“What are you? My shrink?” I went over to the bar and fixed two drinks.
“Nah. Just a good friend.”
“More like a brother,” I added.
Brian didn’t have any family except his daughter, Fran. He’d never been married. Fran was the result of a surprise pregnancy from a woman he’d dated for only a month. Sadly, Fran’s mom died in a car accident three years ago. Brian was devastated more for Fran than anything. After her death, he’d sent Fran to a boarding school in upstate New York.
“We’ve been joined at the hip since we were nineteen,” he said, sounding as though he was remembering our younger days—lots of girls, fast cars, and our initiation into the world of the mob. “Speaking of those days, where’s Vince?”
I handed him a drink then sank into my seat. “Shacked up with Amber for the day.” My lieutenant was in love with my most popular waitress.
“You mean that strawberry blonde?” he asked.
“Yeah, the two are sickening.”
“If I recall, Amber is hell on wheels. She might see Joy as competition.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t care. So, do you have any news for me? Any scuttlebutt on the streets about missing guns?”
He swirled the ice around in his glass. “Seems no one is talking, but they will. Something as big as stolen guns doesn’t stay hidden for long.”
“Gustavo is striking out as well. Rosario is fuming. She can’t get hold of Arturo, and none of her other enemies want to speak to her.”
“You know I would rather wrestle an alligator than work for her, but she keeps my bank account filled to the brim.”
“She’s loyal to the people who are under her command. Hell, remember she saved my life from a crazy buyer who thought she fucked him on the amount of guns he bought. The man strung me up by my ankles, naked, and stuck me in a meat locker until she came to my rescue.”
“I remember that.” He snapped his fingers. “It was your first job with her, but wasn’t that buyer operating on orders from Arturo Rodriguez?”
I gave him a nod. “Which is why I believe Arturo is behind the stolen guns. He’s been trying to take Rosario out since she mowed her way into the Boston market four years ago.”
“And she hasn’t been in the States since,” Brian added. “She stays protected in Colombia. Maybe stealing her stash is a way to force her to come to Boston.”
“Whatever the reason, the end result won’t be pretty,” I said, needing to change the subject because my ulcer was acting up the more we talked about Rosario, Arturo, and the impending doom we were about to face. “What brings you by?”
He dropped his booted feet to the floor, straightening. “Can’t I come see my friend?”
I chuckled. “Sure, but it’s Sunday, and you’re usually in front of the TV, watching the Pats.”
“I guess you know me well too.” His sarcasm rang through. “I need a favor. I could’ve called, but I wanted to test out my new Hummer. Anyway, Fran has a father-daughter dance in December at her boarding school. You think you can give me Grace’s number? I thought Grace could take her dress shopping. Fran will be home for Thanksgiving. I’m sure my daughter doesn’t want my big ass watching her try on dresses. Hell, I don’t even know anything about dresses.”
“I’m sure Grace will oblige, but back up. You’re going to a school dance?”
He stuck out his middle finger. “You wait. If you have a daughter, you’ll want to do anything for her.”
“If I ever have kids, I hope they’re all boys. A daughter would make me insane, trying to protect her from assholes like us. Look at how crazy I am in safeguarding my sister.”
He chuckled. “Believe me, I’m not all there when Fran is with me. I want to tear out throats when boys look at her.”
I leaned my elbows on my knees, cupping my glass. “By the way, do you need dancing lessons? Dillon is hosting a charity gala in December. Not sure of the date yet, but if it works out, you and Fran can practice.”
He lifted a shoulder. “Maybe. Depends on the date.”
Another idea came to mind. “If Fran is going to be home for Thanksgiving, why don’t you and Fran join us at Denim’s place?”
His green eyes widened. “You’re going to a holiday shindig with the Harts? That dinner last week with them must’ve gone well or your brain has misfired.”
I shuddered, recalling the initial tension, hating myself for putting my family in danger. “My brothers are ready to fight alongside me. Even Grace.”
