by Chelle Bliss
“It’s not so bad here,” Daphne tells Izzy. “The neighborhood’s changed a lot since you guys moved away. Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have felt safe in the bar every night, but now it’s neighborhood hipsters and businessmen mostly filling the place at night.”
“I don’t care if the bar is on the Magnificent Mile, sweetheart, it’s still Chicago, and people are hungry for cash. Your business is no less dangerous than theirs.” Izzy’s eyes move from the men to Daphne.
Daphne shakes her head. “They’re looking for trouble. There’s a big difference.”
“What’s going on?” Max asks as she sits down next to Izzy.
Angel tips her head toward the guys who are still huddled tight and talking low. “They’re cooking up something. Race says Morgan’s on the hunt.”
Max groans and immediately moves her fingers to her temple before she begins to rub the tips in small circles against her skin. “Can’t we ever just have a vacation?”
“That’s a negative,” Izzy states flatly.
“I’ll pull Morgan aside and tell him to drop whatever scheme he’s cooking up,” Race says like it’s going to be easy, but I know nothing with Gallo men ever is.
Izzy bursts out laughing. “Oh, I want to watch that. Can you do it now so we can enjoy the show?”
Race’s eyes narrow and her lip curls. “I can be very convincing, darling.”
“I’m sure you can, babe. I’m sure you have your way with him, but with that look in his eye and the way he has the guys all in on it, there’s no stopping them now.”
“Oh no,” Bianca announces, pushing back from the table. “Vinnie is not participating. No way. No how.”
I cover my mouth, hiding my laughter. I haven’t been part of this family long, but the thing I know about all the Gallo men is there’s no stopping them once they put a plan in motion. That’s how it’s been with the three of them here in Chicago, but now with the entire tribe together, I’m pretty sure it’s the same.
“You’re going to tell him no?” Delilah asks with a smile pulling on her lips.
Bianca nods as she stands. “Fuck yeah, I am.” Her hand moves to her stomach, and the gesture isn’t lost on me. “He’s not going to do anything stupid. Not now. There’s too much happening for him to get himself hurt.”
“Is there anything you want to tell us?” Daphne asks, clearly noticing the placement of Bianca’s hand.
“He has a football contract, and we’re getting married,” Bianca says, forcing her shoulders back and straightening. “There’s no time for dumb shit.”
“Uh-huh,” Daphne mutters. “Go tell him that. We’ll wait.”
“Fine, I will,” Bianca tells us before she starts to march across the lawn toward the men.
“Anyone else catch that?” Daphne asks, pointing her long skinny index finger at Bianca’s behind. “She’s knocked up, right?”
“She hasn’t touched alcohol, so I’d say there’s a pretty good chance she’s pregnant,” Mia says casually. “Add in the hand over the stomach, and I’d say it’s almost certain.”
“It’s your turn now,” someone says, but I’m too busy watching Bianca to realize they’re talking to me until I feel a pointy elbow in my side. “Are you listening to me?”
I turn to Delilah in confusion. “Pardon?”
“It’s your turn. You and Angelo better get busy making another grandkid for Betty.”
“We have Tate and Brax,” I reply.
“Point?” Delilah shoots back.
“No point. We have two, and besides, I think I’m too old to have a baby.”
“You’re not too old, Tilly,” Mia interrupts, and I slice my eyes to hers because I’m no spring chicken either.
Daphne eyes me for a moment before she speaks. “Angelo’s going to want a little piece of you and him walking this earth long after you’re both gone. So, you better be ready, babe. That man is going to have you barefoot and pregnant in no time flat.”
“Maybe. We’ve barely discussed it, and I don’t think we’re ready.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” Suzy says to me. “I thought we were done having kids and then surprise!”
My hand moves to my throat, a slow burn rising inside my body. “I don’t think…”
I don’t get the words out because Bianca’s voice stops my words and all movement and chatter at our table. She’s grabbing Vinnie by the arm, pulling him away from the huddle, and cursing like I’ve never heard anyone curse before.
