The last ever chapter 😢 I'm so sad, I love this book so much but I'm also glad it's finished!

I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you so much for reading this book ❤️ Writing is the one thing that helps me get through life, and this little family of readers I have is biggest reason for continuing writing!

For the last time, I hope you enjoy and don't forget to vote and comment ✨

(Also, this is one year on from the last bonus chapter)

1 Year Later

"Why do I have to go with you?"

"Because you're 10 years old and you can't stay home alone over Christmas and because I said so. Now stop acting like a little brat and get your butt out of my car."

When I turned to give Tyler a sweet smile while he sat in the passenger seat, all he did was glare at me.

I wish he knew how much he looked like his father when he did that. Even at 10 years old he was identical to Carson.

"Tyler, mama said go." When I heard Poppy whisper from the back seat, I glanced in her direction while Tyler rolled his eyes at his 5 year old sister.

He really had more attitude than the rest of my children put together.

Without another word he picked up his school bag while I got out of the car so that I could take Poppy and Nessa into pre-school while Dalton and Tyler went to elementary school.

Tyler was in the 5th grade since he was 10 years old, and Dalton was in the 3rd grade since he was 8 years old. Poppy was still only 5 years old and Nessa was the youngest at 4 years old. She was also the most well behaved of my children and at times definitely my favourite.

Once I got Poppy and Nessa out of their car seats, I held their hands as Dalton and Tyler walked ahead of us.

"Mama?" Glancing down at Poppy as we walked, I gave her a smile encouraging her to speak. "Can I come to Los Ambelees?"

I couldn't help but laugh at her mispronunciation, nodding my head as we reached the doors to the elementary school.

Since it was Christmas next week, we decided to take the children to Los Angeles for Christmas and then to Miami for New Years since that's where Fox, Avi and Grey were going.

This time of year was always hard since Carson's mother and sister passed away on the December 23rd, 13 years ago. He much preferred for us to be alone for those few days and then we would spend New Years with his friends and my sister.

"Baby it's Los Angeles and of course you can. You didn't think I would leave you at home, did you?" At this she only shrugged as she let go of my hands so I could give Tyler and Dalton a goodbye hug.

"Be good, make sure you listen in class and pay attention." At this Dalton only gave me a mischievous grin as he stepped out of my hug, holding his school bag in his hand. Shaking my head at him, I turned to look at Tyler who was still annoyed that I was making him come to LA with us.

I don't understand what he expected, he was only 10 years old. But I guess he was just in a bad mood that day because he usually loved Christmas when we spent it at home.

"Give me a hug." When I reached out for him, he shook his head taking a step away from me. "Don't be sad with me Ty, you're my little baby."

"I'm not a baby mom." Raising an eyebrow at him, I let out a laugh before I forced him into a hug causing him to stiffen under my touch. "You'll always be my baby."

"Mom stop." The entire time I squeezed him in my arms, the other children giggled next to me while he tried to get out of the embrace. Finally once I let him go, I pressed a kiss to his cheek causing his lips to twitch up into a smile.

"Be a good boy, listen in class and do your work. Oh, and be nice to Mary Lou, I don't need her mother calling me again while I'm trying to...-"

Get it on with your father on my desk?

"You know what never mind."

Yes even after four years, Mary Lou is still in our lives and a regular topic at the dinner table.

"We broke up yesterday mama."

"You break up every week, just be nice to her. Your father and I didn't raise you to be mean to girls." Giving him a pointed look, I took a step away from him turning to look at both of my sons. "I'll see you right here at 1pm, okay?"

When I reminded them that they finished school early today for the winter vacation, they both smiled before they headed inside.

Once the two of them left, I took Poppy and Nessa to the preschool, where I ended up having to speak to their teachers for a few minutes about their end of semester progress, before I headed back to my car. It didn't take long for me to drive from the school to the mafia mansion, of course I stopped to pick up a coffee on the way - just like old times.

Once I finally parked my car on the drive way next to one of my husband's precious cars that would always be at the top of the list, I grabbed my purse and got out of the car.

Now that I had my own car which was a Range Rover Sport, I guess I did understand why he was so protective over his cars. I was very strict on my 'no eating in the car' rule, only because I had the four messiest children on Earth. I would die if they ever made a mess on the cream leather seats.

"Mrs Boss." When I opened the front door, I couldn't help but roll my eyes when Dallas flashed me a smirk as he came down the hallway.

"How many times have I told you to stop calling me that? It makes me feel old." When I pouted my lips he let out a laugh while I took a sip of my coffee. "You're only 34 years old Dani, you're not old."

"No, but I feel it. Do you know how tired I am, right now? At least one of my children wakes up every night, but recently all of them do."

Hence the large coffee in my hand.

"Even Tyler? Isn't he 10 years old now?" Nodding my head in response to Dallas's question, I started walking over to the stairs with him following behind me. "Nessa tends to wake up during the night, sometimes Poppy does too. If one of them cries then the other one cries and then Dalton and Tyler wake up in their room. In the end they all end up in our bed and then I have a grumpy husband too."

"Is he ever not grumpy? I took some paper work up to him earlier and he bit my head off for opening the door too loudly. Then I tried to explain that I opened it like a normal freaking human and he threatened to shoot me for giving him back chat. Now I have to go and give him this."

Just when I let out a laugh at Dallas's story while he held a folder up to show me, someone spoke from behind us catching our attention.

"I don't pay you to stand around and gossip."

At the sound of Carson's voice, the two of us turned to see him half way down the stairs giving us both a deadly glare. While I just smiled up at him taking another sip of my coffee, Dallas rolled his eyes instead, heading up the steps towards Carson.

That's how you know they're close, because if anyone else did that they would be dead three seconds later.

"Boss." As he spoke, Dallas held the folder out to Carson which he just snatched from him. "Get back to work."

"Bitch I've been working all damn morning."

My eyes widened when Dallas snapped at Carson, somehow having the balls to say that to his boss who just glared back at him, without a word.

"You're not even going to respond? You're no fun." Letting out a huff, Dallas turned around to leave meaning he missed the fleeting smile that appeared on Carson's lips. Once Dallas went off to do his work, I made my way up the stairs until I was in front of Carson.

"Hey babe." Flashing him a smile, I leaned in to press a kiss to his cheek while he just narrowed his eyes at me. "You're late."

"I know, sorry. I had to speak to Nessa and Poppy's teachers about their progress and then I stopped to get a coffee." Giving him another smile, I held the coffee cup up for emphasis catching his attention. For a second he raised an eyebrow at the cup before nodding, taking a step closer to me on the step we were on so that he could whisper into my ear.

"Next time get your pretty little ass here on time, we have a meeting to attend." As he spoke I felt his hand grip that specified area causing a gasp to escape my lips, just as he took the coffee cup from my hand with ease.

"Let's go mama." I could hear the amusement in his voice as he continued down the stairs, taking a sip of my coffee while I just stood there in shock.

Did this bitch just...

Letting out a huff, I followed behind him as he walked towards the main meeting room on the ground floor, opening the door for me. As I walked towards him, I narrowed my eyes at him while he smirked, taking another sip of my coffee.

"Bitch." When I muttered the word, he rose an eyebrow at me as I snatched the cup back bringing it to my lips as I walked into the room, passing by him.

I heard him chuckle as he closed the door while my eyes scanned the room where Grey was sitting at the table across from three men I didn't recognise.

Following Carson's lead, I sat down next to him, next to Grey, taking the chance to take out some of my things.

"Why are you unpacking your entire freaking bag?" When I heard Grey's words, I turned to look at him as I took out my pencil case. "I might need to write something down so I need a pen and some paper but I might also need my laptop so I got that out too and if I get thirsty then-"

"Yeah alright, stop talking." When he quickly cut me off, Carson laughed next to us while I just chose to finish unpacking my things quietly. Usually I would have come back with some kind of bitchy retort, but technically they were my bosses and we were in a meeting so I couldn't do that unless I wanted to get an hour long lecture from Carson later.

