Mafia Betrayal

Chapter Forty Three

Charlotte

Everyone was still scattered around the living room talking and laughing despite it being nearly midnight. Layla laid passed out on Luca's chest after opening a few of her presents, clearly exhausted from the excitement of the evening. One gift we let her open was a pair of special Christmas pajamas that matched mine. Luca even got his own pair, too, and miraculously, was being a good sport about all of this.

I felt exhausted, too, but there was still a lot to do. We had to get all of her Christmas presents from Santa out and clean things up down here, and I had to give Luca my Christmas present to him. It was tough to keep the secret all afternoon, but somehow I managed and once everything else was done, I could give it to him. I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he opened it, and a smile already tugged at my lips just imagining it.

Having Antonio here actually turned out to be better than I expected. He kept to himself mostly, and it seemed like he was really trying to turn over a new leaf. I wanted to believe he was, but I knew Luca still wasn't convinced. He was tough on Antonio the entire night, his face fixed into a permanent glare whenever Antonio was within five feet of me or Layla. Personally, I thought he was being a little dramatic, but I had to admit he had more experience with Antonio than I did.

Something about this time of year was making me sentimental, and I was really missing Josh. I knew my mom was too, but had tried to put on a brave face for all of us. Layla, still not understanding that he had died, asked about him a few times. We were all feeling his absence.

Josh was always the kind of person who took care of other people. I can remember countless times where he would load me up in the car on Thanksgiving with coolers full of food and we'd take them around and give them out to people on the street. More than once I remember him bringing a someone home that was going through a tough time and let them sleep in our guest room or even just use the shower. He had the biggest heart of anyone I'd ever known and somehow taking care of Antonio this Christmas made me feel closer to Josh than I had in months. Like I was doing something that would actually make him proud.

"I think this one has had about all the Christmas excitement she can stand tonight." I smiled, leaning down and picking Layla up off of Luca's chest. "I better put her to bed."

"I can take her, babe." Luca offered, standing up with arms stretched above his head and a great big yawn on his face. Yeah, he was ready for bed, too.

"That's okay. Why don't you help Antonio find a guest room to stay in tonight?" I said, grabbing Layla's new elephant stuffed animal off of the counter. Almost unconsciously, she tucked it under her little arm and nestled into my chest.

Antonio and Luca shared an uneasy glance that made me a little suspicious.

"Actually, I better be on my way. My flight is early in the morning and I have a hotel room right by the airport." Antonio said, walking towards me and kissing my cheek.

"We can give you a ride there on our way home, dad." Gabe suggested, wrapping an arm around Lily. They were the only ones who didn't live somewhere on the estate with us.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay until tomorrow?" I frowned, wondering what had changed so suddenly. Luca didn't share my concern, a wave of relief washing over him.

"Thank you for having me, sweetheart, but it's time for me to be going." He smiled and then turned to my mother. "Elena, as always, it was great to see you."

She cringed slightly at his touch, but then hugged him back. He said the rest of his goodbyes and was gone quickly, leaving me feeling a little dejected. We had gotten to talk briefly, but I hadn't been able to get any answers from him. I guess that conversation would have to come at a later time.