Never Say Never (Vitale Brothers, #4)

by Brea Alepoú

"This is the first and only time I'm going to say this."

"If he keeps threatening my family, we'll have a prob...

"But I want to see Daddy and so do you," Navy argued. "But she said Paul isn't good."

"Yeah, but..." Navy's voice died off.

"Daddy," Nyra said as she rushed into York's arms.

Navy looked back at me. She looked skeptical, and I was certain she had a lot of questions. I wasn't so sure I had the right answers.

"Or what? You're going to kill me?" "No, I don't want you dead, never have." "You're lying." "I'm not."

"After everything, you think I want you out of my life permanently?"

"Why shouldn't I think that? You got close to me on purpose. Used me." "T...

"You mean so much more to me. You an...

"Why were you at my place last night?"

"Pa—Gianpaolo, answer me. Why the fuck were you at my house? How did you know they were going to attack?"

"Did you plan it?" "Fuck no!"

"Then how? I thought about it all night. Your timing was strange. You had already told the girls what to do. The security team was conveniently out, nothing was how it normally was, and there you were, magically in my home to save the day." "If you really thought I did it, why in the hell are you still here?"

"You think I can walk out of here with my girls in one piece? You brought us into the belly of the beast."

"I'm going to let you have that one, but don't try it again, York." My voice dipped as I let the nice Paul facade drop away. "I won't kill you but I sure as hell will make you beg for death.”

"You didn't listen to me after the car bombing. I told you I'd do what I had to. I stayed in the complex across from yours and watched over the three of you."

"What?" York took a step back.

"I wasn't going to let anything happen to you guys, so I took matters into my own hands. That security firm was midgrade at best. I didn't trust them to keep you or the girls safe."

"A while. It's a good thing I did."

"Paul... I mean, Paolo?" Navy tilted her head. "Why do you have a different name?"

"Navy, that's enough for now. We will talk about this later," York said.

"Do you still like Daddy?"

"Cross my heart."

"Are you guys going to make up?" God, I hope so. "I'm going to do everything in my power to."

"So are mine. I need them to be safe."

"What the fuck is this?" Gin shouted. “Who’s this asshole!” "Gin, calm down, there's something we have to discuss," Benito said.

"That's the fucking understatement of the year, Benito. Why the fuck is there a Gianpaolo look-alike in this office?" "I'm not a look-alike," I said. "He's dead," Enzo pointed out.

"Paolo?" Gin asked.

"Gin, Enzo, sit and we can catch you both up," Benito said.

"Start fucking talking, Benito, because right now I’m about to beat the fuck out of this imposter," Gin threatened.

Gin dropped the wood piece and took a few steps back. He clutched at his shirt, gasping for air. "You died." "That was a lie that Dad came up with," I said.

Even after all this time, our twin connection was still there. He didn't want anyone touching him. Gin scratched at his neck, leaving behind angry red lines. "Shit." Benito was up in seconds and over by Gin. He pulled at

"Enzo." "No." Enzo took another step away from me, refusing to look my way. "Gin," I called out. He was panting on the ground, wiping at his mouth, but he, too, didn't look my way either.

"I was sent undercover in the FBI," I tried to explain. But it felt pointless. No one seemed to give a damn.

"Give them time."

"York." He put the knife down. "You even look like them now. How fucking stupid was I?"

"What happened to your arm?"

"Noth—" I blew out a breath. "My brothers didn't take it well. Me being back." "Huh, didn't think bastards like your family gave a damn about being lied to."

"The girls weren't expecting you to look like a gangster. If you're going to insist on being here then do something about it." I spread my arms. "Like what?"

"Figure it out." York walked away.

"Need help?" I asked cautiously. No answer.

"Hey, Mels." She pulled back, and for a split second, the smile was gone. She punched me in the arm, the same one Enzo had cut. "Ouch."

"You deserve it. I thought you were dead. I can't stand your family for this shit. I'm charging you extra for emotional distress."

"Not deep enough for stitches, but Enzo has a knack for handing out damage. Just be happy he held back."

"Hey, did you have to check up on Gin?" I asked. Melony shook her head. "No, was called in for you and that's it. Why?"

"Him and Benito went at it. Just making sure it didn't get too bad."

I shouldn't still be attracted to him physically, but I was even more into his looks now than before. He looked… comfortable. Real.

"You did. I have never done anything other than look out for and care about them. If you think you can take my girls away from me, you're dead wrong." I glared at him. "Those are my girls." "And mine,"

the fuck what? You're pissed off at me, I get it. But I am swallowing shit from all sides and I am sick and tired of it. Those two are the only reason I'm able to keep going right now.