I'm speaking from experience by the way.

Once I was done unpacking, I turned my attention to the men across from us just as Carson threw an arm around my shoulders, relaxing back in his chair. Even though he did that, he was still in complete mafia business mode, speaking in a deadly tone to the unfamiliar men.

"Tell me what you want then, I don't have all day."

Once he said that reaching out to take a sip of my coffee much to my dismay, they suddenly launched into a very elaborate business proposal to work with Carson selling weapons in areas of Asia and in Australia. The entire time I sat there taking notes in the usual way that I did - by making a pros and cons list.

In this case the cons outweighed the pros by a hell of a lot. Actually the only pro was that Carson would get one over on an enemy of his, even though it would cost him a lot of money, time and product. So that was the reason he wanted to take the deal, but as his accountant I was hell bent on convincing him that this was a very bad idea.

Or I guess I was trying to convince him.

"Carson you're not listening to me. This is going to cost you millions!"

"And I'm the freaking boss, what I say goes."

As we walked up the stairs to the first floor where the offices were, I was aware of Grey following behind us after he showed our guests out the front door.

"You always say that! Why the hell did you hire me then? Carson this little rivalry you have going on with this crime family in London isn't worth losing so much money over."

Of course he didn't listen to me, once he was set on a decision he never did listen to me.

"Daniela if I wanted your opinion I would have asked for it. I gave you an order, sign that deal and send them the damn money." As we reached my office door he glanced back at me, sending me a glare which I very easily returned.

I had absolutely no intention of going into my office, unlike Grey who slipped inside his while Carson and I stood there glaring at one another in the hallway.

The only reason Grey left was because he stupidly agreed with Carson but didn't want to get involved in our fight that had been going on for quite a while now after the meeting ended.

"Why did you ask me to come to that meeting then if you're just going to ignore my advice?"

"I didn't know what they were going to say. Now, don't make me repeat myself again - go in there and do your goddamn job before I really lose my temper."

It's funny really because anyone else would have obediently done what they were told to, but I was absolutely sick of this. It wasn't the first time that they'd completely ignored my advice, and I'm sure it wouldn't be the last.

"I'm not giving away 36 million dollars when I know we're just going to lose it over some petty rivalry. If you want to lose that much money, do it your damn self."

When I openly defied him, he held my stare for a moment his eyes blazing with anger, like I should have expected. But what I didn't expect was for him to shake his head and turn away from me, heading down the hallway to his office.

Of course I just followed behind him, choosing to continue our little discussion now rather than later.

"You're being stupid Carson. You're supposed to make decisions for the good of the mafia, not for your own personal-"

"It is for the good of the mafia - my mafia. Don't ever question my intentions Daniela." He barely glanced in my direction as he entered his office, heading over to the desk while I shut the door behind myself. "Okay there's no need to get all possessive, I'm not trying to take the mafia from you, idiot. I'm just saying you're making a huge mistake, you shouldn't do this and you should listen to me for once."

He still didn't respond to me, instead choosing to face away from me as he took off his suit jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves to his elbows revealing his tattooed hands and arms. Letting out a breath, I clutched the leather handles of my purse in my hand as I closed the gap between us slightly, stepping further into the room.

"Revenge isn't worth losing money over, and definitely not this much money. The only ones who benefit financially are those three idiots who came up with this plan. You never freaking listen to me Carson. I'm your accountant, it's my job to give you my best advice and to tell you what to do when it comes to these kinds of deals."

Finally he seemed to snap when he suddenly spun around to face me, stepping closer to me with a furious glare on his face.

"Yeah? Well when the mafia belongs to your son then you can tell him what to do since he'll probably listen to you. Until then, you do what your boss tells you to do like you learned at your initiation - you don't question those above you in rank. Now take your dress off."

For the next few moments a silence fell around us while we still continued to glare at each other, both of us refusing to be the first one to back down. That was until I finally put my purse down on the floor and took a few steps towards him. The entire time I held his stare until I stopped directly in front of him, I was still glaring at him.

Turning around I allowed him to unzip my dress before I turned back to face him, letting it fall to the floor in front of him.

"Lock the door."

I could feel his eyes on me the entire time as I went over to lock the door as per his request, before he let me to his desk where he moved a few things to the side.

"Don't ever defy an order again, do you understand me? If I tell you to do something, you freaking do it and you do it with a smile on your face. I'm your damn boss, you do as you're told."

Of course we both knew it wouldn't be the last time I defied him or argued with him, but in that moment I just nodded my head so that he would get on with what was about to happen.

"Words Daniela."

"Yes boss."

As soon as I gave him the answer he was looking for, he pulled me up against him crashing his lips to mine.

<<<<<<< >>>>>>> <<<<<<<

Somehow when we finished he still looked as perfect as he did when he first walked into the room.

Not even a hair on his head was out of place.

"Get out."

Barely glancing in my direction, he went around to his desk, taking a seat while I continued to sit there on his couch like a hot mess. Letting out an exaggerated groan just to annoy him, I used his desk to stand up thanks to the heels on my feet that made the task much harder. Once I was up, I put my clothes on while he continued working on his laptop.

The entire time I fixed myself up again, straightening my clothes, fluffing my hair and touching up my make up he didn't say a word, until I stepped towards his desk.

"I'm picking the kids up at 1pm, what time are we going to the airport?"

"5pm." When he still didn't glance in my direction, I let out a sigh going around to his side of the desk. "You don't need to be mad at me anymore Carson. I'm sorry."

When I pouted my lips, he lifted his gaze away from the papers he was reading to look at me. For a moment he held my stare until his lips finally twitched into a small smile.

"Come here." Turning his chair to face me, he reached out placing his hands on my waist as he pulled me closer to him an onto his lap.

"You up for another round?" When he mumbled the question against my lips, I begrudgingly pulled away from him as I shook my head. "I can't, I have work to do and I have to pick the kids up early today. That is, unless you want to pick them up for me? Then we have all the time in the world."

As I spoke my question in a sultry tone, I trailed my hand down his chest stopping just above his belt as I pressed a seductive kiss to his jaw.

"Hell no."

It was worth a try.

Letting out a huff, I carefully stood up from his lap, sending him a glare while he smirked at me while I straightened out my dress. "You're such a jerk."

"Oh don't be mad at me, mama." I could hear the amusement in his tone when I turned to face him noticing how his eyes were firmly focussed on my behind as he sat in his chair. "Have I ever told you that you have the best ass baby?"

I could hear the lust in his voice as he reached out to run his hand over my ass, making me instantly wish I had more time to go another round with him. But unfortunately after that meeting this morning and our little escapade in his office, I was running out of time to get my work done.

So I had to move his hand away from my ass I stepped away, heading around his desk and over to the door with my purse in my hand. The entire time I walked away he leaned back in his chair watching me with a smirk.

Or more accurately watching my ass.

"I'll see you later babe." When I muttered the words, he only nodded in response as I unlocked the door stepping out before I closed it.

"Next time you do it in the office, can you at least make sure I have my documents first." At the sound of someone's voice, I suddenly jumped, spinning around to see Fox watching me in amusement.

Of course it would be him. Of all the freaking people in the history of time, it had to be him.

"I came to get them from Carson earlier, but I could hear some uncomfortable and yet mildly juicy sounds so I left."

Ignoring the sly grin playing on his lips and his uncomfortably accurate description, I shook my head at him as I walked down the hallway to my office while he opened the door to Carson's office again.

"Oh and Dani?" At the sound of his voice, I turned around to face him although in hindsight I really wish I hadn't. "It sounded like you had a lot of fun, a lot."