“Uh oh. Looks like trouble in paradise,” Delilah says with a chuckle. “I put five bucks on Bianca.”
“What in the fuck is she saying?” Izzy says, but I only shrug because I don’t know a lick of Spanish. “She’s really laying into him.”
“I’ve never seen Vinnie so tongue-tied.” Daphne giggles as we stare at them in shock.
Vinnie runs his hand through his hair, trying to get a word in, but every time he opens his mouth, Bianca puts her hand in front of his face.
She’s talking loudly, her hand moving wildly through the air as she speaks. Vinnie’s eyes widen and his body stiffens when the next string of curse words falls from her lips.
“Babe!” he yells, trying to talk above her, but she isn’t having it.
“Don’t babe me,” she spits, fisting her hands at her sides. “You will not do whatever shit they’re cooking up to do.”
Vinnie’s eyebrows rise. “Excuse me?”
“Oh shit,” Daphne whispers. “This is getting good.”
Bianca reaches between them, pressing her finger into the middle of his chest and closing the space between them. “You heard me.” Her eyes narrow. “I forbid it.”
He glances down at her hand but does nothing to move her finger away. “You tellin’ me what to do now?”
“Damn right, I am.” She jabs him with her finger again. “You’re not going to go off half-cocked, doing stupid shit, and get yourself hurt. Do you hear me, Vinnie Gallo?”
“I hear you loud and clear, baby. But I’m not going off half-cocked and doing stupid shit. You need to calm yourself down before you…”
“Calm down?” Her body jerks as she glares at him. “Did you tell me to calm down?”
I cringe. No woman likes to be told to calm down. It’s like the man’s asking for more trouble and anger by uttering those words, but clearly, Vinnie doesn’t quite understand how far he’s just inserted his foot into his big mouth.
“Uh, yeah, sweetheart. You’re going to get yourself all riled up, and it’s not good for the…”
Her finger’s back in his chest, stopping him from spilling the beans about the bundle of joy that’s inside her belly. “Riled up? Please tell me you didn’t just say those words to me.”
His hand moves to her hip. “I’m a grown-ass man, baby. Nothing bad is going to happen. Calm those sweet tits of yours, and give me your lips.”
“He did not just say that shit,” Max says as we all sit there in shock, waiting for the real fireworks to start.
“Sweet tits?” Bianca asks, not giving him her lips.
“Yeah.” His hungry eyes drop to her cleavage. “They’re my tits, and they’re sweet as fuck.”
Bianca scrunches up her face. “Don’t you dare try to sweet talk me after you told me to calm down.”
“What’s wrong with what I said?” he asks.
“You said calm down.”
“Jesus fuck,” he mutters and glances toward the sky. “Can we talk about this inside?”
“They’re totally going to fuck,” Daphne says.
“Banging like bunnies in five minutes,” Delilah agrees.
“Nope. She’s too pissed,” I tell them.
“Baby,” Izzy says, cutting her eyes to me. “She’s going to anger-bang him and use that pussy to get him to do what she wants.”
“Bianca’s too sweet for that,” I tell Izzy. “She wouldn’t use sex as a weapon.”
Izzy laughs loudly. “We all use it as a weapon or withhold it as punish
ment. If you aren’t, you’re doing something wrong.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “We just don’t argue.”
“You will, and when you do, remember…” A smile plays on her lips. “Just fuck him into submission.”
I get what she’s saying, but it’s not how I’m built. I’ve never been one for confrontation. I typically sulk a while, let my anger fester, and eventually move on. Never once have I anger-banged anyone.
“Is that what James does to you?” Max says to Izzy with one perfectly plucked eyebrow raised.
“Oh, fuck off, Max,” Izzy snarls.
“There they go,” Mia says, and we all turn, watching them walk inside as Bianca once again pulls Vinnie by the arm. “I give it ten minutes.”
“Five,” Daphne says.
“Who’s going to win?” I ask.
