by Chelle Bliss
“Would you really want to live here?” she asks in the silence.
“Would you?”
I couldn’t care less where I live. All I need is my family. You could throw me in the middle of fucking nowhere, and I’d be fine as long as my wife and kids were there with me.
“I miss the South,” she says quietly, turning her head so her lips are at my neck.
“If you want the South, you get the South.”
“But there’s the bar, and the bakery has really taken off.”
“We can sell them both, start something new here, something together if you want.”
“It’s a big decision.”
I tighten my hold on her back, brushing my lips against her shoulder. “Whatever you want to do, I want to do. I don’t care about anything else except for being with you, babe.”
She leans back, taking her shoulder from my lips. “You think anyone else would move here?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. They were talking about it at Joe’s. No one gave a hard no. They’re probably all in their rooms, talking about it now like we are.”
“The kids would love it here,” she sighs. “It’s just so much to think about. Moving an entire family is a big undertaking and an even bigger risk.”
“Sweetheart, we have plenty of money. We could go years without having a job and still live pretty damn well. We can hire movers, sell the businesses, and get out of dodge before shit gets even worse.”
The shit I’m referring to is the violence in the city. Back in the day, it used to be the mafia shooting it out on the streets of Chicago. But now, it’s all about the gangs. There are so many innocent bystanders being killed, it makes my heart ache. The last thing I want is my kids growing up in an area where it’s too dangerous for them to play outside and just be fucking kids.
“We’ll see what everyone thinks tomorrow. I have a feeling after the shitty winter we just had, they’re more than ready to blow town. I don’t see much downside to living here.”
“There’re hurricanes.” She cringes. “They can be awful too. Nothing quite as scary as those winds for hours upon hours.”
“At least you see them coming, unlike a stray bullet from some asshat’s gun.”
“You have a point.”
“We don’t need to make a decision tonight. Let’s think about it and what we want for our future. We decide as a family, and either way shit works out, I’m good as long as I’ve got you and my babies with me.”
She smiles when I say that.
“Now, I want to hold my woman, skin on skin, and go to sleep.”
“Sweetheart.” She touches my cheek. “I can’t sleep naked in a hotel, and you know the baby’s going to wake up too. So, you can have some leg-on-leg action and maybe an arm, but nothing else.”
“I hate hotels,” I grumble under my breath.
She untangles herself from my body and heads toward the suitcase, pulling out a long T-shirt and panties. “It’s just for a week. You’ll survive.”
I throw myself onto the bed and put my arm under my head, letting my gaze travel up those long, muscular legs. “You’re looking fine in my shirt, babe.”
She curls into my side, her head on my shoulder and hand on my chest. “Don’t get any ideas, mister.”
I run my fingers down her arm that’s resting on my chest. “Sleep, sweetheart. I wasn’t getting any ideas, just complimenting my woman and knowing I’m the luckiest son of a bitch in the world.”
She tips her head and smiles. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I tip my head downward and kiss her lips. “Now, sleep.”
She’s out a few minutes later, almost like a narcoleptic since the baby arrived. She’s exhausted, trying to run the bakery, be mom of the year, and settle into a new routine that revolves around three kids instead of two.
I think a move south where the living is slow and easy is just what we need. I know my girl would thrive here. She’d kick up her feet, relax a little, and maybe enjoy life a little more.
24
Tilly
“What are you doing?” I ask Izzy when I find her near the corner of the house, staring down the driveway.
She glances at me for a moment with a scowl before returning her attention to the front of the house. “Watching this clusterfuck finally explode.”
I lean into her, sneaking a peek, and see Gigi and who I assume is Keith, although I’ve never met him, standing in the driveway. From the way her arms are flying and the look on his face, I don’t think the words they’re exchanging are pretty.
Keith is cute. He has the surfer boy look nailed, with the floppy hair covering his eyes, tanned skin, and swimmer’s build. Although he’s handsome, from what I know about him, he sounds like a complete asshole.
“She’s finally doing it,” Izzy whispers. She hasn’t moved. Her eyes are glued to the couple. “She’s finally kicking that loser to the curb.”
My eyes widen, and my mouth hangs open. “But it’s her graduation party. That’s so sad.”
I couldn’t imagine losing my boyfriend on the day I graduated, celebrating and partying with my family and friends.
“Tilly, it’s not sad,” she whispers.
“Maybe we should give them privacy,” I whisper back.
“Shush. I can’t hear.”
I guess there’s no such thing as privacy on this side of the family, which is really no different from Angelo’s family. Everybody is in each other’s business. Secrets are almost nonexistent, and if you dare to utter something you don’t want shared, you do it inside your house and not at a family dinner or the bar where the likelihood of being overheard is high.
Gigi steps forward, getting right in Keith’s face. “I fucking saw you. Don’t lie to me!” she screams.
“You saw nothing!” he yells back as his eyes narrow.
“Oh shit,” Izzy says, and my breathing falters.
This is some heavy shit for two kids. I don’t care if they’re eighteen and just graduated from high school, they’re still kids with so much to learn and experience.
“I can’t watch,” I whisper and move to walk away, but Izzy grabs my wrist and holds me there.