Of course Carson burst out laughing in his office while I just stood there blushing like a tomato from the embarrassment. "Oh screw you Fox."

My response caused him to chuckle as he nodded, stepping into Carson's office. "By the way, your lipstick is still smudged."

I hate him.

<<<<<<< >>>>>>> <<<<<<<

"Mama is Uncle Kai going to be in Miami for New Years?"

The kids absolutely loved their uncle, even if he barely ever showed his face around us after mama and Poppy were killed.

In my opinion he didn't deserve their love after he left Carson alone for all these years, but I would never stop him from seeing the children when he did come over. It wasn't fair to my children and it would also prevent Carson and Kai ever making up in the future.

So far our children might prove to be the thing that bring them back together one day.

"I'm not sure Ty." When I glanced over at him, he let out a sigh leaning his head against the car window.

We were currently half an hour into our drive from LAX to Carson's house on the beach in LA. Thankfully the plane ride went rather smoothly considering we had four children to take care of, but now the boys were both in bad moods since we had to wake them up to get them in the car while we carried Poppy and Nessa.

Thankfully we had a driver and a car waiting for us as soon as we landed.

"Mama does Uncle Kai not like us?" This time it was Dalton who spoke in a sad voice causing me to frown. "Of course he likes you, he loves you all very much."

"But we never see him."

"He doesn't like coming home Tyler. He gets sad when he remembers your grandmama and your auntie Poppy." This time it was Carson who spoke up, stroking his hand through Nessa's hair as she slept in his arms.

"Me?"

"No baby, auntie Poppy, not you." When I gave Poppy a smile, she nodded her head resting her head tiredly against my chest again. Unfortunately she woke up while we transported her from the bed on the plane to the car, so now I was doing my best to keep her calm until I got her back into bed at home.

"Daddy?" When Tyler broke the silence around us, both Carson and I looked over at our ten year old son, waiting for him to ask his question.

"What job do you do?"

This one again.

For the last ten years Carson and I have done absolutely everything in our power to stop any of children finding out about the mafia. When I say everything, I do literally mean everything. We explained the money by saying Carson was extremely rich and successful and for the security and the weapons we told them that Carson was an important person and we were worried he might get hurt - like their grandmama and auntie Poppy did.

But they just never believed him when he said he owned his own business, especially Tyler. He was always suspicious.

"I told you, I own a business."

"What kind of business?" This time when he asked the question, Carson looked away averting his gaze to window and the city we were driving through before he eventually sighed. "You're too young for all the details Tyler."

"No I'm not, I'm 10 years old now daddy."

"That might seem old to you, but to me you're still just a little baby." For a moment the two of them had this little staring contest, while Carson was sure he didn't want to tell Tyler yet, our son was sure he wanted to know.

"Daddy I know more than you think I do." When he muttered those words, clearly from the frustration of not getting the answers he wanted, both Carson and I frowned at him. "What do you mean?"

This time he shifted his gaze over to me when I spoke, before he shook his head. "Nothing."

"Tyler if you heard something, you need to tell us. You're too young, you don't understand what-"

"I do mama! Uncle Kai told me last time he came that it was daddy's work that stops him coming here."

For the next few moments a tense silence fell around us while we sat there in the car. I could instantly tell Carson was ready to blow and lose his temper, but the fact he had our sleeping daughter in his arms and our three other children in the back of the car with us meant he had to hold it back.

"Tyler, don't say another word please." When I spoke using my strict mother tone, he looked away from me while Dalton looked between the three of us in confusion. I guess since he was eight years old he understood enough, but he wasn't as inquisitive as Tyler was.

At least Poppy fell asleep during this little conversation, not that she would have understood any of it anyway.

Another ten minutes passed while we sat in the car and the entire time my husband kept his eyes on the moving scenery out the window until we eventually pulled up to the familiar gated house.

We hadn't brought our children here yet, only because it was the furthest of Carson's homes from New York and we kept having babies who would have made a six hour flight difficult. So we went to Miami most of the time if we wanted a vacation since we found being in our own home easier than being in a hotel with little kids.

We did try a few vacations for example in Hawaii and Barbados, but they didn't end well.

The last time I came here was actually just before Tyler was born when we decided to go on a baby moon. The idea was to have one last vacation together before we became parents, and it was definitely a memory I would always treasure.

Once the driver parked the car in the driveway, Carson and I had the impossible task of getting out of the car without waking our sleeping girls in our arms, all while directing Tyler and Dalton into a house they'd never seen before.

"Stay here. We'll be back in a second, okay?" As we walked inside, Carson instructed them to stay by the front door while we went upstairs to put the girls in a bed in the guest room to let them sleep.

Once they were tucked up in bed, Carson and I left the room when he quickly grabbed my hand before we went downstairs where the boys were still waiting by the front door.

"I don't know what to do Dani. That idiot is still sticking his nose even though he's cut ties from our family." I could easily sense the worry along with the anger in his voice as he glanced downstairs. "If Tyler knows or has any kind of ideas, we need to tell him and explain it to him. The last thing you need is for him to blurt out whatever he thinks at school to another kid or that Mary Lou girl."

"He tells her everything." When Carson muttered those words I nodded my head remembering how I once had a very angry phone call from Mary Lou's mother. Apparently Tyler heard some...inappropriate sounds coming from our bedroom during the night, so he told his ten year old girlfriend, or wife or whatever the hell she is. Then she went and told her mother that we were making babies in our bed.

Which is totally not factual since I have the implant again, but anyway, Mary Lou's mother was definitely not a happy bunny.

"How the hell am I supposed to tell him? I didn't even know about the mafia until I was 20 years old Dani."

"I know babe, but you have to think of a way. Make it sound like some family secret, tell him the story of your great grandfather and how the mafia-"

"Great great." When he cut me off, I gave him a confused frown.

"What?"

"It's a double great. He's my great great grandfather, not my great grandfather." For a moment I just held his stare giving him a frown before I eventually shook my head in irritation. "Fine, your great great grandfather. Just tell Tyler that it's a family history that he can't tell anyone, but you have to make him feel included. If you just don't ever mention it again, he'll forget how important it is to keep it a secret."

Letting out a sigh, Carson nodded his head, taking my hand as we started walking down the stairs. "We can do it together tomorrow."

"Thank you."

"For what?" When I turned to give him a confused look, he let out a breath squeezing my hand gently in his. "I know the mafia isn't something you want our kids to ever be involved in, deep down anyway. But you've never once complained or said anything to me about it - instead you support me through everything. I appreciate that."

He had a point, I hated the idea of my children ever being involved in a life of violence and crime - but any mother would feel the same way. It didn't mean I didn't want them to take over their father's legacy and to continue their family 'business' with Tyler as the boss and Dalton as the underboss if he wanted to be. It was in their blood, even if I didn't like it.

"I'm your wife Carson and if you and the silly mafia are a package deal, then I'll take you both, you know that."

Nodding his head, he cracked a smile leaning into press a kiss to my cheek just as we reached our sons. The only reason we asked them to stay by the door is because we didn't want them running around the house causing chaos while we tried to put the girls into bed without waking them up.

Now that they were safely tucked up in bed, we could show the boys around the house a little bit before we got them ready for bed.

That was our plan anyway, but we ended up showing them the entire house since they didn't seem tired from our flight in the slightest. I guess they weren't the ones who had to control four children in a flying tin can.

It took us another half an hour to finally get them to get into bed where Carson stayed to tell them a bed time story before he joined me in the bedroom.

This bedroom would always be my favourite room on earth. This was where Carson and I had our first time, where we 'celebrated' our engagement in bed for the next few days and our last ever vacation before we became parents.

