CHAPTER 38

For even though ISAAC can easily afford to spend a few million dollars on a ring, something about KY makes it difficult to waste so much money on something so materialistic. KY knows that's coming from KY, what with KY'S own shallow compulsion to continue stealing beautiful dresses, but at least KY knows that the two point five million will be going to someone who needs it.

KY could have told all of this to ISAAC when they were alone, but ISAAC was already so upset that KY did not think it was a good idea to say anything else about the ring.

KY instead contentedly ponders how much the single mothers' shelter will now be able to do with KY'S gift to them. They told KY when KY phoned them earlier that they'll at last be in a position to purchase a long-needed additional shelter, refurbish it to meet their needs, and pay operating costs for quite a while. The cost of any type of property in New York is astronomical, yet the charity organization desperately requires one additional center in the city, and KY sighs in content as KY weighs all the good the money will accomplish.KY sighs as KY thinks about how they so desperately require this fake fiancée plan to work. Because with Carmine's threat hanging over their head, there's absolutely no room for failure.

KYOLINE DIEGO-

The schools are next to each other, and when they go to pick them up, KY can't help but grin like a maniac at the way the kids bounce all over KY. Even DEBORAH hugs KY strongly. God, KY has missed them so much, and KY is just so glad that they're okay.

Once they're back in his SUV, KY informs the kids they'll be staying with ISAAC for a while.

"What about the apartment?" DAMON wants to know.

"Well, you see, uh, ISAAC and KY are, ah, getting married."

DEBORAH's eyes go wide with surprise, but KY just smiles at her. ISAAC talked to KY about this, and he said it was preferable that the children believe the engagement is genuine so that they won't inadvertently reveal the truth to someone.DAMON'S nose scrunches up. "You're gonna marry a cereal thief, KY? Jeez, where do you find these guys?"

ISAAC'S face falls at the six-year-old's critique, and KY tries to suppress KY'S grin.

"KY thought you had taste higher than that," DAMON continues, oblivious to the glare ISAAC is giving him.

Later, ISAAC pulls into the driveway of a massive house in VINCENT DANZAville. Looking up at the mansion, KY can tell the children are impressed. It's larger and fancier than Giotto's place.

They exit the car, and KY notices the soldiers with weapons and guarding the area. The Cicconis do not live in VINCENT DANZAville, and KY knows that VINCENT DANZA banned them from the area while having KY on a hit list.

"How many people you gotta rob to get a crib like this?" DAMON asks with a screwed-up face.KY'S face contorts, but KY decides not to inform him as to what ISAAC actually spends most of his time doing—murdering. It's best at his age that he thinks the mafia just rob people.

They swung by KY'S house before they went and got the kids from school, and KY packed some bags and boxes of things to tide them over until they need to be here.ISAAC opens the trunk and grabs a handful of bags. "You know, for having no shit, you got a lot of shit," ISAAC complains as he passes KY.

"It's not that much! KY calls after him. The house has a great big entrance, loomed over by stone columns that have better days behind them. Both of the dark oak doors are open and lead into the massive and hugely formal-looking atrium—yeah, they now have an atrium rather than a plain foyer—with two flights of stairs ascending to a second-floor landing.". There are several doors and what looks like a sitting room with furniture covered in sheets.

DEBORAH and L'OREAL stare up at the second floor in awe.

The box in KY'S arms vanishes, and KY breaks up KY'S gawking long enough to see ISAAC go up the stairs.

"This house is…," DEBORAH starts, turning around. "Big?" L'OREAL finishes. "Is there a pool?"

KY shrugs, unsure as KY walks along the marble tiles that stretch across the atrium. "Maybe?"

"Can we see our room?" DEBORAH asks.

"Oh…uh." KY is not sure what to say to them. ISAAC and KY did not exactly talk about this move in detail. And by not in detail, KY means he told KY how it was going down, and that was it. But it's probably a safe bet there are more than adequate rooms for all of them.

"Can we pick them out?" DEBORAH asks excitedly, and KY opens and closes KY'S mouth trying to look for the answer. This is not their home, but ISAAC's.

"You guys have a room down the hall," ISAAC yells from the landing above them. "ISAAC can show you." The two girls rush up the stairs, L'OREAL protesting that DEBORAH got a head start, while DAMON follows more slowly. "Hey! No running! KY calls out, knowing that KY'S words are going in one ear and out the other. With a flip of KY'S head, KY lets KY'S eyes scan the entire place again, seeing the light wood panels that cover the walls, and KY explores the other rooms. In a dining room, KY is taken with the huge windows, the modern-looking fixture above KY'S head, and the shiny hardwood floors.

It's modern and yet elegant and traditional.

And so very ISAAC.

"You coming on the tour?" From the open doorway, KY can just barely spot ISAAC as he leans on the railing, resting his forearms, bending down to peer at KY with that smirk of his.

"Uh, yeah, KY guess."

KY climbs the stairs, still looking around KYSELF, and as KY reaches the top landing, ISAAC steps into place beside KY, the warmth of his hand seeping into KY'S lower back. "ISAAC figured you'd want to be near each other. KYOLINE and ISAAC are directly opposite you. The floor is all bedrooms for the most part, so if you don't care for the rooms ISAAC selected, you may pick another."

"Which one is mine?" DEBORAH asks, excited.

"Yours is the last one on the left, L'OREAL's is the one right in front of that one, and DAMON's is the last one on the right."

They all go to their rooms, leaving KY and ISAAC standing in the hall.

"This is a lot," KY says in a hushed tone.

"Is it? It's just a house." He shrugs.

"A house with a total of how many bedrooms and bathrooms?"

"Don't know. But enough so they can each have their own separate one."

"It's enormous!" DEBORAH's voice calls out from the doorway, and KY goes to take a glance at it.

"ISAAC had them furnished and decorated for you," ISAAC goes on. "ISAAC didn't have much time, but money moves things along quickly. If you'd like to have any other alterations made to the rooms, simply let ISAAC know, and ISAAC'll arrange it."

She squeals again, lifting her phone to take pictures. "You're the best!"

"What's this door?" L'OREAL pipes up.

"That's the bathroom," ISAAC answers as they fill the doorway of L'OREAL's room.

"Look, KY!" L'OREAL tugs at KY'S hand, bringing KY into the room more. "A real play table! And a tea set!"