“Oh fuck,” Wicked jokes and I push up from his lap, dragging her off Royce to give her a hug.

“Congratulations, baby mama.” I smirk into her ear. “I hope it’s a girl.”

“Nope! Fuck that!” Royce points his finger at me. “Bro, don’t fucking say that!”

I shrug, dancing my way back onto Wicked’s lap. He bites my earlobe. “Our turn next.”

“Mama!” I scold her as she cusses in the background about her roast chicken. “It’s Christmas. We don’t care about any of that. Come sit down.”

She rests her hands on the counter, her shoulders lifting and lowering as she takes in deep breaths. My hand comes to her frail arm. “Mama, what’s wrong?”

“Why haven’t you asked me, Bubba? Why haven’t you asked me my role with P—” She pauses. “Victor.” I rest against the counter, crossing my ankles together and dazing off into the family room where the giant Christmas tree almost hits the high ceiling. Lights and decorations drape around the branches. It looks so good. I can’t believe Gio and Wicked did all of that on their own. Without killing each other.

“Mama, I may not know what happened between you and Skully, but I trust Wicked.” I tilt my head, tracing the lines on her face. “I trust him more than anyone in this world, and I know he knows what happened between you both, and I know that if he thought you weren’t good, you wouldn’t be allowed near me.” I squeeze her arm. “You can tell me in your own time, or not. That is up to you but, Mama, I love you. That’s your trauma that you carry. You do not have to share it with anyone else unless you’re ready to do so.”

Tears fall from her eyes and roll down her cheeks. “I wanted so desperately to get us both away. When you saw me packing my bags, Bubba, it wasn’t because he was sleeping with other women. I used that because the truth was far too much for you to bear.” She finally looks up at me, her blue eyes twinkling with unshed tears. “I was trapped. Something I am sure your sister will not understand.”

“My sister—” I wipe her tears away from her cheeks. “Will learn to understand.”

“She’s with the Bratva, Bubba. Don’t trust her.”

“Mama.” I hide my chuckle behind a smile. “I trust Val. She will be fine.”

Mama waves me off, swiping her tears with a dishcloth. “Go entertain the family. I’ve got this.”

I leave Mama in the kitchen, finding Gio, Marcu, and Wicked in the lounge with Gracie and her daughter. Gracie doesn’t have family, so naturally, she became ours. The doorbell rings and my eyes fly to Wicked.

“Baby… play nice.”

“I’m always nice,” I mumble, reaching the doorknob and swinging the door open.