Page 98 of Never Say Never

Someone save me. I glanced over my shoulder at York's door, mentally calling for him to come save me. There wasn't a single movement from his room, and I knew I was on my own as the girls pleaded for me to give in. I was only one man. How was I supposed to deny the two most important people in my life anything?

A knock at the door saved the day. I picked Nyra up and sat her on the couch next to her twin and went to open it. Whoever it was on the other side was either getting a raise or a kiss. I was good for either. One of the men who guarded our hallway nodded in respect to me. Everyone in Benito's building knew I was back, but they didn't know where I'd been this entire time. It was going to stay that way. As far as the rest of the family knew, I was out creating more connections for the betterment of the Vitales.

"Sir, sorry to disturb you, but there has been some news,” Mitchel said.

"Like?"

Two little heads popped up next to my legs.

"Hi." Navy waved at him as Nyra made sure to stick close to me.

The guard smiled and waved back. "Ma'am."

The girls giggled at being called ma'am.

"Why don't the two of you go do homework? Your school emailed packets that need to be filled out weekly. I know you two haven't started on this week's work."

"Ah, but Paolo," Navy started.

"We're crawling up a wall. We need kid fun."

"You know, like playing outside or something," Navy added. "You, Dad, and Shelly aren't great friends."

I gasped. "I take offense to that."

Both girls looked at each other before Nyra tugged me down to whisper in my ear.

"It's a secret, but you're the fun one."

I smiled. They knew how to cheer me up without even trying. "You're trying to butter me up so I will say yes to your shenanigans."

Navy nodded while Nyra shook her head.

"Um, sir, there is a pool on the third floor. There's also two other families in the building currently. I'm not sure their kids' ages but I'm certain they will be available to potentially play."

The twins’ eyes lit up like the fourth of July. There was no making them sit still after that news. They bounced around. "Please, Paolo, pretty please."

"Pretty please, what?" York asked. He stepped out of his room, and instantly, there was tension between us.

I wanted to go to him and drag him against me. Fighting with myself on a daily basis was becoming a norm.

"The girls want to do something other than be locked up.”

York shook his head but he couldn't possibly keep them locked up.

"Daddy, please." They ran over to him, pleading with him.

"They will be guarded and won't go outside of this building."

York stared at me, his brows dipping.

"Nothing will happen to them. Will it, Mitchel?" I asked.

The man jumped but shook his head. "I'd risk my life for their safety, nothing will happen to them."

"You can't think that will be enough,” York grumbled.

"We both know how secure this place is. There will be three guards on them and Shelly."