Chapter Forty

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Luca

It had been a hard sell to get Layla out of the house today. First, she was insistent on seeing her mother no matter how many times I explained she was sick, and then she begged to help her grandmas cook. She cried and screamed until Angelo finally agreed to come with us. I wasn't proud of it, but it took some serious bribery to get her to leave, and that was how Angelo and I ended up in a build-a-bear workshop on Christmas Eve with five hundred other parents and their screaming children.

"I thought people only did this kind of shit in the movies." I groaned quietly, as we watched Layla pick out a heart to put inside of her bear. This entire thing was a scam, and if I hadn't already promised my daughter she could do it, I'd never spend money on it.

"Maybe they're on to something here." Angelo chuckled. "We could hide some serious shit in those things. No one would be the wiser. Who is going to think a child carrying a stuffed elephant is smuggling shit?"

I smacked his shoulder, staring at him dumbfound. "Would you shut up? You can't say that kind of shit in a children's store. We're not using my daughter's stuffed animal to smuggle things!"

"I didn't specify Layla's elephant." Angelo joked, holding his hands in the air. "I'm just saying..."

"Yeah, well, don't." I shook my head. "You're gonna get us arrested."

"Don't act like you don't see the potential here." Angelo chided, egging me on.

Angelo and I followed her around the store for the better part of an hour, watching as she finished up her elephant. I told her she could choose one outfit for the elephant, but she wanted five, so we compromised and I bought her three and Angelo bought her two. Layla was a master negotiator and both of us were powerless against her. I'd never mention it to Char, but that skill would serve her well in the Mafia.

After the store, we took her to the park for a while. I sat on a park bench nearby, watching as Angelo pushed her high on the swing as she clutched the elephant. Her little giggle brought me to my knees, and the smile that matched her mother's was even better. I was living in an absolute dream, and I hoped to God I'd never have to be without them again.

I could feel the smile spreading on my face as she dissolved into laughter while Angelo tickled her on the swing. He was just as mesmerized by her as I was. I never even imagined having a daughter. The few times I thought about having a child, it was always a son. A tiny little human that looked exactly like me that would rough house and watch sports and wreak havoc on everything in his path, raising absolute hell and driving his mother insane. And someday, I'd teach him everything I knew, handing the organization off to him.

I sure never imagined having a beautiful little girl who was spunky and sassy and wild, and just like her mother in every imaginable way. She challenged me in ways I never even thought possible and made me want to be better every single day. It was like she'd become my purpose for living—her and her mother. I couldn't imagine what my life was like before I knew about Layla, even though it was only a few months ago.

"Daddy, can we go see momma now?" Layla stuck her bottom lip out as she ran towards me, Angelo close at her heals.

I picked her up and set her on my lap. "Sure, angel. But mommy isn't feeling well so you have to be quiet when we get home. If she's resting, we are going to play outside, okay?"

She nodded happily and took off for the car.

"Damn, she's got a lot of energy." Angelo smirked, wiping sweat off of his forehead. "How's it going with Charlotte, anyway? Have you thought anymore about seeing someone?"

I snorted, arching my eyebrow. "Why do I need a therapist if I've got you?" I was only halfway kidding. Angelo always had an ability to talk me off the cliff, better than anyone else ever could. He was like the right side of my brain—I couldn't make the left function without him.

"Funny." He rolled his eyes.

"But seriously, things are going good. Charlotte and I have talked a lot, and I think we're in a good place. I'm not drinking as much either." I told him as we walked to the car. Alcohol only exacerbated my anger issues and I couldn't stand the thought of jeopardizing what I had going with Charlotte and Layla right now. "If she wants me to talk to someone professionally, I will. I'll do whatever it takes."

"Good. Don't screw this up." He warned.

"Yes, sir." I fake saluted him, smirking smugly. I gave him a hard time, but he was right. We climbed in to the car and started towards home.

We were only five minutes away when blue and red lights began flashing in my rearview mirror.

