My father finally drops the gun to his side. “How could you two be so stupid?”
This is progress.
“Papa, love isn’t always rational.” Leo grips my hand tightly as I speak. “We never meant for any of this to happen.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Gallo. I came here to talk to you man-to-man about what happened and ask for your blessing.”
“I could’ve killed you.” My father drags his free hand down his face and groans.
“Put the gun away, Papa.” I walk toward him slowly. Leo reaches for me, trying to stop me, but I push his hand aside. “Let’s talk about this.”
Angelo stalks across the bar, locking the front door as my father sets the gun down on the table next to him. “I can’t believe this shit,” Angelo hisses.
I don’t know if he’s referring to my father pulling a weapon in our place of business or that I got knocked up by Leo.
“How stupid can you be to pull a gun on someone in our bar?” Angelo shakes his head and answers my question like he’s inside my head.
“I wasn’t thinking.” Papa grimaces.
Leo walks up behind me and places his hands on my shoulders, squeezing. “You should go,” he tells me, like I’m going to listen.
“I’m staying,” I announce. I can’t trust my father and Leo alone. And not so soon after my father was willing to put a bullet in him.
Leo’s grip tightens. “We’ll be fine,bella. Let me talk to your father, man-to-man.”
I peer over my shoulder at Leo. “I don’t trust either of you alone.”
“I’ll stay,” Angelo says. “I’ll make sure nothing happens.”
“Angelo.” Leo dips his head at my brother, his old friend from when they were little.
“Leo.” Angelo almost cracks a smile.
Leo turns to me and smiles softly. “Go be with your mother and let the men figure things out.”
Hello, 1950s.“You can’t be serious? Are you really this much of a chauvinist?”
“No, Daphne. I’m not.” He shakes his head and rests his forehead against mine. “This is about respect. Respect for your family and your father. I need to talk with him and explain. It’s the only way shit will work out for us.”
I tip my head up so our lips are almost touching and stare into his eyes. “Okay, but tread lightly.”
Even with Angelo as a middleman, things are bound to get heated. My father has never been known for his reasonable side and has always been quick to fly off the handle. I fear that leaving Leo alone with him is a recipe for disaster.
Leo kisses me softly, not lingering too long because my family’s watching.
As I back away, I grab the gun off the table. “I’m taking this with me. Just in case.”
Surprisingly, my father doesn’t argue as I re-engage the safety and make my way toward the staircase. I look over my shoulder, staring at the three of them, hoping they can find a way to make peace.
When I turn around, my mother’s sitting halfway up the staircase with her finger over her lips. “Shh,” she whispers. “Sit.” She motions to the step.
“What are you doing?” I ask as I squeeze in next to her.
She takes my hand in hers, intertwining our fingers. “Listening.”
“But why?”
“I’ll tell you later.” She shakes her head, putting her index finger back in front of her mouth.
