Love: Men of Inked #5 Read online

  “What?” Gigi shrugs and continues to type on her phone without making eye contact. “I’m the one who has to listen to them. It’s gross. They’re too old for all that nonsense.”

  “Too old?” Fran asks as she heads toward Gigi. “Baby girl, you have a lot to learn about life. When you love someone, it doesn’t matter how old you are.”

  “Uh, yeah, Aunt Fran. At some point, you have to be too old for sex.”

  Fran touches Gigi’s head, running her fingers through her long brown hair as she stands on the backside of the couch. “Oh, sweetie, I know you think you know everything, but you’re so wrong, it’s not even funny.”

  “Can we not talk about sex? It’s bad enough I have to hear it at home, I don’t want to listen to my aunts and grandma discuss it too.”

  Fran plucks Gigi’s phone from her hands. “Who’s Keith?”

  Gigi climbs over the back and snatches the phone away from Fran. “That’s private.”

  Fran laughs. “Until you no longer live under your parents’ roof, you have no privacy.”

  Gigi collapses back into the couch, clutching her phone in one hand like it’s her lifeline. She’s a typical bratty teenager. I swear they’re God’s revenge on parents for all the awful things they’ve done in their lives.

  “You’re going away to college next fall, aren’t you?” Fran asks.

  “Yep. I can’t wait to get to FSU.”

  Maria goes back to tossing ingredients into a bowl, Fran leans against the couch, looking like she’s about to give Gigi the business, and I turn my attention back to the women at my side.

  Izzy’s holding Suzy’s hand. “She’s just a teenager. They’re all assholes, babe. Don’t let her shitty attitude get you down.”

  “She was always such a sweet thing.”

  “Then hormones got involved,” Izzy reminds Suzy with a pat to her hand. “And boys. Lord, the boys. How’s Joe handling it?”

  “Well.” Suzy gives Izzy a tight smile. “He’s not in jail yet.”

  “The real shit hasn’t started to hit the fan, then,” Izzy says.

  Suzy looks horrified. “What’s that mean?”

  “Cock, babe. Every boy has one, and they’re looking for a place to put it.”

  Suzy’s smile vanishes as she clutches her chest. “I can’t think about that. Keith is her first real boyfriend, and I don’t think they’re anywhere near having sex.”

  Max turns to Suzy, leaning backward like she’s just heard the craziest thing ever. “Boys are always ready for sex. If you don’t think that’s his goal, you’re wrong. Get your head out of your ass and get that little girl on birth control.”

  “She’s not even eighteen.”

  “And?” Max asks.

  “She’s just so young,” Suzy says, glancing over at her daughter.

  Fran’s still talking Gigi’s ear off, and neither one of them is paying any attention to what’s being discussed.

  “As a doctor, your friend, and her aunt,” Mia says, rubbing her hands together and staring down the island at Suzy. “You need to talk to her about sex, make sure she understands the importance of condoms and to always use them, and get her on the pill. It’s better she’s protected and safe when the time comes.”

  “And it will come,” Izzy adds.

  “I guess I should have bail money ready too. Because Joe will…” Suzy clutches her face in her hands and groans. “Oh, sweet baby Jesus.”

  “Lord help any boy who wants to date one of our daughters. He’ll have a daddy and four very angry uncles after him.” Max laughs. “I know Anthony won’t put up with any bullshit.”

  In my head, I try to think of Tate as a teenager, all raging hormones and sass. Angelo would lose his ever-loving mind. She’s his little girl, and she has him wrapped around her little finger. I can’t imagine what he will do the first time a boy shows up at our doorstep to take Tate out on a date.

  I’m thankful we’re at least a decade away from that happening. And I’m pretty sure I’m going to be the one tasked with having the birds and the bees talk with her because no girl wants to discuss sex with her father… ever.

  12

  Angelo

  “I’m proud of the man you’ve become.” Uncle Sal grips my shoulder as we stand away from the patio and the rest of the family.

  “Thanks, Uncle Sal. That’s a big deal coming from you.”