"Damn it." I rubbed my forehead after pulling to the side of the road. "I wasn't speeding, was I?"

Angelo shrugged. "Just relax."

"This is bullshit." I groaned, forgetting about the little ears sitting in my back seat.

"What's bullshit, daddy?" It made me cringe hearing those words in the mouth of my little princess.

Angelo burst out laughing, and I shot him a harsh glare. "That's a grown-up word, sweetie. Don't repeat it." Especially around your mother.

"What was that you said the other day about watching our mouths around her?" If Layla wasn't in the back seat and we weren't being pulled over, I would have wiped that smug smirk right off of his face.

"Shut up." I growled, rolling my window down.

"Good afternoon, sir." The cop said, suddenly standing with his arms crossed at my window. "License and registration, please."

"Can I ask why I'm being pulled over?" I pressed, handing him my paperwork. He looked from my license and back to me several times. By the way he stiffened, I could tell he knew who I was. He glanced around the car nervously, as if he expected someone to jump out and start shooting. Was this guy fucking serious?

"Do you know what the speed limit here is, Mr. Catalano?" He narrowed his eyes, trying to appear intimidating. All it really did was make him look silly.

I scoffed, silently. Of course, I knew what the speed limit was. It didn't mean I was going to follow it. "I don't think I do, officer."

"It's 55. You were going 15 over. I'm going to have to give you a citation."

"Sir, we're just coming home from the park with my daughter. Is that really necessary?" I gritted my teeth, trying to be as polite as I could. In reality, I wanted to knock this guy's teeth in.

"I need to run your paperwork. I'll be back." He turned quickly and headed towards his car. I had fleeting thoughts of taking off—I could easily outrun his cruiser in my car—but I was a father now, and that stupid shit had to stop, especially with Layla in the car. I couldn't do anything to put her in danger or Charlotte would murder me herself.

"What is that guy's problem?" Angelo seethed, keeping an eye on the car as the officer spoke typed at his computer. "I don't like the way he was sizing you up. He's looking for a bigger bust than a traffic ticket."

"And he's not going to get one. It's fine. He's doing his job. Just sit there and keep your mouth shut and we can be on our way." Now I was the one to calm him down.

"Whats going on, daddy?" Layla frowned, tears forming in her eyes.

I turned around and put my hand on her knee. "Nothing, angel. I was driving too fast. It's okay."

"You're not supposed to drive fast. Mommy says it's dangerous." She scolded, a serious expression on her face.

I bit my lip, trying to stifle my laughter.

"She's right, it is dangerous." Angelo chuckled. He was enjoying this way too much.

"Let's not tell your mom about this, okay?" I grimaced.

Layla frowned, widening her eyes. "You want me to lie to momma?"

"It's not lying sweetie, we're just not telling her everything." I tried to justify it, but Angelo was having none of it.

"Real smooth, Luca. That's a lesson you want to teach your daughter." He let out a sharp laugh and shook his head.

"Okay," the officer said, returning to my window. "Your paperwork checked out." He almost sounded disappointed. "Here is your citation. Try to keep your speed down, especially with little ones in the car. Have a nice day."

"Yes, sir." I took it from him begrudgingly and rolled my window up, heading back on our way. I could make this shit go away, but it still infuriated me. Even before Grant, I hated cops, but he put an even worse taste in my mouth about them.

As soon as we got home, Angelo left to go check on a few things before coming over for Christmas Eve dinner. I hoped Charlotte would be sleeping, but the second walked in, I heard her voice in the kitchen talking with our mothers.

"Momma!" Layla shrieked, tearing down the hall and disappearing into the kitchen before I could catch up.

"Oh!" Charlotte gasped as Layla threw herself onto her legs. "Hi baby! How was your day with daddy?"

"I made an elephant!" She smiled, thrusting the elephant in Charlotte's face. At least the police encounter wasn't the first thing she thought of.