It was probably the room that brought me the most peace too. With the way it was decorated and then the floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the ocean, there was something about this room that just calmed me down. It was blissful and tranquil, something I always felt whenever I came here.

I was busy looking out the dark ocean in the distance when I felt Carson step up behind me, placing his hands on my waist as he stood behind me. "You okay?"

"I am, I'm just...reminiscing."

"About what?" In the reflection on the glass I could see the smirk on his face causing me to roll my eyes knowing exactly what was going through his head.

"Not that. I was just thinking about all the good memories, like how we stayed here for a while after we were kidnapped and then when you proposed and that time before Tyler was born."

That time ten years ago when I was pregnant was the last time I was here, since then only Carson had been here since he sometimes came to Los Angeles for business.

"I seem to remember that every one of those times we came here, we did something in that bed. Something fun." When he murmured those words he brought his lips to my neck, kissing my sweet spot from where he was standing behind me.

"We already had fun this morning in your office." When I spoke in an irritated tone at the fact he was kissing my neck, he chuckled allowing me to feel the vibrations in his chest. "Mrs Agnello, don't tell me we can only do this once a day now."

His words caused me to smile as he tightened his grip on my waist pulling me firmly against him. "Do you know what you do to me, my queen?"

As he whispered those words in my ear he continued kissing my neck as I relaxed against his chest. "There's no children Dani, just me, you and that bed."

"I would baby you know I would, but I'm tired after that flight." When I rejected him again, he eventually let out a sigh stepping away from me. He never ever pressure me to do it if I wasn't up for it, something I truly loved about him.

"Okay, go to sleep my queen." After pressing a kiss to my cheek, he started walking towards the door causing me to frown as I turned to look at him. "Wait, where are you going?"

"Outside, I need a cigarette and drink."

It was rare for him to smoke, he actually hardly ever did it even though he carried a pack of cigarettes and a lighter everywhere he went. He only ever did it when he was stressed but he couldn't see another way of releasing that tension.

One of the times I could remember him doing it around me was when we were on our way to Portland and we stopped at that convenience store. The shopkeeper Lilly asked if we were a couple and Carson left the store to smoke a cigarette since the answer wasn't the one he wanted to hear.

I would never forget her name, she made me realise I could one day find a magical kind of love. And I did.

Another time he smoked around me was at the gala we went to when we ran into Atticus and Ayden on our way back from his cigarette break. That was also the only time I ever smoked one of his cigarettes.

As much as I found it sexy when he did it, I also knew it was a bad habit - something I always conveyed to him when he smoked and this time was no different.

"Why do you need to? Just come to bed with me."

"You know why Daniela." I can't say I wasn't surprised when he used my full name, suddenly sounding like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders when he continued speaking. "It's the anniversary of their deaths in two days and now I find out that my freaking brother is telling my children things that I don't want them to know."

Shaking his head, he took off the jacket he'd been wearing during our flight tossing it carelessly on the chair near to him.

"He moved away and cut himself off from us, I only allow him around my children as a courtesy and yet he still..." When his sentence trailed off, it quickly became much clearer to me that his anger from earlier was worse than I thought.

He wanted sex to take his frustrations out on me and then when I declined, he decided to drink and have a cigarette.

"Carson baby just calm down. We don't even know what he's told Tyler yet, we'll find out tomorrow. But for now you need to stay calm."

"How the hell am I supposed to do that? We're his freaking parents Dani! We should be the one to decide when he finds out about it."

So he really didn't know how to calm down whenever it came to the children and their protection. Whenever he talked about it like this, I guess it only made it worse.

Letting out a breath, I crossed the room heading over to where he was standing by the door since he was planning to go outside a few moments ago.

"Baby listen to me, we'll take control of this tomorrow. Right now, I want you to come and take a warm shower with me and then we'll go to bed."

"But-"

"Maybe if you're lucky I'll let you have some fun in the shower?" When I quickly cut him off, taking his hand in mine, his eyes darkened with lust as he processed my words.

"You said you were tired." When he muttered those words, I shook my head tugging on his hand to pull him towards the bathroom. "You can do all the work babe."

I may have been tired, but if he needed it instead of drinking and smoking then of course I would do it for him.

Without another word we went into the bathroom and Carson turned on the shower before we both stripped off our clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor as we stepped into the steamy confines of the shower.

A few minutes passed as we both showered, savouring the way that the heat and the steam eased the tension in our muscles after the long flight. Once I'd finished washing the conditioner out of my hair, I turned towards Carson, standing up on my tip toes to kiss him.

After a few moments, Carson pulled me in tighter to his chest with his hands on my waist before he eventually broke the kiss. I thought he would taken me up on my offer from earlier, but instead he just held me in his arms in a hug.

"I thought you wanted sex." When I whispered the words to him as we stood under the warm water, he shook his head pressing a kiss to my cheek. "Just stay like this."

Another few moments passed by as we stayed in a comforting embrace, the sound of the water around us being the only thing filling the silence.

"You want to go to bed now?" When he broke the silence I lifted my head to look at him. "I'm confused."

My confession caused him to smile as he nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck. "I don't need sex, hugging you calmed me down."

"Really?" When I questioned him I savoured the feeling of the hot water running through my damp hair and trailing down my skin.

"You don't remember what I said to you that day we became friends while we were kidnapped?" At this I shook my head as he pulled away from me so that I could see his face. "You forgot?"

He actually seemed kind of offended at that.

"Um...well..." When my sentence awkwardly trailed off as I tried to picture those days from 13 years ago, I gave Carson a sheepish smile. "Let me jog your memory then baby. We were lying in that stupid bed and you asked if we could be friends, then I asked you about your necklace that your mom gave you and-"

"Oh! I remember! I told you if you needed comfort you could hold onto my necklace and then you said you'd hold onto me instead."

When I finally got what he was referring to, he nodded his head pressing a kiss to my lips. "I don't need sex after that hug."

"I'm sorry I forgot. It's just been so long and after having four children I feel like my brain is fried half the time."

While I was busy trying to apologise to him, Carson turned off the shower before he handed me a towel off the hook, also taking one for himself. "It's okay baby, I get it. It was 13 years ago."

"But it's still cute." When I flashed him a teasing smile, he let out a laugh as he wrapped his towel around his waist. Once I'd dried off a little, I wrapped my towel around my body before I followed him into the walk in closet where I put on some panties and one of his shirts.

It may have been 13 years since we first got together but I still almost always slept in one of his shirts.

It didn't take long after that for me to dry my hair a little with the blow dryer before we finally got into bed, deciding to leave any tasks like unpacking until the morning.

"I love you Dani." As I shuffled across the bed and into his arms, Carson whispered those words to me before pressing a kiss to my temple. "I love you too baby."

<<<<<<< >>>>>>> <<<<<<<

~ Carson's POV ~

After last night Dani decided to wake me up the way every single man on this planet dreams of being woken up. It was only 8am when she woke me up, and considering the house was absolutely dead silent we thought we had enough time to enjoy each other's company.

It was actually going very well until the inevitable happened.

"Mama! You wake?"

The moment we heard Poppy shouting from outside our door, the two of us froze, our previous escapade suddenly forgotten - for the moment.

"Wait a second baby!" As she spoke, Dani quickly pushed me off her causing a sense of frustration to rise up in me as she quickly straightened her shirt, looking around for underwear that I'd thrown somewhere in the room.

"Where are my panties?"

I really freaking hate that word.

"I don't freaking know." When I muttered the words while putting my boxers back on, she looked over at me in annoyance before she let out a sigh. Instead of getting up, she chose to quickly pull the bed sheets over us, making sure she was covered.

"Yes Poppy?" When she was finally sure we were decent, she called our daughter in who came running in with Nessa next to her and Dalton behind them.

Three of them, that's freaking great.

