepared to help him navigate.
Nora’s soft hand finds my cheek. “Where’d you go just now?”
I force a smile at her. “Nowhere, angel.”
At least, nowhere good.
But I need to take my own advice and not focus on the surprise Christmas guest who will be arriving soon and instead concentrate on everyone around me. Scanning the room, I find the presents all opened and the kids disappearing in small groups to start playing with their new games and toys. Angelina hangs out near Storm and Landon, flipping through things on her phone, seemingly disinterested in the fanfare we still go through for the younger ones.
“It looks like everyone is done.” I incline my head toward the kitchen. “The girls are going to start cooking now.”
The incredible brunch spread we already enjoyed before opening gifts filled our stomachs well, but now, it’s time to get ready for the massive Christmas feast Nana always prepares for Christmas dinner—which is my cue to stay far away from the kitchen.
Dani slides off Savage’s lap and approaches us, her eyebrows raised. “Nora, you going to go help Antonia, Skye, and Storm in the kitchen?”
Nora laughs and shakes her head. “Wasn’t planning on it. Since they always ban you, I figured you, me, and Care would clean up all the wrapping paper in here and get the table ready.”
Her sister scowls at her. “I wasnotbanned from the kitchen.”
Storm sticks her head around the corner and points a finger at her. “Yes, you were! We learned our lesson many, many years ago not to let you touchanything.Not even the salad!”
Dani glares in her direction but doesn’t respond, just takes a sip of her mimosa. “Whatever. I can set a table.”
Nora slips from my arms to join her, with Caroline following close behind, leaving me leaning against the mantle with my tonic and lime, staring at the twinkling white lights on the tree.
Gabe approaches, beer in hand, and rests his shoulder against the mantle next to me, examining the disaster the kids have left in their wake. “You would think now that they’re all a bit older, they wouldn’t make such a mess.”
I chuckle and take a sip of my drink. “You’re insane if you really thought that would ever happen. They’re like Tasmanian devils, whirling in and whirling out of rooms, leaving destruction for the adults to clean up.”
Angelina glances up at us and scowls. “Hey, I resent that blatant generalization!”
I point at her. “Present company excluded.”
She pushes up from her chair and wanders out toward the sliding doors that lead to the back door, apparently not wanting to get stuck cleaning up after her little sister and cousins.
I don’t blame her.
Gabe lifts the amber bottle to his lips, takes a drink, then sighs. “You seem distracted today.”
To say the least.
And I thought I was doing a good job of covering it and was warning Nora not to let the kids see her rattled.
“I am.” My gaze cuts to the closed front door. “This situation with the boy Luca and Byron found…”
Gabe nods slowly. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it, either.” He casts a quick glance around the room and steps closer. “But everyone should be able to rest a lot easier, knowing Luca took care of the father.”
It takes a moment for his words to fully register.