  Unlike my father, Uncle Sal has always been a family man. He dedicated his life to raising his kids right and putting them on a path to being good human beings.

  My mother did that for our family. If she hadn’t been in the picture and we’d been left with my father raising us, I don’t know what would’ve happened.

  Pops was too deep into the mob and knew no other life. Most likely, we would’ve been pulled in too eventually and ended up in jail right alongside him.

  “I don’t know everything you’ve been through with losing Marissa and being a single parent, but to see you happy and thriving, son, it gives me no greater joy.”

  The three years of my life without Marissa felt like they passed in slow motion. A nonstop loop of unending sadness. The only saving grace to propel me through each day was Brax and Tate. Without them, I’m not sure I’d be standing here today. Not that I would’ve taken my life, but a broken heart is a real thing. Mine was beyond broken, and I’m pretty sure my body would’ve succumbed to the misery.

  “How are you doing, Uncle?” I ask, seeing a few more deep lines near his eyes since the last time I saw him.

  He and my father seem to be aging at a ridiculously slow rate. It’s like they have superhuman genes that move at a snail’s pace. They both have gray splashes in their hair but haven’t turned fully. The lines near their eyes have grown deeper over the years, but the rest of their faces have remained wrinkle-free.

  “Life couldn’t be better, kid.” The corner of his mouth curves up. “My kids are grown, so many grandkids I can barely keep count, and I have Maria by my side. What more can a man ask for?”

  I shake my head. “Nothing.”

  I try to picture my life in thirty years when Brax and Tate have children of their own, but it’s hard for me to imagine them any older than they are now.

  My heart aches at the thought of them someday leaving me and moving on with their lives. I wonder if every parent feels that way or if I’m just more attached to my children because of the loss we’ve endured.

  “Enjoy the time you have with them now.” His eyes move to Brax and Tate as they chase each other through the backyard. “They grow up too fast.”

  “I can’t imagine them not being around every day.”

  Uncle Sal snorts. “By the time the hormones kick in, you’ll be counting the days until they leave for college. Trust me.” He squeezes my shoulder. “I think it’s the big man’s plan to make the transition less painful for us. Make the teenagers as moody and difficult as possible so we’re thankful when the big day comes.”

  “I’m not looking forward to those years,” I mutter, bringing my gaze back to my two rambunctious kids.

  “No one does.”

  Joe walks in our direction, coming to stand next to me. He tips his head, taking a long, slow slug of his beer. He’s quiet. Nothing new for him. He’s a man of very few words, just like me.

  “What’s wrong, son?” Uncle Sal asks, filling the silence.

  “Fuckin’ Gigi,” Joe mumbles against the rim of the bottle. “She’s going to be the death of me.”

  Uncle Sal barks out a laugh. “See?” He looks at me and then to Joe. “Teenagers.”

  Joe lets out a long sigh. “Worst kind of humans in the world.”

  The smile doesn’t leave Uncle Sal’s face. “That boy still being a dipshit?” He raises an eyebrow, staring at his son.

  Joe’s hand tightens around the bottle until his knuckles turn white. “That boy tests my patience, and if he doesn’t let up, I’m going to end up in jail.”

  “She’ll be graduating soon, heading o
ff to college, and forget all about him,” his father tells him.

  “The more I hate this punk, the more she likes him,” Joe grumbles before taking another sip.

  “That’s how it works, son. If you really want him to go away, bring him into the fold. Tell her how much you’ve grown to like him, and she’ll dump his ass so fast.” Uncle Sal laughs softly. “Always worked with Izzy.”

  My head spins, thinking about Tate dating. Someday, I’ll have to watch my daughter walk out the door to go on her first date and know exactly what’s on that boy’s mind. The very thought of her being alone with a boy who wants nothing more than to get in her pants sends a chill down my spine.

  “Kill ’em with kindness?” Joe asks with a tight smile.

  “’Cause you can’t kill them any other way,” I say, letting out a pained laugh.

  “Just you wait, cousin. You think shit gets easier, but the problems, along with the tantrums, amplify as they grow up.”

  I nod. “I can imagine.”