"Wow!" Excitement filled Charlotte's face. "That is so cool!"

"Come show grandma, Layla!" Elena smiled, taking her hand and leading her into the living room with my mom close behind her. I loved seeing the three of them together, but I loved stealing a moment alone with Charlotte even more.

"You look better." I smiled, kissing her cheek softly. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better!" She smiled, wrapping her arms around my waist. "Thanks for taking her out."

"No problem. We had a good time. Angelo came with us." I grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge. "I'm glad you could get some rest."

"I actually didn't rest much. Your mom brought me some tea, and we got to talk, and then I had a few errands to run." She turned, trying not to look me in the eye. It was a nervous habit she always did when she was trying to keep something from me.

I grabbed her wrist loosely, stopping her from walking away. "What errands?" I arched an eyebrow.

She bit her lip, trying to stifle a smile. "Just errands. Like, you know... the post office." Okay, now I knew something was up. She was looking for some kind of excuse. Whatever she was hiding wasn't serious, but it still drove me crazy not knowing.

"You went to the post office?" I smirked, pressing her for more information. I couldn't stand not knowing what was on her mind. "What did you need to do at the post office?"

"Send some stuff, packages." She shrugged.

"Are you lying to me right now?" I lifted her chin up, tilting her toward me.

She shook her head back and forth, but her smile and the playful look in her eyes told a different story.

"You know I'll find out eventually, tesoro." I chuckled, swatting at her ass. "You want a repeat of last night?"

Catching me completely off guard, Charlotte pressed her hips into me, and my dick hardened immediately. "I'm counting on it... sir."

All the blood drained out of my face, and I was speechless. Holy shit, did it turn me on when she spoke to me like that. It was rare I was at a loss for words, but I was too revved up to form a sentence. The daring grin on her lips made me want to haul her over my shoulder to the bedroom.

A few seconds later, we were interrupted by tiny little feet coming around the corner. "Momma, I'm hungry!" I had apparently forgotten to feed her during our adventure.

"Well, I think dinner is almost ready. We'll eat soon." Charlotte pulled away from me, transforming from naughty little vixon into sweet and attentive mother. Both sides of her were fucking hot, and I had to turn away to compose myself.

"But I'm hungry now!' Layla whined, throwing her head back and stomping her foot.

"If you have a snack now, you won't be hungry for dinner." Charlotte tried to reason, but Layla didn't look convinced.

She glared at Charlotte, balling her hands up into fists. "That's bullshit!" She said, clear as day.

My heart nearly jumped into my throat.

"Layla!" Charlotte shrieked, completely horrified.

I put my hand on Charlotte's back in a feeble attempt to calm her down. "This is my fault." I blurted out before she could get too upset with Layla.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes at me menacingly. "I figured."

"Layla, we talked about this. I made a mistake and shouldn't have said that. It's a grown-up word and you are not allowed to say it." I bent down, so we were eye to eye. "Do you understand?"

"If it's a bad word, why does daddy get to say it?" She crossed her arms over her chest, glancing up at Charlotte.

I glanced at Charlotte for some kind of direction. She certainly had me there. I was beginning to feel like having a smart little girl was vastly overrated.

"That's a good point, sweetie. Daddy isn't allowed to say it either." Charlotte said pointedly. "If anybody says it again, they're going to be in big trouble. You or daddy."

Layla bowed her head sheepishly and nodded. She was a definitely a spitfire, but she hated to disappoint anyone.

I bit my lip, trying to stifle my laughter. I was being scolded like our three-year-old.

"Come on, let's go get you changed. Everyone is going to be here soon." Charlotte reached for Layla's hand and started out of the room.

"So we'll talk about this later?" I smirked, trying to ease her mood.

Charlotte shot me daggers with her eyes. "You can count on it."

I laughed, shaking my head as I watched them walk out. Sooner or later, I'd get the hang of this dad thing. Hopefully, it'd be sooner, or Charlotte was going to murder me.



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