"Mama get up, let's go play!" When Poppy jumped excitedly by our bed, Dani let out a strained laugh watching Poppy while clutching the sheets tighter to her body. "Where is Tyler?"

I guess she was hoping Tyler could watch them for a few minutes while she found her underwear and then got ready for the day.

"Tyler sleeping, mama come play." This time it was Nessa who spoke, clutching her stupid stuffed fairy to her chest while she looked at Dani with those innocent eyes.

Why did she have to be so freaking convincing with those eyes?

"Maybe if you wake Tyler up, he can show you the house while mama and daddy get ready?" When she gave me them a hopeful smile, glancing over at me when she sensed my obvious annoyance at our children's untimely presence.

"Mama you come!"

Are you being freaking serious?

When I let out a scoff at Poppy's painful words, I'm sure I saw a smile tug at Dani's lips when she turned to glare at me before she turned back to our children.

"Daddy are you angry?" This time it was Dalton who spoke, giving me a frown as he got up on the bed shuffling over to me. "No Dalton, I'm just tired."

"You want to play too? We can go to the beach and play in the water together." When he gave me a hopeful smile which lit up his eyes, a small teeny tiny minuscule amount of the annoyance I felt chipped away.

He was always so shy when he asked for things, he'd been like that since he was little.

"Of course baby, just give me some time to take a quick shower and then we can make breakfast together and after that, we'll play on the beach all day." When I gave him a smile, he nodded excitedly before he shuffled closer to wrap his arms around me in a hug.

"Thank you daddy."

And there goes another teeny tiny minuscule piece of annoyance.

"You're welcome, now go away." When I gently pushed him away, he let out a giggle nodding his head as he got out of the bed. As he was walking towards the door I cleared my throat, catching his attention.

"Take your sisters with you."

"Sorry daddy. Come on." As he spoke, he took each of their hands and guided them out of the room while they looked innocently back at us. Once they were finally out of the room, I let out a frustrated sigh running a hand over my face.

"Maybe I should go and get changed." When she broke the short awkward silence that fell around us, I only nodded my head although she didn't move after that. "But, Carson we can finish if you want."

"We both know the mood is gone Dani. Just get up, they'll be waiting for you."

Once again another silence fell around us before she suddenly moved across the bed towards me, pushing the bedsheets away from me and from herself.

"And we both know, you're still ready for me, so..." As she spoke she leaned in closer to me, whispering in my ear. "Have your way with me...boss."

Although I still wasn't sure about it, her seductive tone caused me to let out a groan as a triumphant smile stretched across her face.

How could I say no to that?

At least this time we managed to finish before it happened again.

"Mama, daddy hurry up!"

I'll never understand what I was thinking when I was 25 years old, asking Dani to have four children and so quickly too.

<<<<<<< >>>>>>> <<<<<<<

Have you ever sat and just taken a moment to feel grateful that humans mature and get older? Because I did that, and it's actually quite therapeutic.

For at least five minutes I sat on the sand and watched my five year old daughter pick up a handful of sand and walk to the sea to put it down.

Over and over again.

I tried to tell Poppy that there was enough sand in the sea and that she didn't need to put anymore in there, but she was absolutely adamant that she was going to carry on moving the sand off the beach and into the sea.

Even after a few minutes Dani gave up trying to get her to do anything else but transfer the sand to the sea.

But I just couldn't take my eyes off her, I was absolutely fascinated that I was once that dumb.

But it was so freaking cute watching her, dressed in her little pink swimsuit and her little bucket hat, pick up the sand from the beach ignoring the fact it was falling between her fingers as she walked to the sea to throw it in.

My baby girl thought she was doing something that would drastically change the world by the way she was so determined to move the sand.

That's exactly what I taught my children - never stop, for anyone, show the world what you can do. You have the power to change the world, you just have to be brave enough to do it - even if you have to go it alone.

But of course they would never be alone because I'd always be there, Dani would always be there and I taught all four of them that they're all each other has. The bond between siblings is the most important bond, after the parents are gone, they'll be the ones who are truly there for each other.

My attention was soon taken away from Poppy who was living in her own little world, when I saw Dalton and Tyler coming out of the ocean and running towards me.

Or they tried to run on the sand anyway but that seemed impossible for them.

"Daddy want to play in the water with us?"

We'd only just had breakfast an hour ago and straight away these children were on the beach, as if they had absolutely no care in the world.

"You know, I'm actually pretty good sitting here just watching you-"

"Carson."

Just as I was about to reject their offer, I heard Dani speak in a warning tone as she came out of the house carrying Nessa in her arms. The look she gave me caused me to let out an exaggerated sigh, standing up to my feet as I brushed the sand off my shorts.

"Fine, but if either one of you rascals splashes me, I'm throwing you to the sharks." When I gave them each a threatening glare, they nodded their heads as I took of my T-shirt revealing my tattooed upper body.

"There's my name!" Just like always whenever they saw me shirtless, all my children pointed out the tattoos of their names that I had done after each of them was born.

Thank the Lord we didn't have anymore because I was running out of space on my chest above my heart where I had one for each of my children, Dani, my mother and my sister.

It's a good thing I left that area blank even when I once thought I would never get married or have children.

"I see mine." As he spoke Tyler reached out to trace his finger over his name that was permanently inked on my skin. "Daddy when I'm bigger, I'm going to be like you. I'm going to get tattoos and be angry all the time too."

What a little sh- rascal.

"Oh no, you're going to be way better than me, I promise."As I spoke I took each of their hands as we started walking towards the water.

I hadn't had a chance to speak to Tyler yet about the mafia, but I knew when I told him I would also have to tell him he would take over from me one day. The only difference would be that I would be there to train him and prepare him, and then I would still be there after I step down to guide him and mentor him.

I didn't have that when I took over at the age of 20, so I made mistakes along the way as I learned. But I was determined that he would never have to go through that.

That's why from the moment I found out I was going to have a son, I started writing it all down for him. I even had Grey write down all his advice, tips and tricks for Dalton if he ever decided to become the underboss for Tyler.

If we weren't here to help them, then at least they would always have our advice with them wherever they went.

Time passed by just like that while I played with the boys in the water, not that I knew how to 'play' but I guess I just did whatever they asked me to do. Most of it was them climbing onto my shoulders and then jumping back into the water, or them asking me to throw them as far as I could.

Apparently they weren't scared of my shark threat anymore because they didn't mind being thrown into the water and I definitely did also get splashed by them.

While we were busy playing, I kept my eyes on the girls who were both now sitting on the sand next to Dani while she showed them the sand as if was the most magical thing ever.

Nessa seemed especially captivated by the golden grains as she picked them up, analysing how easily they flowed through her fingers like water did.

While I was busy watching them, I frowned in disgust when I saw Poppy lift a handful of the sand towards her mouth just as Dani knocked the sand out of her hand causing it to fall back to the floor before she could eat it.

She was really my oddest child.

"Daddy come under the water with us. We can all pretend to look like floating dead fish."

Actually never mind.

Turning my attention back to Dalton and Tyler, I shook my head at their request. What kind of freaking mob boss pretends to be a fish?

"How about we don't do that?" When I flashed them a pleading smile, they thankfully agreed instead turning their attention to Dani who was now walking towards the shore with Poppy by her side and Nessa in her arms.

While Poppy was excited to get in the water, Nessa had a frown on her face as she neared the ocean in her mother's arms.

"Come on, let's go and play with mama." Without hesitation, the two of them swam towards the shore where Poppy was standing with her feet in the water, giggling when the tide rushed over her feet splashing onto her legs.

"Daddy look!" As soon as I neared her she pointed at the retreating water, giggling again when it came back rushing over her feet. "It's crazy, right baby? Like magic."

"The water is magic?" When she looked at me with wide eyes, I nodded my head as I sat down in the water that barely reached her ankles. "It is."