  Joe runs a hand across his forehead, staring across the yard at his daughter, who’s busy on her phone. “I found a G-string in her laundry the other day.”

  I raise my eyebrows, and Uncle Sal’s face hardens. Neither of us was expecting those words to come out of Joe’s mouth.

  “What did you do?” Uncle Sal asks.

  “Threw that shit out,” Joe growls.

  Uncle Sal ticks his head toward his granddaughter. “She know?”

  Joe shrugs. “Don’t give two shits if she does, but she hasn’t said anything yet. My kid doesn’t need a G-string.”

  “She’s going to give you a run for your money, son. Just prepare for things to get worse before they get better.”

  Joe mutters under his breath, lifting the beer to his lips and staring at his daughter with hard eyes.

  “Thank God I have boys,” Izzy says from behind us, and we all jump at the sound of her voice. “I’d rather them be the predator than the prey.”

  Joe turns his hard glare on his sister. “You’re not helping, Izzy.”

  She shrugs. “Want me to talk to her?”

  “We’ve had the sex talk.” Joe tips his head back, searching the clouds for something, but he doesn’t elaborate.

  “I’m sure it was super informative.” Her voice oozes judgment. “You want me to have the real talk with her?”

  “The real talk?” I ask, busying myself with the beer in my hand as I wait for her to explain.

  “Kids get general sex education in school. She probably knew everything you already told her. But I’ll tell her the real shit. The stuff to watch out for. Just like that asshole boyfriend of hers. She needs to walk away from that one. He’s a world-class clinger, and he creeps me the fuck out.”

  A smile slides across Joe’s face. “You get her to dump him, and I’ll owe you anything you want.”

  “Anything?” She raises an eyebrow.

  “Anything.”

  “I’ll make it happen.” She smirks and runs her hand along her brother’s back. “Don’t worry. I’ll tell her how things are supposed to be, and that doesn’t include fuckers like him.”

  “Have at it,” Joe tells her, tipping his head toward Gigi. “She could use a little nudge.”

  “Just think of the losers I dated when I was her age.” Izzy laughs. “We all had some real winners in high school.” She shifts her eyes to me. “Except Angelo. He married his high school sweetheart.”

  My stomach knots for a second at the mention of Marissa, but the feeling fades as Tilly walks into my eyeline. “I got lucky to have two great loves.”

  “She’ll find her way,” Izzy tells Joe, still trying to soothe the anger that’s simmering just underneath his cool, calm exterior. “I’ll make sure of it.”

  After those words, Izzy walks across the yard and sits in the grass next to Gigi. They exchange a few words before they both tip their heads back and laugh.

  I glance around the yard, filled with cousins and so many family members that life finally feels right again. After so much time of not knowing where I fit in or if anything would feel normal again, I finally feel whole.

  Kids are everywhere, running, playing, chatting like we did when we were young. There’s so much joy and happiness in this small patch of land, my heart can’t help but feel content.

  “Are you going to have more?” Joe asks.

  I turn to face him, wondering who or what he’s referring to. His eyes are on me.

  “Anymore what?” I ask.

  “Kids. Are you and Tilly going to have more?”

  “Whatever she wants.”

  Joe nudges me with his shoulder. “Smart answer.” He laughs.

  “Just have a boy,” Joe says flatly. “Trust me.”

  “Says the man who only has girls,” I tease.

  “Exactly.” He lets out a low, deep groan.

  “Boys. Boys,” a voice calls out from the farthest table, and our attention follows.

  Joe glances at me. “Is she talking to us?”

  She is Aunt Fran. She’s waving her hands frantically, yelling in our direction with her eyes on us. “Come over here.”

  Uncle Sal sighs. “She’s talking to us.”

  We walk together, like a tiny army toward Aunt Fran, who’s holding her half-empty wineglass in her hand while sitting in her husband’s lap. His face is nuzzled into her neck, and she giggles like a teenager when he whispers something in her ear.

  She motions toward the empty seats, squirming against her husband’s hold. “Stop being antisocial and visit with me.”

  Joe sits first, eyeing Bear. “Seriously, man. Can’t you keep your hands off her for a day?”

