Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Dad
Chapter 251

"Really, Fay," Kent says, pretending to ignore Bianci and putting a solicitous hand on my shoulder, though I know that both of our attention is firmly on the Don. "Let's get you home -" "One moment," Bianci says, holding up a single finger as we turn to the door. "I have one offer which we have not considered."

Kent looks at me, all concern, and I sigh before giving a hesitant shrug, suggesting that I guess I can make it just one more moment. I see a muscle flick in Kent's jaw as he hides his smirk before turning back to his family. "All right," Kent says, all business.

"One final job, Kent." Bianci says, finally saying the thing he's been waiting to offer all evening. "And then, once complete, I will relieve you of your debt to our family. Though you, of course, will always be welcome as our son." Kent's posture changes now as the power passes to him. He slips his hands smoothly into his pockets as he holds Bianci's gaze.

"How long is the job?" he asks, his voice clipped.

"Eight months," Bianci replies.

"Make it four," Kent replies and Bianci spreads his hands out, tacitly agreeing. Inwardly I smile, because I know Kent changed the timeline for me. He wants it done before the baby is born.

"And the job?" Kent asks, pressing now.

"Within your wheelhouse," Bianci replies, cagey. "Though not without its challenges."

"All right," Kent says, nodding a little now. "But I want one thing."

Surprised at this counter, Bianci raises his eyebrows, inviting Kent to ask.

"Gio," Kent says, nodding to his nephew, who raises his brows. Alessi goes rigid in his chair. "For the timeline of the job. I want him on my crew."

"Why?" Alessi asks, genuinely baffled.

"Daniel trusts him," Kent says, looking over at Gio now, pretending to look the young man up and down as if he himself has some doubts. "Plus, I'll want a direct line to you at all times. This is the offer I'll accept. One job, four months, and Gio comes with me." My eyebrows raise as I realize that it's not that Kent wants Gio's help, or that he's trying to help Gio.

Instead, it's that...Gio's kind of a hostage, isn't he? If Bianci pulls anything...we've got his heir.

Excitement builds in me and I fight a smile as I realize the cleverness of Kent's final move, which he has perhaps been waiting to make all night.

Bianci takes a moment, staring between us, his fingers tight around his drink.

Kent stares right back at him, unmoving, for a long tense moment.

Finally, Bianci speaks.

"Done," he snaps, giving a single nod and I clench my teeth to keep from breaking out into a smile. "When do we iron out the details?"

Kent glances at me, looking me up and down. "We can come back in the -"

"Oh, that's all right," I say, smoothly interrupting and reaching out to put a sweet hand on his forearm. "Why don't you stay now, Kent? Get everything figured out."

I turn slowly, smiling at Gio. "My new cousin can help me downstairs, can't he? Help me find Daniel? I'm sure my husband can take good care of me."

Slowly, Gio gets to his feet.

Kent's arm tenses under my fingers and I turn my gaze back to him, looking up into his face. A smile finally breaks onto my face as I see him smiling back at me. "That's a good plan, Fay," he murmurs, leaning forward and pressing a quick, fatherly kiss to my forehead. I almost laugh at the ridiculousness of it, knowing that it's the mere shadow of the kiss he's going to give me later, when he's going to be acting as anything but a father to me. But, well, I tuck that all away now as Gio comes to my side. "Come, Fay," Gio says, his face all solicitousness. "Let's get you to Daniel."

"Thank you," I say, but I ignore his offered arm and move to Bianci instead, slipping my hands into the Don's and offering him two kisses on his cheeks.

"Thank you, nonno," I murmur, giving him a real smile. "This is a gift. I'm so pleased we can do business together."

"I am as well, little donna," he murmurs, smirking at me. "You are a clever girl."

I shrug and murmur that I'm no such thing, moving to Alessi to give him his own set of kisses before moving back to Gio and taking his arm.

"See you downstairs, Kent!" I call over my shoulder as Gio and I move towards the door. "Try not to stay too late."

And then, with a final wave, I leave the bosses to their business and step out the door.

When the door snaps shut behind us, Gio's face breaks into a wide grin and he wraps an arm around my shoulder, hurrying me down the hall and away from the door. When we get halfway down the stairs, he bursts into laughter and shakes his head at me, thrilled. I can't help laughing along with him his joy is infectious.

"That was brilliant, Fay," Gio says, shaking his head at me as we together hurry downstairs. His face falls suddenly as he hesitates, "I mean, unless you are actually sick? Are you - are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Gio," I say, grinning and patting him on the shoulder. He smiles again and we restart our quick journey down the stairs.

"Seriously, though," he gushes, grinning, "I've never seen someone turn the tables on nonno like that - he and dad were playing their usual game, and you just cut through it like - uh, what is the phrase? Like a hot knife with the butter?"

I laugh, shaking my head a little and flicking my hand to dismiss it. "You're overstating it, Gio," I murmur. "It wasn't impressive - any pregnant person could have made the same claim."

"Yes," Gio says, nodding as we reach the empty great room on the first floor and leading me across it, heading I think for the kitchens. "But that is what is so clever - nonno, he never negotiates with women for a reason - because you can pull cards like this. If you were a man, nonno could have called you rude for wanting to leave early. But a pregnant woman?" He laughs with delight.

"And!" Gio continues as we pass through the mostly empty kitchen, "the fact that you knew it, and played your role with such confidence?" He pats me on the back as we head for the door to the back patio where he instinctually knows the rest of the party must be gathered. "It was very good, Fay. Kent and papa - they were impressed too."

"And nonno?" I ask, curious as we walk out onto the back patio to a great cheer from the remining party guests - about twenty of what looks like the closest family, I'm guessing.

"Don't worry about nonno," Gio says, shaking his head. "He didn't like it, but you didn't force him to offer anything he wouldn't have given in the end."

I smile at Gio, pleased and considering that I'm glad we're going to have him on our side now, genuinely hoping that we can help him get out too, if this isn't the life he wants.

Gio smiles back at me, I think likewise pleased to be on our team.

"Well," Daniel says, coming over to us and handing Gio a drink before slipping an arm around my shoulders. When he moves to my side, I see that Janeen and Jerome have come over with him. "How did it go?"

"It went pretty good," I say with a little shrug, grinning up at my husband. "And the best part is that we have a new cousin to take home with us for four months!"

I wave a hand at Gio, grinning, my eyes going directly to Janeen.

"What!" Daniel exclaims, his face bursting with joy as he laughs and throws his arms around Gio. "Really!? You're coming with us?"

"I am!" Gio says. "Your dad asked for me, and so I will come!"

"Oh, good job, Fay," Janeen murmurs, her little cat's grin again finding her lips. "Christmas has come early for me this year."

"Disaster," Jerome sighs, covering his face with his hand as he slumps against Janeen's shoulder. "Is this the end of us, my love? Over as soon as it began?"

"We'll always have that one night, my love," she murmurs, dramatically cupping his cheek in her palm, "when you kicked me in your sleep, and I almost stabbed you for it."

"Memories," he says, nodding to her and struggling to keep a straight face. "That will last a lifetime."

"What on earth are you two talking about?" Gio asks, looking between Janeen and Jerome in complete confusion.

We all burst out laughing at this, and Gio smiles, wanting to join in but still not getting it.

"We'll tell you when we get home," Daniel says with a sigh, his arm warm around his cousin's shoulders.

And I nod, agreeing to it because...

Well, if Gio's going to be living with us for four months?

I'm certainly not going to be sneaking out the window every night. So, we'll have to let him in on our little set of secrets - and then, truly, we'll know whose side he's on.