"Like the mermaids are magic?" This time I had no clue what to say to that, so I just nodded her head hoping I had it right. "Yeah, like the mermaids."

"Daddy can we find them? I want to say hi to Ariel."

"Who the fu-"

"Carson."

"Who is Ariel?" When I changed my sentence, I flashed Dani an annoyed look while she just rolled her eyes turning her attention back to Nessa who looked extremely unsettled.

"Ariel! The Little Mermaid daddy!" When she suddenly shouted at me with this sudden anger that resembled her mother's so much, my eyes widened before I quickly nodded, pretending I knew what the hell that was. "Of course! I was just testing to see if you knew who Ariel was. Congratulations, you passed the test."

"I know who Ariel is, silly daddy. I know Ariel, Moana, Jasmine, Cinderella, Belle, Elsa, Snow White, Rapun-"

"Yeah I got it." When I muttered those words cutting her off, she flashed me a smile completely ignoring the irritation in my voice. "Daddy I want to be a princess."

"You are a princess Poppy." Almost instantly she shook her head at this, looking down at the tide when it came back again smoothing out her footsteps in the damp sand. "No daddy, I haven't got a dress, or a tiara, or a castle or-"

"Baby girl turn around." When I whispered those words to her, she pouted her lips before she slowly turned around to face the huge house behind her. "You see that?"

I whispered those words to her as I got on my knees behind her, holding her against my chest still on the floor in the shallow water, running my hand through her hair. "Yeah."

"That's your castle baby. This is your castle, our home in Long Island is your castle and our home in Miami is also your castle because, you my little princess deserve an entire kingdom."

"I have a kingdom?" She sounded so shocked as she stared at the house before she turned back around to look at me. "Of course baby girl and let me tell you a little secret - our family is very important, daddy's job means that-"

"You're a ninja." When she cut me off giving me an innocent and yet completely serious look, I couldn't stop the smile that tugged at my lips. "What?"

"Tyler said that uncle Kai told him that you're a ninja. That's why you have a gun and why you have lots of angry men following you."

So that's what he meant last night when he said he knew more than I thought.

"Well, it's kind of like that, yes baby." It was absolutely nothing like that but I couldn't exactly tell her I was the boss of the Italian mafia, so I'll stick with her theory.

"And because daddy is very important, that means you're super important too. In our world, you're royalty."

As I spoke I tucked some hair behind her ear, giving her a soft smile when her eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Of course, that's why I always have angry men follow you and your brothers and sister. The Agnello family is royalty baby, your mama is the queen, daddy is the king and you're the princess."

"I'm a princess?" When a smile grew on her lips I nodded my head leaning in to press a kiss to her nose. "You're a princess, and you will always be a princess - my princess."

"I love you daddy." When she wrapped her arms around my neck in a hug, I pulled her against my chest in a tight embrace. "I love you too my beautiful."

Once she was done hugging me, she decided to go over to Tyler and Dalton who had been instructed by Dani to stay in the shallow water close to the beach if I wasn't with them. Of course as soon as Poppy started getting closer to them, she made them come even closer to us much to their annoyance.

It was cute though, she just wanted to play with them even if she was much smaller at the age of five while Tyler, the eldest, was ten years old.

I was busy watching them play together when I heard Nessa let out a cry in Dani's arms, catching my attention. Standing to my feet, I stepped closer to where they were still standing on the dry sand looking out at the ocean.

"Nessy baby what's the matter?" When she heard my voice she turned her head to look at me as her lip trembled, meaning Dani spoke for her. "She's scared of the water."

"Why my baby? There's nothing to be scared of." As I spoke I carefully took her from Dani's arms causing her to frown when she saw I was all wet.

"It's like a really big big big bath time." As she spoke, the tears that had welled up in her eyes spilled over onto her chubby cheeks. Of all the children, I think Nessa hated bath time the most which was extraordinary considering the lengths our first three children went to in trying to escape bath time.

It got to the point where Dani had to always give Poppy and Nessa a bath together so that she had a friend with her.

"It's okay baby, nothing bad is going to happen, daddy would never let anything happen. If you don't want to go in the water then we won't, or we can just sit in the water and you can stay on my lap?"

When I gave her the option, gesturing to the extremely shallow water where the tide was coming in on the sand, she stared at it with apprehension before she eventually nodded.

Dani watched us carefully as I sat down on the floor, the water splashing around me when the tide came rushing in while I kept Nessa on my lap where she wouldn't get wet.

"See baby? It's just water, it's not that bad." As I spoke she leaned back against my chest, watching the water as it splashed around us while Dani went over to the boys and Poppy, taking the chance to spend some time with them now that Nessa was occupied.

"Look." When she pointed at something on the floor, my eyes shifted away from the sight of Dani playing with our children and towards the small sea shell poking out of the sand next to us.

Taking it out, I rinsed the sand off in the water before I handed it to her watching the fascinated expression on her face as she held it in her small hand. "It's for you daddy."

"For me?" I rose an eyebrow at her as she handed it to me with me a smile. "Thank you."

"Daddy and Nessy find more she shells?" Yes she couldn't say sea shells, which made me want to eat her she was that freaking cute.

"Okay, let's go. You want to walk?" When I asked her the question she nodded her head, shuffling off my lap and onto the wet sand with the water reaching up to her ankles for the first time. "It feels squishy."

She scrunched her nose up as she stood there feeling the sand under her feet, wiggling her toes in the water causing me to laugh. "It's nice though, no?"

"I don't know yet." As she spoke she stepped closer to me, holding onto my hand as we started walking up the beach along the shore, stopping so that she could pick up any sea shells when she found them.

Our day was spent much like that, we spent time playing in the water, having a picnic on the beach and building sand castles. Of course when Dalton accidentally knocked over the castle, Poppy started crying and then we had to calm her down. There were always tears with four children aged ten and under, that much was inevitable.

Finally after dinner, we put Poppy and Nessa to bed and while Dalton was busy watching a movie, Dani and I took Tyler into the kitchen to talk to him about the mafia.

A few moments passed while Dani and I sat across from him at the kitchen table - kind of like police do in an interrogation.

Dani was playing good cop and I was playing bad cop.

"So what did Uncle Kai say to you?" When she eventually broke the silence, Tyler shifted his gaze towards his mother clasping his hands together on the table. "He said daddy was an important ninja with a dangerous job."

"And you believed him?" In response to Dani's question he nodded his head. "I did."

"Who else did you tell?" When I asked him the question attempting to scare him with my classic glare that I gave to people I didn't like, a smile tugged at his lips which he quickly tried to cover. "No one daddy."

"How many times have I told you not to lie to me?" Of course I knew he was lying because Poppy told me not too long ago that I was ninja. "I'm not lying daddy."

Even when I gave him another mafia boss glare, he didn't crack. Instead he just sat there with a blank expression, until Dani spoke up and it all came crumbling down. "Tyler, tell us the truth. Now."

"I told Dalton and Poppy...and Mary Lou." When he looked away nervously from the look his mother was giving him, I just sat there glaring at her. "I'm supposed to be the freaking bad cop."

"Well you're not doing a very good job." When she shot back her response, I let out a scoff turning in my chair to face her. "You haven't even given me a chance, you just jumped in. I've interrogated people much older and much more terrifying than him and I got answers while you were busy adding up all your little numbers up on your calculator."

"Bitch without my calculator, your organisation wouldn't be standing." Her words caused me to narrow my eyes at her, just as Tyler cleared his throat. "So can I go now?"

"No."
"No."

When we both snapped at him, he shrank back in his seat before Dani let out a sigh. "Ty we need to talk to you about something. Uncle Kai wasn't telling the full truth."

