“Already does,” Lucio mutters under his breath so quietly, Vinnie doesn’t hear.
Thank fuck.
“I made reservations at the best steakhouse in town, and then we’re going to a gentlemen’s club.”
“Dude, I said no strip clubs,” I remind him, grinding my teeth together to stop myself from yelling at him.
He shakes his head quickly. “I know, fucker. It’s not that kind of ‘gentlemen’s club.’” He uses air quotes on the last two words. “It’s truly a club for men only. We can play cards, hang out and smoke cigars, or whatever the fuck we want to do without having to worry about women bothering us.”
The Vinnie from a year ago wouldn’t have worried about attention from women. He never would’ve made a plan that involved only men. Never. But that’s what love does. For once, he’s no longer thinking with his dick, even though that’s where his love apparently started.
I slowly shake my head. “You really are whipped, huh?”
My statement earns me a middle finger. “You can fuck right off. Every guy around this table is whipped in some fashion.”
“Unless you’re like James,” Morgan says with a bit of laughter.
I’ve missed Morgan.
I remember the day he left for boot camp, waving to us over his shoulder as he walked inside the hotel, ready to join the army. Aunt Fran couldn’t bear to take him herself, and instead of my mother going alone with her, she piled us into the car to wish our cousin farewell. Never did I think he wouldn’t come back. I always thought he’d be a Southsider again and come back into the fold. The guy had a restless spirit, though, especially after he was a SEAL.
James throws up his hands. “Oh, no. Don’t think I’m the boss all the time. Izzy can hold her own.”
“Uh-huh.” Anthony laughs and rubs his chin, eyeing his brother-in-law. “You let her whip your ass too? Or does she put you over her knee and spank you?”
I lean back in my seat, waiting for the fireworks to fly, or more likely, fists, as James’s eyes darken and focus on Anthony.
“Oh.” Vinnie moves his chair a little closer to the table. “You two get down like that?” He waggles his eyebrows, totally amused.
James tips his chin up, turning to Vinnie across the table with a completely straight and unreadable face. “Why don’t you ask her? I’m sure she’d be more than happy to answer.”
“James, are you trying to end his pro career before he’s really had a chance to get started?” Thomas presses his fingers against his temples. “I swear to fuck, Izzy will eat him for dinner.”
Vinnie chuckles. “Izzy’s a little thing, isn’t she? I think I can hold my own.”
Laughter erupts around the table because everyone knows Izzy’s trouble with a capital T. She may look small, but fuck, not even I would mess with her.
“Then ask her,” James tells Vinnie with a smirk.
“Fuck.” Vinnie runs his hand back through his hair and nods, playing it cool. “I will, man.”
“Don’t.” I place my hand on Vinnie’s arm. “Don’t fuck with Izzy. Like, for real. If you like your balls in any way, don’t say shit to her.”
“Come on.” Vinnie doesn’t look convinced. “I’ve put up with Daphne for years.”
“Daphne’s a cream puff compared to Izzy, kid. Don’t fuck with her, or you’ll get bit,” Joe tells Vinnie, pointing his finger at him to drive the point home. “I’m dead serious. We taught her to fight—and I don’t mean like a girl. She’s South Side one hundred percent. She will not hesitate to kick your ass.”
“Our ride is here,” Lucio says, ticking his chin toward the doorway and climbing quickly to his feet. “Let’s get a move on. I’m starving.”
“Roger’s meeting us later. He had to stay at the office late,” Vinnie says, jamming his phone into his pocket as he heads toward the door.
“Good,” I say. I’m happy my soon-to-be brother-in-law will be joining us. Technically, he’s not my brother-in-law at all, but what else would I call him? He’s like a brother to Tilly, the only other family besides us she has. Therefore, he’s one of us too.
I lock up the bar as the guys pile into the party bus. I’m happy we decided to close down for a few nights to celebrate, opting to spend time with the family over anything else.
In the end, that’s all we have anyway.
Money isn’t important, things are irrelevant, but family is the only other constant besides time.
