“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.”
“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.”
“It’s not so bad here,” Daphne tells Izzy. “The neighborhood’s changed a lot since you guys moved away. Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have felt safe in the bar every night, but now it’s neighborhood hipsters and businessmen mostly filling the place at night.”
“I don’t care if the bar is on the Magnificent Mile, sweetheart, it’s still Chicago, and people are hungry for cash. Your business is no less dangerous than theirs.” Izzy’s eyes move from the men to Daphne.
Daphne shakes her head. “They’re looking for trouble. There’s a big difference.”
“What’s going on?” Max asks as she sits down next to Izzy.
Angel tips her head toward the guys who are still huddled tight and talking low. “They’re cooking up something. Race says Morgan’s on the hunt.”
Max groans and immediately moves her fingers to her temple before she begins to rub the tips in small circles against her skin. “Can’t we ever just have a vacation?”
“That’s a negative,” Izzy states flatly.