"My job is dangerous but I'm not a ninja." When I jumped in, Tyler turned to look at me with a frown. "You're not?"

When I shook my head his frown deepened as he sat there in thought for a moment. "So then why is your job dangerous?"

"It's a big family secret Tyler. I was ten years older than you when I found out about it, you have to promise you will not tell anyone. Especially that Mary Lou chick."

"We broke up daddy." When he muttered those words I resisted the urge to roll my eyes - these two broke up every week.

"Promise me you won't tell anyone. This is about life and death Tyler, it's not a joke. I want to trust you now so that I can teach you things as you grow up, but you have to understand how serious this is."

"I won't tell anyone, not even Mary Lou if we get back together - but I think this is the last time. She kissed Freddie and-"

"Tyler focus please." When Dani cut him off, he nodded his head giving her a small smile. "Sorry mama."

"So you understand you're not allowed to tell anyone? Nobody at school, not even Dalton or Poppy, we will decide when they are old enough to know."

I wasn't sure when I was planning on telling Dalton, but I definitely knew 8 years old was too young.

"I understand." When he nodded his head, I let out a nervous sigh, glancing over at Dani who gave me a nod of encouragement.

"You know how I'm half Italian?" When I asked him that question, he nodded his head waiting for me to tell him the big secret. "Well, the Agnello family originated in Italy and then they moved here to America."

"I know, you told us it was your great great great great grandad who came to America."

"No baby, it's just great great." When Dani jumped in, flashing me a pointed look when she referred back to our conversation from yesterday, I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, well when he came here he couldn't get a job so he started doing some illegal things."

"Like killing?" When he asked that question, I let out another breath. "Sometimes, if he had to, yes. He started a business selling illegal things in secret, so that the police didn't find out."

"Like what?" He didn't seem shocked or scared, yet, just curious. "Drugs and when alcohol was illegal, he sold that too."

"That's so cool." When his eyes lit up in excitement, I let out a laugh which very quickly faded when he continued. "It's like the stories you told us daddy - with the people who killed all the bad guys and sold the drugs and-"

"What?" When Dani suddenly turned to look at me, I quickly shook my head. "I think he's got me confused with someone else, maybe Mary Lou."

She did find out I'd been paying them to keep things from her, but she never found out about the stories - until now I guess.

"Anyway, enough about that. So when my great great grandfather Salvestro came here, he started this illegal business which is called the mafia."

When I said that word, he nodded his head as if he understood what I was saying.

"This was around 140 years ago."

"Oh dear, long time." His response caused both Dani and I to laugh as I nodded my head. "It is, but the thing is baby, my great grandfather, grandfather and my dad all carried on the business."

"So it is still happening? The illegal stuff?" I nodded my head at his question. "It is, I own the mafia now Tyler. It is passed down to the eldest son in each generation, so that means you're next."

My words caused his eyes to widen a little before he leaned back in his chair, taking a moment to digest the news.

"But daddy I wanted to be an astronaut."

His sudden confession caused Dani and I to laugh while he sat there with a grin. "I know Ty, and if you really want to be an astronaut, when you're old enough you can give the job to Dalton, but it's your-"

"No I don't want to be an astronaut anymore, I want to be the mafia." When he quickly cut me off at the mention of his little before, I let out a laugh nodding my head. "Okay baby."

"So when do I become it?"

"The boss?" When I rose an eyebrow at him, checking to see if he actually understood the mafia wasn't a person but an organisation he only nodded his head.

So maybe it would take some explaining over time.

"Well, as soon as I think you're old enough I will start training you. I will teach you everything you need to know and then one day when you're old enough, I'll step down as the boss and you can take over."

"What about Dalton? And Poppy and Nessy?" When he frowned looking between the two of us, Dani spoke up. "Well Dalton will be your underboss if he wants to. Kind of like your best friend, you do everything together and he will help you make decisions. Poppy and Nessa can see if they want to help but they don't have to."

This time he stayed quiet for a moment thinking about what Dani said before he nodded.

"I won't tell anyone daddy, I promise."

"Good." When I gave him a smile, a sense of relief washing through me at how much easier it was, he got up from his chair coming towards me to give me a hug. "Daddy will I be like you?"

"You'll be way better than me Ty, I'll make sure of it. You'll be the best boss yet."

"Really?" When his eyes brightened I nodded my head, as did Dani.

"The best."

I was determined to make him the best. To mould him into a much better version of me. I didn't want him to have the same experiences I did.

I once told Dani one of my secrets was that I had a panic attack the first time I killed someone just because I was trying to prove myself as the boss in one of the first meetings I ever had. I didn't want that for him, I wanted him to be ready for everything. I wanted him to know his worth, to know he was the best and most deserving of that position.

And I was going to spend the rest of my life making sure he did his absolute best - because that's all anyone can ever do, try their best.

Parenting wasn't easy, especially when I had four children with completely different personalities. But to mentor your own children in the mafia was another completely different ball game.

I knew I would never be satisfied, even now before we started I knew I wasn't going to ever be sure he was truly ready. But that was because I was his father, it wasn't my first choice to have him take over the mafia but it was in his blood as much as mine. It was his choice and if he chose to continue our legacy then I would be there to guide him and support him as best as I could.

But that didn't mean I wasn't worried for him - for his safety and sanity. This world isn't for the faint of heart, it's not a joke or something you read about in those romance novels that Dani's been reading since she feels can now 'relate to them' and the women falling in love with mobsters.

It's a brutal world, you have to lie without guilt, kill without hesitation and remorse, evade the authorities and corrupt them as much as you can so that they're in your favour. In the life of the mafia there's a few sayings that fit perfectly; kill or be killed, better you dead than me, do what you need to do to survive.

Dani and I had been through hell in our relationship with the mafia and the world of crime. She was on one side with the Irish Mob and I was on the other. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time when I was kidnapped by an enemy. We dealt with the Hollande crime family after Eva Hollande attacked her. The Irish Mob killed my family.

You have to know that any day can be your last if someone screws up.

But I was sure I could do it with Dani's help, she was absolutely the best mother to the four of our children. There wasn't anything that woman couldn't do or wouldn't do for our family.

She was the definition of perfection in my eyes and she gave me my four babies, which I'd be eternally grateful to her for. I knew she would help me to teach both Tyler and Dalton how to cope in this life while also making sure our princesses were safe and secure in whichever paths they chose to go down.

The mafia was a family first and foremost, and now I had to make sure that our family legacy, the Agnello legacy lives on in our children. And I was going to do it with my queen right by my side because there's another saying that goes well in the mafia too - behind every great man is an even greater woman, except this woman was the one leading the way.

And I would always follow her.

~ Daniela's POV ~

A few days passed while we were in LA over Christmas and the anniversary of Poppy's and Maya's deaths. Even though our children never met them, throughout the year and every year on the anniversary we sat with them and told them stories and showed them videos and pictures of their grandmama and their auntie.

Carson would never ever let his children forget them or forget that they were eternally loved by his mother and sister. Although this time of year was hard for him for obvious reasons, he always did his best to celebrate them instead of mourn them.

After Christmas passed, we flew to Miami on New Years Eve, where we planned to spend a few days with Avi, Fox, Grey and Eleanor and all their children - starting with the fireworks at midnight.

Since Fox and Avi had their four year old twins, Grey and Eleanor had Sara and Noah who were crazy teenagers and then little Jamie who was four years old, and then Carson and I had four children too, we knew it was going to be a nightmare with all nine children. Hence why we decided to stay in Carson's home in Miami instead of the house where they were all staying together.

We may love them all like hell, but things have changed a lot since everyone became individual couples and families over the last thirteen years. We used to all live together at one point in the mafia mansion at the beginning when I first came into Carson's life and then when I became his accountant. But once we had our family we found that we preferred to have our own space and so did the others.