“They both will.” Izzy smiles. “But Vinnie will not be going with the guys. That much, I know.”
“Neither will Angelo,” I say quickly.
“Then you better get ready to use what God gave you to make that man do what you want,” Izzy tells me. “’Cause if you don’t, he’s going.”
I fidget with the napkin sitting near my glass, preferring not to talk about what God gave me. “I’m sure I can just explain how I feel, and he’ll be fine with not going.”
All eyes at the table turn to me like I’ve just uttered the most insane words ever spoken.
Mia places her hand on mine with a light squeeze. “Oh, honey. Gallo men need a little more coaxing than most. You’ll learn.”
I have no doubt I’ll learn, but I also know my husband. He’ll listen. That’s what marriage is about, isn’t it?
14
Angelo
“Daddy. Daddy.” Brax runs toward me with his arms flailing about. He sputters to a stop near my feet and gazes up at me, squinting when the sun hits his eyes. “Guess what?”
I ruffle his hair and smile at my little man. “Um.” I touch my chin and twist my lips, trying to think like a little kid. His mind goes in so many different directions, I’m not sure where to even begin with this type of question. “You found candy?”
He shakes his head and continues to stare, moving from foot to foot, unable to stand still.
“You…” My voice trails off because fuck if I know. “I give up, bud. Tell me.”
He twists his hands in front of himself and comes up on his tiptoes. “I want to whisper it,” he says softly before uncoiling his fingers and motioning for me to give him my ear.
I lean down, coming to his level, and catch a glimpse of Tilly across the yard with my cousins. “What is it, Brax?”
His tiny fingers touch my ear as he cups his hand near my head. “I have a mommy now.”
My vision blurs immediately before he’s uttered the last word. My lungs seize, and my body stiffens for a brief moment. There’s a dull ache in my chest for Marissa, but it’s quickly replaced by a warmth for my new bride and the son who’s staring up at me like he’s just received the best gift in the world.
I bend down, wrapping my arm under his legs and pull him upward, against my body. “You do, buddy. Are you happy?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even.
“Are you sad, Daddy?” He reaches out, touching the corner of my eye with his fingertip. “You’re crying.”
I pull his hand away and kiss his cheek. “I’m happy, Brax. Very happy.” I smother him with kisses until my tears are forgotten and he’s a giggling mess.
He tries to wiggle free of my hold. “Daddy, stop it!” he squeals and finally manages to slip from my arms.
My mother captures Brax by the shoulders and hauls him against her legs. “Is your daddy misbehaving?” she asks him, quirking an eyebrow at me in a playful way.
“He kissed me too much,” Brax tells her before sticking his tongue out at me, as if my mother was going to scold me for such a thing.
“Why don’t you run along and play while I have a little chat with your daddy?”
I know she’s up to something. Betty Gallo always is.
When Brax stares up at me, I give him a quick chin lift before he strolls away.
My mother crosses her arms over her chest and narrows her eyes. “What were you boys talking about before?”
“Boys?” I laugh. “Ma, we’re grown.”
“You’ll always be my child, Angelo. Don’t test my patience. I know when a scheme is being cooked up. I may be old, son, but I’m neither stupid nor blind.”
Running my fingers through my hair, I glance at the ground, unable to meet her eyes. “Nothing is being cooked up, Ma.”
“Lies,” she mutters and shakes her head. “Look me in the eye and tell me that.”
I lift my head, doing my best not to look like I’m lying, even though the woman knows me better than anyone. “Ma, come on. It’s nothing. Honestly.”
She takes a step closer and lifts her chin. “I know when shit’s going down. So, you better spill the beans before I find out from someone else.”
I groan.
Betty’s a digger. The woman will stop at nothing until she gets to the truth. She’s relentless, especially when it comes to her children.
“It’s really no big deal. Morgan needs our help for something.”
“Something?” She cocks her head. “Explain.”
“It’s an assignment he’s working on.”
“What happened to this being a family week?”
