“Colorful,” Lucio says, finishing his brother’s sentence.
“I know a lot of people in the business,” her grandfather says.
“That’s not a lie,” Lucio says. “If anyone can help and make the entire thing disappear, it’s him.”
My eyebrows furrow as I stare at the older gentleman. He looks so kind and innocent, I’d never think he’d know how to get someone out of jail time. He looks more like the type of guy who’d be standing over the stove, making his famous meatball recipe.
“I’m sorry,” Lulu says to me from her father’s side. “I wish I’d never dragged you into this.”
“I don’t regret it,” I tell her, staring her straight in the eyes. She’s so damn pretty. Too pretty for me, really. But more than her beauty, it’s her sweet silliness that has a choke hold on my cock. “I’d do it again ifgiven the chance. I’ll always do whatever it takes to protect you and your family, Lou.”
It suddenly hits me that all three men are staring at me. I swallow, wishing I’d kept those words for later. They were a little too heartfelt for public consumption, but I don’t think for a moment that they’re looking down on me for what I did. At least not anymore, now that they know more of the story.
“Solid response,” Vinnie says, tapping his finger against the table. “I approve.”
“Not too bad,” Lucio says, “but also a little too much.”
“Dad, stop,” Lulu says to her father. “Oliver is a nice guy.”
“Obviously,” her father replies. “Not many men would feel the same way he does. They’d be filled with regret when facing time behind bars for something that they didn’t need to do.”
“What kind of shit man wouldn’t need to do anything when they saw someone in pain?” I ask.
“Plenty,” her father answers. “And not a damn one would deserve to breathe the same air as her.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” her grandfather says as he shoos his son away from the side of the booth. “I need to get on this ASAP.”
Vinnie steps aside, letting his father get up. “The man has a fire under his ass.”
“Even in retirement, I don’t get much peace,” her grandfather says as he stands and stretches. “Someday, my old body will give out, and then what are you guys going to do?”
“Don’t say that, Grandpa,” Lulu tells him, her eyes carefully watching him as he moves.
I never knew my grandfather or grandmother on either side of my family. I can’t imagine being as old as I am now and still being able to hold a conversation with them. I would give almost anything to spend a small amount of time with any of them to learn about my family’s past and what makes me me.
“I’m not getting any younger, kiddo, but I’m not going anywhere yet except upstairs to make phone calls. Let me know if anything else happens,” he says to me.
“I will,” I promise him.
The door to the bar opens, and Zoey walks in, stiffening immediately as her eyes land on Lulu, me, Lucio, and Vinnie. I know what she’s thinking immediately. We told them, but we didn’t. I never would, and I know Lulu would rather go to her grave than tell Zoey’s business.
“Hey, baby,” Lucio says, waving over his younger daughter.
Fuck.This isn’t good. If the man puts two and two together, he’s going to lose his absolute shit.
“Hey, Daddy,” Zoey says as she moves toward us at a slower pace than most people walk when excited to see someone. “What are you guys doing?” Her eyesmove to me, and I do my best not to give anything away.
“Nothing, Zo. Oliver got himself into a bit of trouble.”
Zoey’s eyes flash with panic, and she nearly trips over her own feet.
“Nothing huge,” Lulu says, trying to send signals to her sister to chill out. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
“What kind of trouble?” Zoey asks as I slide over, making a spot for her in the booth.
“He was arrested for getting into a fight,” Lulu explains, doing her best to make it seem like Zoey’s clueless about everything.
“Arrested?” Zoey’s mouth hangs open as her gaze moves to me. “When?”
