‘insert knife emoji’ Dead.
“She didn’t seem too happy to see me.”
“Mom, because you just showed up out of nowhere. I don’t think she’s ready for this.”
“You’re my son, Leo,” she says sternly. “I should be able to see you when I want.”
I sigh and lay my head on the seat. It isn’t because I don’t want to see her; I missed her like crazy. But it isn’tsafearound me right now, and I can’t tell her that.
We drive to Les’ house in silence, and she gasps when we pull up to the gate. “I thought your brother’s house was huge.”
Their house is huge, but Alessa’s house puts it to shame. It’s everything you think a mansion is except bigger. I fell in love with this house the first time I saw it. It feels more like a castle on the outside and modern on the inside. The exterior is light and dark brick, with different size column-looking towers lining the front and big bay windows.
“What did you say she does again?” Mom asks, getting out of the car.
She’s the leader of the Italian Mafia.“She owns several casinos, restaurants, and clubs.”
“At twenty-five? That’s impressive,” Mom says, and I can’t tell if she’s buying my bullshit or not. She could always tell when I was lying.
I lead her up behind Gage and Les when Les opens the front door. I bet a thousand bucks she told Ryder, Dex, and Holden to make themselves scarce.
Gage takes Mom’s hand and hooks it on his arm, leading her to the living room. I shake my head when I see her look at him like he’s the biggest gentleman she’s ever met. But it also makes my heart swell that he’s trying to impress my mom.
“Would you like anything to drink?” Alessa asks when Mom sits on the couch beside Gage.
“No, dear, I’m fine,” Mom answers, pulling me down on her other side.
“I’ll be right back,” Alessa says, hightailing it from the room.
“Go,” Mom says with a smile when I turn to her, getting ready to tell her I need to fix this.
I pop off the couch and catch a flash of herblack hair walking into the kitchen. I follow her in, and she rounds on me before I take a second step.
“Your mom?” she hisses. “We are in the middle of a war, Leo.”
“I know! I didn’t invite her here,” I hiss back. “I’m just as surprised as you.”
She punches my arm. “This is not how I wanted to meet your mother,” she says, swiping her hand over her body. She’s wearing a shirt that I’m pretty sure is mine and cotton shorts, but she looks beautiful to me.
“Wait,” I say when it hits me, “You would have been okay with meeting her?”
She gives me a look like I’m stupid. “Yes, eventually, when it isn’t turning into World War three around here.” She runs her hand through her hair. “What does she know?”
“About?”
She gives me that look again. “About us, Leo. About the guys. About you and Gage. What does she know? I need to know what not to say.”
“I’m going to tell her everything,” I tell her, taking her hands. “I just didn’t want to do it over the phone. I guess there’s no time like the present.”
“She’s going to hate me,” Alessa says sadly.
“She will never hate you, Baby. She’ll love you as much as I do. She’ll just have to get used to the idea.”
She gives me a doubtful look but squeezes my hands. “Just give me a minute to get my heart out of my fucking stomach, and I’ll be back out there.”
I grab her face kissing those pouty lips. “I love you, Baby.”
She scrunches her nose up. “I love you too.”