I sigh. “This is a family outing. Instead of going to a bar or playing golf, we’re going to do a little side work.”
I almost believe the lie myself. I find it completely convincing, but based on the steely gaze and pursed lips on my mother’s face, she isn’t convinced.
“I forbid it,” she says like I’m a little boy asking to go on some wild and dangerous adventure.
“Seriously, Ma? I’m grown with two kids.”
“Exactly.” She pokes me in the chest. “You need to be there for those babies and your new bride. The time for dangerous antics was in your past, and they’re not part of your future.”
I throw up my hands. “Fine, Ma. Whatever you say,” I lie.
There’s no way I’m letting my brothers and cousins go into this alone. My ma has no say in what I do anymore, even if she thinks she does.
“Your brothers too.”
“I’ll talk with them.” I smile and place my hand on her shoulder. “I promise.”
God, I hate lying to my mother, but sometimes, it’s necessary. It won’t be the first time we’ve gone against her wishes, and I am pretty sure it won’t be the last either.
“Betty, get your ass over here, girl!” Aunt Mar yells from the table, beckoning my mother with her hand.
“You better go,” I tell her, thankful to my aunt for saving my ass from having to tell more lies to my mother.
Ma eyes me cautiously. “Don’t forget, Angelo. I expect you to lead by example. Your father pulled enough shit in his life, and I don’t need my babies in danger now, too.”
She threw that guilt right out there. She’s good, but even so, I wouldn’t abandon my cousins for anything in the world. Morgan’s assured us there’s no danger. It was pretty cut-and-dried, especially with us all together against a single man.
I stand there, watching her walk away before finally taking a deep breath followed by a long, slow exhale. One bullet dodged. But I’m sure the women are already whispering, and Tilly’s going to be chewing my ear off later about it too.
“She giving you shit?” Joe says at my side, almost scaring the living shit out of me.
“It’s her sole purpose in life.”
He laughs and slaps my back. “It’s her job, man. If you want to bow out…”
“No. I’m going. We’re all going.”
“We wouldn’t think less of you. You should be on your honeymoon and spending the week in bed with your bride, not putting yourself in danger for some stupid shit Morgan wants to do.”
“We’re family. We have each other�
�s backs. Our honeymoon isn’t for a few months anyway.” I turn to look at him when he doesn’t reply, but he’s focused on his eldest daughter, Gigi, as she lies on a lounger on the patio. “It’s hard, isn’t it? Watching your baby grow up.”
I try to picture Tate at that age. Full of rebellion and hormones, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to do it.
“It’s hell on earth. The worst shit ever.” He shakes his head. “This one—” he tips his head her way “—may be the death of me.”
“She cause all that gray?” I smirk, which earns me an elbow in the ribs.
“Just wait until the assholes start coming around, trying to get into your little girl’s pants, man. It’s payback. I know it.”
“I don’t think it works that way.”
He stares at me with an unreadable expression. “Then tell me why I have only girls?”
I shrug. “Weak swimmers?”
“Oh, fuck off. My sole purpose in life is to scare every shitbag that comes near her so much that they almost piss their pants and run away screaming.”
“Is it working with the one she’s talking to now?”
“No,” he grumbles.
“What’s the plan?”
“I have eyes and ears on everything in the city. She’ll soon be in college and will find someone else besides that shitbag she can’t seem to shake.”
“You can’t control everything, Joe.”
“I’ll remind you of that when Tate’s old enough to date. Mark my words, you will do everything in your power to make sure she’s safe from some dipshit that only cares about getting laid.”
He has me there. I’d do anything. I don’t even care if my ass would land in jail if it meant my daughter would be safe.
“But don’t worry. You have a long while until that happens. Tate’s young, which gives you tons of time to plan the ways you’ll torture her boyfriends to make sure they don’t use her.”
“I know who I’m calling for advice.”
He lifts his face toward the sky and sighs. “I hope I live long enough to help you, cousin. I have a feeling Gigi’s just the tip of the iceberg.”