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I’ve never wanted to celebrate my birthday. Doing so in our house was never a good time. Oh, for sure, everyone had the best day and there was food, cake, and celebrations, but once everyone was gone and it was just Aldo and I left, he’d beat me for some slight that I made that day. Something I couldn’t even remember doing. So my birthday became a day I didn’t want to celebrate. Until now.
“Thank you,” I say to Ade as she walks over to me. I pull her into my arms.
“You’re welcome. It’s time to start making new memories,” she whispers. “You’re so loved, Dario, so, so loved, and it’s time to embrace that.”
This is why Ade is my favorite sibling. She’s so pure and sweet. But she’s right, it is time to start making new memories.
“Come,” Nonna says as she shuffles into the room with her hands filled with trays of food. “Buon compleanno, mio ragazzo, ti amo, Dario.”
I grin at her. My nonna is the fucking shit. “Grazie, Nonna, sei fantastica e ti voglio bene.”
She beams at me, her eyes no longer holding the pain and shame of finding out what her son did to those she loved. She’s at peace, and we’re all fucking happy that she is. She’s nothing like our parents.
“Papa,” Davide says, sitting next to Niccolò and Rocco. My son is in awe of them, and he loves being around them whenever he can. “Happy birthday.”
I walk over to him and ruffle his hair. “Grazie, figlio.”
The dinner goes smoothly. Everyone is talking and getting along. It’s been a long time since this happened, and it’s something I know our wives would like to happen more often.
All the women get along. Teagan and Portia are still thick as thieves, but they’ve taken Inessa under their wing, and Jade’s their biggest protector. Add in Anna-Marie and Ade, and you’ve got six women who love to gossip and have girl’s nights.
“How does it feel to be closer to another year older?” Elio says with a grin.
“I still won’t be as old or as ugly as you,” I say.
The kids are in bed, Marianna has returned home, Nonna’s also gone to bed, and the adults are in the backyard having drinks and shooting the shit. The women are huddled together, no doubt conspiring something.
My cell rings, and I see it’s an international number. 00353… Where the fuck is that?
“Hello?” I answer.
“Dario,” I hear the deep Irish accent of Maverick. “We need help,” he says, and I get to my feet. “It’s Stephen. His woman is in trouble.”
“Where am I headed?” I ask, and I notice everyone has gone quiet. I feel Portia’s gaze on me.
“Dublin, lad. You can bring your wife and son. Stephen’s wife has been taken by her own father. This isn’t going to be a fucking war.”
“I’ll be on the first flight out,” I tell him. “But you’ve got to know, Mav, that I won’t be alone.” I have a feeling Rocco will be coming too.
His chuckle is deep and loud. “I get that. I just know that once this comes to a head and it gets out, shit’s going to hit the fan. I have a feeling my sister may actually try to kill Stephen.”
It’s my turn to laugh this time. “Sounds like a normal family to me,” I mutter. We all try our best not to kill our family when they annoy the ever-loving shit out of us.
“That it does. I’ll see you soon, Dario,” Maverick says and ends the call.
I turn and see everyone waiting and watching me. I quickly fill them in on what Maverick told me, and Jade frowns deeply. “I wonder why he thinks Callie will kill him?”
I shrug. “Dunno, and don’t care. I’ll organize a flight leaving tomorrow.”
“If you need us, we’ll come too,” Rocco says, and I’m shocked. I thought he’d insist on coming.
I nod. “Let me see what’s going down, and then we’ll make that call.”
“Sounds good,” he says and brings his whiskey glass to his lips.
Portia walks over to us, and I pull her onto my lap. “You good coming to Dublin?” I ask.
“Yep. I messaged Kelvin and have told him I’m working remotely. He says it’s no problem.”
