Chapter One
Changes
Morgan
“All right, Ma.” While digging through the pile of unopened mail, I found the invitation I’d ignored.
“You need to see your family. It’ll do you good to be around the Gallo side.”
Fran DeLuca had been on my back since the day I’d come home from the army. I loved the hell out of the woman, but she could be a major pain in my ass.
“Why?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. They were her side and, therefore, superior.
“They have their lives together. Sal knew how to raise boys.”
My jaw tightened. “Are you saying I’m not a good man, Ma?”
“Morgan, you know that’s not what I meant.” She sighed. “You need to get out of this city for a little while and clear your head. Plus,” she added, drawing out the S, “I need you to accompany me on the trip. You know I hate traveling alone. The suitcase is always too heavy for me to lift, and I get lost easily.”
I closed my eyes and exhaled. “Fine, Ma. I’ll take you to Izzy’s wedding. But I won’t be happy about it.”
“Thank you, baby. I’ll call now and tell your aunt Maria to expect us. I want to get there a couple of days early. I’ll book the airfare. You just show up sober enough to be allowed on the plane, Morgan. Understand?”
“Ma, I’m not a drunk, for Christ’s sake.” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“I love you,” she said as she disconnected the call.
She showed up at my place, without calling, and found me enjoying a couple of drinks and assumed I’m a drunk.
Fan-fucking-tastic.
I hadn’t seen the Gallos in ages. Izzy had been a gawky teenager with a sharp tongue, and the boys…they were Gallo through and through. They were tough, rough, and always looking for an angle.
I wouldn’t say that I was very different from them, but the bloodline had been watered down with the addition of my father’s side. They were the better half of the family tree.
At least I could spend a couple of days in the sunshine instead of freezing my balls off in Chicago. My mother would have my full attention and use the time to chew my ear off about why didn’t I find a good woman to settle down with already—it was the same conversation we’d had almost every day for the last month.
Before I could even get up from the table, my phone rang again.
“What now, Ma?” I barked as I pushed the chair back.
“I spoke to your aunt and everything is set. You’re going to stay with Joe while we’re there, and I’ll stay with Mar and Sal.”
“Do I get a choice in this?” I stood, wandering over to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city.
“Nope. Everyone else is full. Joey will be happy to have you.”
“I’m going to get a hotel.”
I hated staying with people, especially when I hadn’t seen that person in ten years. I knew them as well as I knew my father, and he walked out of our lives the day I graduated from high school.
“No, you’re not. That would be such a slap in the face. You’ll stay with Joe and Suzy.”
“We’ll talk about it later. I have shit to do.”
“Start packing, Morgan. I’ll book our tickets for the day after tomorrow.”Click.
Ma was the queen of hanging up before I could say anything more.