  Bear smirks against her skin. “City, come on. You’ve known me forever. Have I ever been like this with anyone?”

  Joe stares at him, not speaking for a moment. “It’s just…”

  Bear raises his eyebrow. “Gross?”

  Joe laughs. “Well yeah, man. She’s my aunt, and you’re pawing her in front of everybody.”

  “I’m loving my wife. I think it’s a good example for the kids to see what love looks like.”

  Joe’s laughter dies. “I don’t want any of my girls sitting like that with a boy.”

  Bear shakes his head and laughs. “You were their age once. What were you doing?”

  Joe squeezes his eyes shut. “Change the subject.”

  Morgan grabs a seat next to Fran and Bear, grimacing as he stares at the way they’re carrying on. “I got a lead on a guy.”

  “What guy?” I ask, because talking about anything is better than watching my aunt and her guy make out.

  “Some asshole who’s skipped bail and been running around the country for a year. I’ve heard whispers he’s here, hiding out somewhere.”

  “It’s a family week,” Uncle Sal tells him.

  “He’s worth one hundred grand, Uncle.”

  Uncle Sal rubs the tiny lines across his forehead. “Don’t you have enough money?”

  I watch their exchange and kick back with my beer, loving having everyone here.

  “I do, but there’s nothing like hauling in a bad guy,” Morgan says with a satisfying smile.

  “What did he do?” Joe asks.

  “Major white-collar criminal. His money and connections have kept him hidden for far too long.”

  “So, he’s not dangerous?” Joe asks with curiosity.

  Morgan shakes his head. “He hasn’t been in the past, but” —he rubs his hands together slowly— “like any caged animal, he might fight back.”

  “Why you guys do dumb shit and chase after these criminals, I’ll never understand,” Fran says.

  “It’s a man thing, baby.” Bear grips her tighter, and she melts into him. “When and where?”

  “I’ll call in a few favors and lock down a time. You in?” Morgan asks Bear.

  “Fuck yeah. How about you two?” Bear turns his attention to Joe and me.

  “Suzy would have my balls.”

&nb
sp; “I knew they weren’t yours anymore,” Bear teases, throwing Joe a wink and getting a glare in return.

  “It’s fine.” Morgan waves his hand. “I’ll ask some guys from the old neighborhood to help.”

  “Like fuck, you will,” I say without thinking. “I’ll help, and I’m sure my brothers will too.”

  “Fine,” Joe groans. “We’re all in, but shit better not go sideways.”

  Morgan smirks. “Has it ever?”

  13

  Tilly

  “I wonder what the guys are talking about?” Suzy stares across the backyard to where the men are huddled together.

  “Whatever it is, it looks intense.” Izzy leans forward and squints in their direction. “Want me to find out?”

  “Leave them be,” Race replies. “It’s probably about the bounty Morgan’s after.”

  “Bounty?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.

  Izzy sighs. “They can’t take a vacation, can they? It’s supposed to be about the family, and there they are.” She waves her hands in their direction. “Cooking up something that’ll no doubt piss us off.”

  “Boys will be boys,” Mia says as she toys with the base of her wineglass. “They can’t help but find trouble.”

  “Do you mean bounty as in…” My voice trails off because I thought shit like that was made up for television or movies. I didn’t think people, aside from cops, actually chased down criminals and were rewarded with money.

  Izzy nods. “Yep. Morgan’s been doing it for years, and now he’s pulled the guys from ALFA into the bounty hunter business. They sure as fuck don’t need the cash. They do it for the pure enjoyment of catching the bad guy.”

  “It’s testosterone. Makes them do dumb shit from the time they realize what their dick is really for.” Mia shakes her head as she lifts her wineglass. “They don’t stop doing dumb shit until they take their last breath either.”

  “I don’t know how you deal with it,” Delilah says as she picks at a small piece of cheese. “I couldn’t imagine Lucio putting himself in dangerous situations every day.”

  Izzy laughs softly. “Doll, he works at a bar on the South Side. He’s in a dangerous situation every day.”