That didn't mean we didn't see each other as much anymore because we did all the freaking time.

I couldn't get rid of any of them even if I tried.

"Dani!" As soon as the door to the equivalent of the mafia mansion in Miami swung open revealing my sister, I let out a laugh when she pulled me into a tight hug. "Oh I missed you! Merry Christmas and happy new year."

"You too El, to all of those things." When I gave her my response she pulled away pressing a kiss to my cheek before she turned her attention to the four year old in my arms that she almost crushed when she hugged me. "Nessy!"

"Auntie Elly!" When she responded in exactly the same tone, I heard a laugh come from Grey as he stepped up behind El. "It's good to see you Dani."

"You too, happy new year." When I gave him a smile, he nodded returning the greeting as he leaned in to kiss my forehead and then Nessa's too. "Where's Carson?"

"Oh he's with Tyler and Dalton trying to get Poppy out of her car seat. She's throwing a tantrum." Right on cue, we all turned around when we heard a loud screech coming from my five year old in the car.

"Oh, well let's leave them to it then. Come in." Eleanor's words caused me to roll my eyes as I stepped inside. She really still hated Carson even after all these years. I don't think it was because of the mafia anymore, I think she just didn't like him as a person and she never bothered to try to like him.

Having said that, sometimes I do think she secretly likes him and that she's just doing it for appearances now.

As I stepped inside, I glanced back at the car where my husband was absolutely losing his mind trying to get Poppy to calm down. It's funny because in five minutes she'll be calm playing with her cousins and he'll be the one with a glare on his face trying to hold back his curses.

But this time I didn't blame him, because she had no reason to cry, she just felt like it. Even though it was almost midnight, she'd been napping for the last few hours so there was no reason for her to cry so much.

"They're all outside in the garden, we're doing the fireworks in ten minutes." Nodding my head, I followed Grey through the house and to the back yard where Fox was busy preparing the fireworks for the stroke of midnight while Aviana tried to control all the children.

It was definitely a sight to behold.

"I know you're my son, but I swear to you I will take you to an adoption agency if you don't sit still. You're encouraging your brother to act out and that is just- Noah, stop it! That's not safe!"

While she was busy scolding her four year old sons for not sitting still on their chairs, she suddenly stopped and chased after my teenage nephew when he picked up the lighter that was supposed to be used for the fireworks.

"Noah give that to me." Just as he reached me, I placed my free hand on his chest to stop him from running away causing him to glare at me.

"Auntie Dani."

He's at that dreaded moody teenage stage. I don't think we went a week without hearing a story from Grey or El of how he's been misbehaving at school. I honestly missed the days he just wanted hugs all the time when he was my little baby.

He's still my little baby now, but he's a moody little baby.

"Noah." When I gave him a sickly sweet smile, he begrudgingly placed the lighter in my hand before he glanced down at his little cousin in my arms with a glare although it had softened a little. He was another one who liked to pretend to hate people - Nessa especially. "What are you looking at?"

"Hello Noah." Somehow Nessy ignored his glare and flashed him a smile as she waved her little hand at him. Of course he only rolled his eyes walking away just as he passed his step sister Sara who was much more excited to see us than Noah.

"Auntie Dani! I missed you so much!" As she came over to me she was about to give me a hug when she spotted Nessa in my arms instead, letting out a loud gasp. "Nessy!"

She pretty much just took Nessa from my arms after that, taking her over to the twins before I could even get a word in. It didn't matter though because it was then that my husband walked into the garden with Tyler and Dalton by his side and a screaming Poppy in his arms.

"Give her to me." When I suggested he hand her over to me, he shook his head as his eyes scanned the garden until they landed on Fox who seemed like he'd finished planting the fireworks in the grass with only a few minutes to spare. "Poppy baby let's go and say hello to Uncle Fox."

As soon as Carson mentioned the name of his best friend, her cries halted as she looked around with her tearful brown eyes, trying to find her favourite uncle. The moment she saw him, she let out a squeal pretty much forcing Carson to put her down so that she could run over to him.

"My little Poppy bear! Oh I missed you so much." As he lifted her into his arms, Fox planted kisses on her cheeks causing her to giggle while he walked over to Carson and I.

"It seems your child likes me more than you, so if you're in need I would be open to adopting my little Poppy bear. Our lawyers can deal with the formalities." Even though he spoke so formally, tickling Poppy under the chin as he did, Carson was less than impressed.

"Shut up." When Carson muttered the words to his friend, I rolled my eyes as I stepped closer to Fox to give him a hug. "Hey Little One."

It was cute how he called me that even though I was 34 years old now. He even called my children my little ones.

"Hi." When I gave him a smile he pressed a kiss to my cheek before he turned his attention to Dalton and Tyler to say hello to them. Unfortunately for him, he got a little too engrossed in the conversation because he soon had his wife shouting at him to go and get ready to light the fireworks since it was 11:59pm.

So when he put Poppy down on the ground, she ran over to the twins and Jamie who were practically the same age as her. That just created even more chaos because with that number of young children running around, someone was going to get hurt.

Taking a second I scanned my eyes around the garden noticing how Poppy, Jamie and the twins were somehow already playing with toys on the floor, Noah was leaning against the wall watching Fox fail to light the fireworks, Nessa was playing with Sara and giggling about something or another and Dalton and Tyler were stuffing their faces with food. Not to mention the fact that Aviana was trying to help Fox with the fireworks but from a distance because she didn't want to ruin her heels in the grass and Grey and Eleanor were trying to move the pile of playing children a little further away from the impending fireworks.

That moment was supposed to be perfect, but honestly we had children everywhere, parents trying to control their kids, a moody teenage boy who was watching the entire disorganised scene with a glare and Fox who didn't know how to light the fireworks on time which meant Avi and now Eleanor were screaming at him.

And yet, it just seemed perfect to me, chaotically perfect.

As soon as midnight struck, the surrounding houses started lighting their fireworks meaning that although ours were a little behind, we still got to see many different displays in all angles around us.

"Happy new year my queen."

Peeling my eyes away from the fireworks I could see in the distance, I turned to look at Carson when he spoke in a low husky voice. He kept an arm wrapped around my waist as I moved in closer to him, placing a hand on his chest, which just happened to be over his heart and therefore over all the names of our family tattooed onto his chest.

"Happy new year baby." Giving him a smile, I leaned in closer to him capturing his lips in mine for our fourteenth New Years kiss together. For those few seconds it felt like it was just us two of us again as the last thirteen years of my life flashed before my eyes.

We were kidnapped, we hated each other and then became friends, we escaped and fell in love on our journey back. I became his accountant and we dealt with some of our toughest demons together, we lost the people we loved the most but we still stayed strong together. In the end we got everything we ever dreamed of - a blissful marriage, a beautiful family and a perfect home to raise our four children in.

The future was uncertain, that much we knew. Whatever this year held for us was going to give us pure joy and and maybe at times stress and difficulty, it was going to have us laughing and crying, maybe at times wishing we never even had kids but overall it was going to hold another 365 days of memories that would stay with us for a life time.

Because we had each other, and that's all we needed.

The sound of the fireworks going off in our garden caused me to break the kiss pulling away from him, although I kept my eyes locked on his beautiful brown ones. I could see the sparks going off in the reflection of his eyes - the eyes that have mesmerised me since the moment he turned around in that room thirteen years ago allowing me to see him for the first time ever.

"I love you Carson." When I mumbled those words against his lips, he pecked my lips as he pulled me in tighter to him. "I love you too Trouble. Forever."

"Forever."

The End ✨

For real this time 🥺😢

Thank you so much for following this journey and reading this book! I appreciate every single comment, vote and read! It means the absolute world to me, so thank you!

I can't wait to see you all for my next story ❤️ I love you all x