Page 198 of The Enforcer

It was special between them since his first Christmas in Dyker Heights.

There were tour buses that ran from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, because word got out and the rest of New York City came to see the guidos try to outdo one another.

Tino and Carina used to follow the tours when they stopped in front of Frankie’s place, or at the don’s. There were stops at both. They did it almost every night, entertaining the tourists who got to take pictures with real mafiosi. It became such a thing. They were almost part of the tour, and half the time they’d catch a ride to the end before the bus headed back to Manhattan, which was great because the tour drivers usually footed the bill for them when they stopped for hot chocolate and cannoli. Both of which Tino and Carina were big fans of at thirteen, so they were basically hyped the fuck up for the entire holiday season.

Probably why Nova hated the lights so much.

It certainly didn’t help.

The lights were one of the nicest memories Tino had about Dyker Heights. It wasn’t until he was back that he realized how horrible it was that he’d skipped the past two holidays with Carina.

So even though they were adults now, they entertained the first wave of tourists outside the don’s mansion who starting showing up after Thanksgiving dinner. They posed for the pictures and caught a ride to the end of the tour for cannoli and hot chocolate.

Tino got coffee this time.

Carina stuck with hot chocolate.

Brianna drank a bottle of water.

Then they made the long, chilly walk to the don’s mansion under the insanity of a million Christmas lights.

“I’d hate my life if I had to eat like you,” Carina said as she drank her hot chocolate. “For real, Bri. I’d quit.”

Brianna laughed as she leaned into Tino and drank her water like it wasn’t an issue. “I like water.”

Carina rolled her eyes, but she still seemed very content.

“I think Nonno won this year,” Carina said as she looked at a house that really went all out on the nativity, saints, overall Catholic theme.

“Nothing like the bigBuon Natalestamped right on the front of the mansion in case the sea of red, green, and white didn’t give it away.” Tino shook his head and pulled Brianna closer, rubbing his hand over her arm because it was cold, and she wasn’t drinking something warm like they were. “He really outdid himself this year.”

Carina laughed. “I liked the lit Sicilian flags that lined the walkway. That’s my favorite part.”

“I guarantee you Carlo put those motherfuckers in himself.”

Carina laughed harder. “Probably.”

Tino laughed with her, and for the first time in a very, very long time, all felt right with his world, and he was pretty sure he had Brianna to thank for it. So when Carina walked over to talk to Sarah Rapoli, who’d come home from Boston for the holiday, Tino leaned down and whispered in Brianna’s ear, “You gonna sneak into my room tonight?”

“I might,” Brianna said with a smile. “But you gotta tell me which one’s yours, or I’m gonna shock some poor middle-aged capo staying the night after drinking too much.”

“And that would be very bad for his health,” Tino confirmed. “I’m in Carlo’s room. He’s going back tonight to be with Lola.”

“Carlo’s room.” Brianna waggled her eyebrows. “Fancy.”

“Only the best for my girl.” He wanted to kiss her, but Carina was still talking to kids from school, and he wasn’t ready to do that to Brianna’s reputation. He’d dropped his arm the second he saw them, but he couldn’t stop himself from staying close. “You find me. I’ll make it good, baby.”

“Okay.” Brianna nodded, looking as breathless as he felt, even though he’d stayed the night last night at Carina’s and spent several hours making it good. She gave him another wide, pleased smile and promised, “I’ll definitely find you.”

* * * *

Carina was hyped up on chocolate and Christmas lights, sprawled out on her stomach in her room at the don’s mansion, flipping through the channels on the flat-screen television while Brianna brushed her teeth in the private bathroom.

“Aren’t you tired?” Brianna asked as she spit into the sink. “It’s midnight, Carina.”

“I’m sonottired.” Carina kept pushing the button on the remote, not bothering with the menu, making it obvious she was looking for something to keep her attention. “You wanna watch a Christmas movie?”

“Just because you had ten cups of hot chocolate doesn’t mean I did,” Brianna whined, because Carina loved Christmas movies, and they usually went from one to another on those channels that played them late at night. Brianna knew it because this wasn’t her first Thanksgiving at the don’s. She’d been staying there for the holiday weekend since fifth grade. “We’ll be up until five in the morning if you start on Christmas movies.”