“Stay,” she tells me and grips my wrist tight. “She may need backup.”
“Maybe we should get her daddy.”
“No. No men allowed.”
Gigi clenches her hands at her sides. “I’m done, Keith. We’re over. We were planning to be over by now anyway. Let’s just end it tonight. The last person I want in my life right now is someone who’s a liar and a cheat.”
“I’m not a fucking liar or a cheat,” he barks.
“They sure have some mouths on them,” I whisper, which earns me the evil eye from Izzy.
When Keith reaches for her arm, Gigi twists, escaping his hold. Her entire body is moving as her hand rears back, and she lunges forward, smacking him clear across the face. His head snaps to the side, and he’s slow to look at her again, but when he does, there’s nothing but hatred and anger.
“You’re a worthless bitch, Gigi. All high and mighty with your V-card still intact. What the fuck was I supposed to do? Wait for you? I’m a fucking man, and I have needs.”
My eyes widen. “Oh lord.”
“No shit,” Izzy whispers and starts to move toward them, but now it’s my turn to hold her back.
“Don’t go. Wait. Shouldn’t we let her handle it?”
Izzy shakes her head. “You’re right. She’s really a badass chick. She knows how to fight and fend off douchebags like him.”
“I’m so glad I didn’t sleep with you, Keith. I hope you’re happy with Amber. You don’t deserve my pussy. Someday, you’ll look back and know you missed out on the greatest thing ever because you were a self-absorbed, controlling asshole.”
Keith laughs and grabs his stomach. “My only regret is not dumping your prude ass sooner.”
“What’s going on?” Suzy asks, sneaking up behind us.
We both j
ump.
“Be quiet,” Izzy whispers. “She’s dumping Keith.”
“Finally,” Suzy mutters. “I hate that prick.”
Keith smirks. “I mean, I still banged all the chicks I wanted, but it would’ve been easier without your lame ass clinging on me twenty-four seven.”
Gigi touches her chest and moves toward him, but he moves away. “I was the clinger?” She pauses. “You’re shitting me, right?” Her voice is louder now, and her anger’s back. “Say that again, Keith. I dare you!”
Suzy grabs my arm and is holding so tight, I know I’m going to have a bruise tomorrow. “Oh God,” she whispers.
Keith narrows his eyes, and his top lip curls. “You were a clingy bitch.”
Right before my eyes, Gigi turns into the Karate Kid, kicking the kid right in the balls like she’s done it a hundred times. He goes down like a sack of potatoes, holding his crotch and rolling on the ground, howling.
“I hope you enjoy fucking Amber tonight with a broken dick, motherfucker,” she hisses as she stands over his body.
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear any of this,” Suzy says, and she’s shuffling her feet like she doesn’t know which way to move.
I know everyone talks about Izzy and how she’s South Side through and through, but I think Gigi could give her a run for her money. The girl is fearless and had no problem taking down a man larger than her.
“I taught her well,” Izzy says with a smile on her face. “Run.” She shoos us as Gigi starts to move away from Keith, leaving him on the ground flailing around like an idiot.
He sounds like a wounded animal the way he’s carrying on. I think the kick she got in will make it damn near impossible for that boy to get any action from Amber or anyone for a long, long time.
The three of us walk quickly across the backyard, making our way to the buffet table, pretending to be interested in the food.
“Hey,” Gigi says, but there’s no anger in her voice. “I’m starving.” She plucks a tiny quiche off the table and shoves it into her mouth. “This is so good,” she moans, closing her eyes.
I’m gawking at her; I can’t help myself. I just saw this little girl take down a man, and now she’s eating mini quiches and acting like nothing happened.
“Is something on my face?” she asks with her mouth full, staring at the three of us.
“No. Why, baby?” Suzy asks.
“You’re all looking at me funny.”
Izzy grabs a plate, trying to keep her eyes off Gigi, but she’s smiling. “We’re just so happy. Today was such a big day for you.”
“Bigger than you know,” Gigi says as she grabs more quiches, placing them in the palm of the same hand that slapped Keith right across his face.
That little bastard deserved everything she gave him. He deserved worse, actually. If Joe would’ve heard the names that boy called his daughter, Keith wouldn’t still be breathing.
Gigi stares at her mother. “Ma, you’re freaking me out.”
Suzy grabs her daughter and hugs her tight. “I’m just so proud of you, Gigi. So, so proud.”
Gigi hugs her back with one arm because her other hand still has the quiches. “It’s only high school graduation, Ma. It’s not that big of a deal. It’s not like I cured cancer or anything.”
Suzy’s eyes glisten in the sunlight as she pulls away. “I know.” Her face contorts into a painful smile as she tries to hold back the tears.
“Let’s go check out the dessert table, kid,” Izzy says and starts to usher Gigi away. “Your mother needs some time to compose herself.”
“She’s always a little crazy, Auntie.” Gigi laughs and pops another quiche into her mouth.
“Was I that bad?” Suzy asks me.
I shrug. “No. You weren’t bad. I would’ve been worse.” I haven’t moved or spoken much, still shell-shocked from everything that happened.
