Page 6 of Beni

“And you won’t be, if you continue this behavior,” Gian returned.

Ouch.

That stung a little.

Marcus cleared his throat, coming further into the office to take one of the two high-back leather chairs that faced their father’s desk. Gian looked to his oldest son, considering something before he asked, “And what did you have to say to them about all of this?”

“Nothing we say to them matters. That’s half the problem.”

“Pardonne-moi?”

“They’re spoiled,” Marcus returned in English, knowing the twins had always struggled to learn French like their father spoke more often than not. “And because we’ve spent more time and effort cleaning after their messes than correcting them, this is the problem we face.”

We, Beni noticed.

Not you.

Marcus took responsibility for his brothers as much as he placed blame on his parents. It wasn’t lost on Beni, and he wasn’t shocked to hear Marcus say as much, either. Always the responsible one—he looked out for everyone in their family. He felt an innate sense of duty toward his younger brothers, and for his parents. Maybe it was because he was the oldest, or it could have been the fact he was the only Guzzi brother that was a singleton without a twin to match him, and better him.

After all, Beni always said Bene was his better half, and his brother would reply in kind. When he was nervous, Bene was there to push him. If he went to far, Bene would rein him in. It was the same for him with his twin.

Chris and Corrado were the same.

Marcus, though?

He had to do it all alone.

His need to protect and look after his family came from a different source than theirs, but it was there, nonetheless. It was why they loved him. Even if he was just like their dad.

Some days, Beni found himself wishing all his brothers could go back to a time when they were nothing more than teenagers. Before the mafia swept into their life to determine how they behaved and treated one another when the doors were open to the public, and even when they were closed. He missed the times when Marcus was easier, more carefree. That seemed so long ago, really.

“They’re selfish because we’ve allowed them to be,” Marcus continued like the twins weren’t sitting right there, “and that’s the other half of the problem. Spoiled, and selfish. They don’t consider the family—their need to protect our name comes from a self-centered place, and not for a selfless reason. They don’t consider the mess they make, only the instant gratification from their outbursts.”

Gian shifted on his feet, letting his arms fall to his sides. “And so, how do we correct that?”

For the first time since entering the office, Marcus glanced the twins’ way. Beni could plainly see the concern warring with duty in his oldest brother’s gaze. And yet, Marcus hardened his expression because that’s what he needed to do. And he was nothing if not reliable. He got shit done, even if it was hard.

Like now.

Beni respected it.

Even if he hated what came next.

“We have to stop letting them run wild, and then cleaning up after them when something goes wrong. We can’t continue to expect them to learn when all we’ve taught them is someone else will be there to take care of them, Papa. That’s all.”

Gian nodded, his attention going to Beni first, and Bene second. “He’s right, you know.”

The twins said nothing.

They didn’t really need to.

Gian pushed away from the desk, standing straight before brushing invisible dust from his pant legs. He took the time to fix the gold G cufflinks on his suit jacket, and then lifted his head slightly so that the twins were forced to meet their father’s gaze.

“I want to say it’s because you both are young, but I think a bigger part of the problem is that you both feed off one another. Is it made better or worse because you are in home territory, and you know someone will be there to catch you when you mess up, or fall? That’s yet to be determined, but we’re going to find out.”

“What does that—”

Gian held up a single hand, quieting Bene. “No, it’s my turn now. I have given the two of you more than enough chances to correct the issues you seem to have, but that clearly hasn’t worked, Bene.”