Chapter Nine
Suds
By the time I arrive home, it’s almost dawn. I circle the block and inch into a parking place in front of Mrs. Murphy’s bakery. Exhausted, I trudge the few blocks home but as I approach my building, a couple of armed goons with attitude step in my way.
One flashes a knife. “Stop right there.”
Eye on his weapon, I consider breaking his hand but I’m tired and don’t fancy another trip downtown. “Don’t tell me. You work for Vincent?”Sam’s uncle Vinny. Fuck.
“Yeah, what of it?” The second pulls a gun.
Oh, for the love of God. What the fuck is he up to now?I’m about to lose it when out walks the devil himself.
He motions his meathead to back off. “He’s not the killer, you morons. He’s the bum who married my niece.”
Once they’re clear, he turns to me and opens the door, all gentleman-like. “Get off the fucking street. You stupid or somethin’?”
Holy shit.Inside, my whole damn staircase is lined with people from bottom to top, a lot of whom I’ve never met. I do recognize Sam’s cousin, Joey, halfway up the stairs as I squeeze through the mob.
“Excuse me, y’all. I used to live here?”
They refuse to budge until he shouts out, “That’s Sammy’s boyfriend. Let him through.”
“Husband.”Good, God. I married her almost a year ago.
While I mutter under my breath, the crowd parts which allows me to confront the jerk who lived downstairs when I first started dating Sam.
“Is my wife alright?” For a moment, my heart stops, wondering if this is some weird Italian wake.
“She’s fine, no thanks to youz.” Menacing dark eyes meet mine. “You let anything happen to my favorite cuz and I will kill you.”
“Good to know.” I take the rest of the steps two at a time and when I shove at the busted top door, it barely budges.
Fuck.My patience snaps. “Y’all better let me in.”
“Yo! Let him through.” Joey whistles through his teeth, the door gives, and I’m suddenly eye-to-eye with my father-in-law, Police Chief Mike Russo.
“What the hell is going on, sir?” A former SEAL, I remind myself I got discipline. Otherwise, I’d shove every damn one of them to hell. I want to see my wife.
Her dad pushes me aside. “My daughter has a hit on her. While you’ve been dicking around, we’ve been keeping her safe.”
My fists clench at my side as his words sink in, I have a sneaking suspicion her hit has a lot more to do with Mike’s re-election than anything my girl could’ve done. None-the-less, rather than become permanently uninvited to Sunday dinner, I shut my trap, and stomp into my own goddamn kitchen.
Sam’s Aunt Marion, her cousins Rose and Mia, as well as my mother-in-law all sit at my conference room table. They glare at me like I’m some kind of pond scum.
On account of bein’ brought up right, I smile politely. “Can y’all tell me where I can find my wife?”
Cat butts her head against my ankles so I lean over and pat her head as Rose rises. The pretty brunette points to the bathroom.
“In there.”
“Thank you kindly.” After waving to a small horde of kids watching my wide-screen TV, I knock. “Sugar, it’s me. Can I come in?”
“Suds?” She cracks open the door, tugs me in by my shirt collar, and slams the wood shut.
My cock goes nuts at her heated kiss until I remember where I am and the crowd outside. “What the fuck is going on, babe?”
“Frankie called.” With a shrug and a blink, she states this like it explains everything.