“Mommy. Mommy.” Tate runs across the yard, holding a cupcake in each hand. “They have cupcakes here.” She smiles, holding them up to show me.
“Don’t eat too many, baby, or you’ll get a tummy ache,” I tell her.
She shakes her head. “I promise,” she lies.
This girl is like a bottomless pit, and I know no matter what she says, the food’s going to win out over her will.
“I’m going to show Daddy.” And like that, she’s off to the other side of the yard.
“Enjoy this age,” Suzy tells me, blotting the tears away from her eyes. “Soon she’ll be kicking her own Keith in the balls.”
I stare at her for a moment before bursting into laughter. I can see it. One hundred percent can I see that cupcake-loving little girl kneeing some asshole right in his crotch for treating her badly.
Little girls learn how they’re supposed to be loved from their father. With the way Angelo is with Tate, I have no doubt she’ll know her worth and won’t put up with any man’s shit, especially a low-life loser life Keith.
“As long as she learns to fight like Gigi, I think everything will turn out just fine,” I tell Suzy and interlock our arms. “I think we could both use a glass of wine.” I smile.
She laughs. “Today is a day to celebrate. My little girl is single and finished with high school.”
“Now it’s time for college.”
Suzy stops walking. “Oh God, I don’t even want to think of her with college boys.”
“Sweetheart, I think she can handle herself just fine. She had all these men—” I wave my other hand around the yard “—showing her how to protect herself, and she has a good head on her shoulders. I think she’ll do just fine at college.”
Suzy nods and finally takes a step. “You’re right. My girl can really kick some butt, huh?”
“She’s a Gallo.” I smile.
That means something. It means more than I ever knew when I first started dating Angelo. They aren’t just a family. They’re a way of being.
Proud.
Strong.
Defiant.
Dominant.
Fearless.
Loyal.
I am a part of something greater than I have ever been in my entire life.
Epilogue – Angelo
Lucio leans back and looks around the bar. “Do you think we should move?” he asks.
My eyes follow his, soaking in everything we’ve built together. Sure, my parents opened the bar, but since we’ve taken it over, the place has thrived. I no longer think of Hook & Hustle as theirs, because now, it’s ours. “I don’t know what the right answer is, Luc.”
Daphne takes a sip of her whiskey before she lets out a long, exasperated sigh. “Chicago is in my blood. This is home to me. If you guys want to head south, you can, but I’m not ready to give up the dirt and grit of the city yet. Plus, they have shit pizza down there and no good bakeries. There’s no Chinatown, no Greektown, and did I mention the pizza is shit?”
“Twice.” I smile.
“I still have two years on my contract.” Vinnie shrugs. “And Bianca’s family is here. I can’t ask her to leave them so I can be warm. And her father would have my balls if I took away his princess and our baby girl. I can’t do that to the man.”
Lucio refills everyone’s glasses. “True, but we could buy a kick-ass vacation house down there. We could use more time off, especially with the kids. With Ma and Pop doing the snowbird shit, we have plenty of reasons to go there in the winter and escape the snow.”
“That’s an idea I can get behind,” Daphne says. “I can’t give this up.” She looks around before lifting the glass to her lips.
“This? The bar?” I ask, staring at my beautiful sister.
“This,” she says as she waves her hands in front of her, toward us, and almost spilling her drink. “Us.”
I smile because I couldn’t imagine not having this either. Hook & Hustle isn’t just a bar or our business; it’s about family and what we built together. There’s not a day that goes by when I don’t see my brothers and sister. Hell, we grew up i
n this place. It’s just as much our home as walking through the front door of our parents’ place upstairs.
“I want our kids to know what this feels like too. It’s important that they’re close, more like siblings than cousins.”
“They already are,” Daphne says. “And I know the weather here sucks and the city isn’t the safest place, but it’s home and will always be home.”
Tilly comes through the front door and heads through the crowd to our table. “I’m sorry I’m late,” she says and leans down to kiss my cheek.
“Babe,” I say, grabbing her wrist before she has a chance to sit. “How about a real kiss?”
She rolls her eyes but gives me what I’ve been waiting hours to get. “Where’s everybody else?” she asks as she shrugs off her coat.
“They’re coming. The roads are a mess, so they’re stuck in traffic.”
“There’re at least eight inches covering the sidewalk, and no one was prepared for something this big.”
“That’s what she said,” Lucio adds with a laugh.
“You’re an idiot, and anyway—” Daphne smirks “—eight inches isn’t all that impressive.”
His eyes darken. “I don’t want to hear about your sex life, Daphne.”
“We’re here.” Bianca appears beside our table with Delilah. “Shit is crazy out there.”
Delilah and Bianca both give their men kisses before sitting down with us. The only person missing is Leo, but he’s at the hotel, unable to get away with the freak spring blizzard.
“Maybe I should go check on the kids,” Delilah says almost before she has her coat off.
“They’re fine, baby. Christine is watching them, and they’re playing.”
Since our parents are out of town until spring, we’ve hired a babysitter—who’s more like a nanny—to take care of the kids upstairs while we work. It allows us to keep them close and together while we work.